-Inside Bette’s house-

Tina: “Wow you have a beautiful home Bette”
Bette: “Thanks, would you like something to drink? A glass of wine?”
Tina: "Sure that would be great, thanks.”
Bette: “Ok why don’t you go sit in the living room. I’ll be right there”

Tina walk into the living room. She looked around and saw children’s DVDs by the TV and toys put neatly into one corner.  Bette came in with two glassed of wine and watched Tina take an inventory of the room, and saw her eye’s fall on a picture of a women and 3 children gathered around her, all with smiles on their faces.  Bette decided she better start talking before Tina starting thinking up more false ideas. She walked over to the couch, took a  seat and gestured for Tina to join her.

 
Bette: “So obviously there are kids that live with me, but they are not mine, they are my older sisters.  She has three, Emily who is 13, Zach is 9 and, Lauren is 5. They have been with me for almost a year now.”
Tina: looked over at Bette and saw sadness in her eyes. She nodded her head “Does your sister live here too?”
Bette: “No she was killed 10 months ago.  I have temporary custody of the kids.”
Tina: “Oh my god, Bette I’m so sorry. Gosh you must be….I mean I don’t know how you do it.  You seem so put together. I would have never guessed that you have 3 kids at home and just been through a death like that.”
Bette: “Well I guess that’s a compliment.  I’m sorry I didn’t tell you its just that it seems to be the only thing I talk about with everyone else in my life and I didn’t want to talk about it any more.”
Tina: “No I understand that’s fine. We don’t have to talk about it. But you know if you want to, I’m here.”
Bette: “Thanks Tina.”
Tina: “Can I just ask a question?”
Bette: “sure, you can ask I’m sure you have lots.”
Tina: “Well where is their father?”
Bette: “Um, well that’s where is gets ugly.  He killed my sister, and then himself. They were getting a divorce, he had cheated on her and it wasn’t working, but he went nuts and came to her house one morning and well….”
Tina: shocked “Oh Bette I don’t even know what to say. Those poor kids. I can’t even imagine. I….it’s just…..”
Bette: putting her hand on Tina’s “It’s ok, you don’t have to say anything.  There isn’t much to say.  But the kids are doing pretty well, they are amazing kids.”
Tina: “I’m sure they are.  Is that why you took the job at the college? So you could be home for them more?”
Bette: “Yea, I wanted to find something that let me bring them to school in the morning and pick them up.  I just wanted to be there more for them, and with my gallery work I didn’t have that.”
Tina: “Gosh Bette you are even more amazing then I thought possible.  Those Kids are so lucky to have you.”
Bette: blushing “I don’t know about that. I have screwed up so many times already. I think I’m more lucky to have them, they get me out of bed each morning.”
Tina: “So who is Mel?”
Bette: “Oh she is my brother in laws sister.  She is trying to get custody of the kids. She has taken me to court trying to get joint custody but I just don’t think that is what they need. They need a stable home and there is no way in hell I’m going to let that be their home.  Not after what her brother did, I just can’t” Bette is starting to get a bit emotional
Tina: taken Bette’s hand “I think you’re right, that seems so selfish of her to want to take them.”
Bette: “Yea, well I never really ever had a problem with her before but she is showing her true colors. They have been pretty callous. Anyway we went to court and I was giving temporary custody, but they have to spend ever other weekend over there and every Wednesday night for dinner, court ordered.”
Tina: “wow that seems like a lot. How do they ever get adjusted?”
Bette: “I know its too much, but I can’t do anything about it until I get full custody of them. Emily really hates it, and I feel bad that I can’t do anything, but I have no choice. I mean they are using the fact that I’m not married as a reason they should not be with me. I just have to be on my best behavior until this is all over.”
Tina: “Gosh Bette, well you seem to be doing really well and if you ever need anything, just let me know.”
Bette: smiling “thanks, now can we talk about something else?”
Tina: “of course!”
They girl chatted for another hour and killed a bottle of wine.  They were sitting with one leg curled under them so they could face each other and their knee’s were almost touching.  They giggled, and shared a small touch here and there while getting to know more about each other.  They were having a great time when Bette looked over at the clock.
Bette: “Oh, it’s almost two!”
Tina: “Oh wow, I should be getting home.”
Bette: “are you ok to drive?”
Tina: “ yea I’m fine.”  Getting up, and then falling back to the couch, giggling “or maybe not! I think I’ll call a cab and come get my car in the morning.”
Bette: “oh no you can stay here. I don’t know if I want you to try and stumble your way home. You can stay in my room and I’ll sleep in Em’s bed.”
Tina: “Are you sure?”
Bette: “yea come on.” She grabbed Tina’s hand to help her up.  They went to Bette’s room and she found Tina something to sleep in, and showed her where the bathroom was.  Once they were both changed, Tina was leaning on the door way of Bette’s room with Bette in the hallway.
Tina: “Hey Bette, I have one more question for you.”
Bette: “Ok”
Tina: “Why did you never tell me you are gay?”
Bette: smiling “I didn’t not tell you, I just didn’t really say anything about it.”
Tina: “Yea I noticed, why?”
Bette: “Because if I let you know for sure I didn’t know if I would be able to keep myself from asking you out and you have that rule about dating at work and I have a house of three children. And I didn’t want to mess up a friendship that I really enjoy.”
Tina: “oh ok, well you know sometimes its good to break your own rules. Goodnight” and with that Tina turned around and went into bed.  Leaving Bette to her own thoughts.