Chapter 3–Philadelphia, October 31, 1975

“Katie?” Viv Porter called from the kitchen.  “How was rehearsal?

Kit could hear her mother’s voice getting closer.  She reached for Bette’s hand and began to pulling her up the stairs.

“It was great, Mom.”

“Katie,” Viv said sternly.

Kit stopped and turned to face her mother and said evenly, “Bette and I are going to my room.  We are getting ready for tonight.”

“Hello, Mrs. Porter.  It is very nice to see you again,” Bette said nervously.

“Good afternoon, Bette.  Excuse us while I have a word with Katie,” Viv replied without warmth.  “In the kitchen, Katie.”

“Baby Sis, head up to my room.  I’ll be just a minute, and I’ll bring us some soda.”

While Bette went upstairs, Katie followed her mother into the kitchen.

“What?”

“Did the rehearsal go well?”

“Yes.”

After a few beats of silence, “You’ve worked so hard for your chance with this band.  Why would you risk that because you feel sorry…”

“MOM,” Kit said testily.  “Frank said it was fine.  It went OK.  She was sort of a mascot.  She got us coffee, ran for a pizza, it was fine.”  Frank told her she could come back anytime.”

“Did you say she was going with you tonight?”

“Frank said she could.”

“Your father knows it’s at the Lakeland.”

Kit nodded.

“Hell must have frozen over,” Viv shook her head.  “Katie, what is Bette wearing tonight?”

“Shit.”  Kit panicked, but thought that with some luck, they could drop by Melvin’s and get something for Bette to wear.

An hour later, Kit was rushing around her room.  Kit had been backup singer for almost a year, but this was her first time as the band’s lead singer and she thought it was only partly because she was now Frank’s girlfriend.  She had bought a new dress for the occasion, and her cousin Patrice was due any minute to help her with her hair.

Kit hummed as she rushed. Bette watched, fascinated, and began humming along with Kit.  They both soon began singing the songs that Kit had taught Bette, harmonizing in arrangement Kit had invented.  Their first official duet had been for Father’s Day when Kit improvised a present for Melvin because she had lost all of her money in her first poker game.