Some kind of wonderful

Chapter 25

“Thank you so much for bringing me the trunk “ Tina said to her mother as they started to unpack it. Kate had packed as much of Tina’s clothes as were left and had also packed some of her mementos like photograph albums and trophies.
“Its okay – I know you were sneaking things out “
“Devious of me I know – I am sorry “
“I don’t blame you for not wanting a scene”
Tina picked up a trophy she had won during her final year in High School and looked at it fondly
“If she would just talk to me like I am an adult mom. I don’t know what she has a problem with. She used to like Bette – she took us on holiday together – she knew and accepted that we slept together  – is this because she doesn’t like Bette or is there something else going on here “
“What do you mean ?”
“I don’t know – Bette and I talk about it a lot – subject “ what has crawled up Emma’s ass and died “
Kate smiled as she put some of Tina’s best dresses on coat hangers and hung them up in the newly refurbished wardrobe.
“As I said earlier sweetie – you have to concentrate on the here and now and the future. No good ever comes of dwelling in the past”
“But its only  through what has happened in the past that I can find out what the hell has got into mom”
“Hey there “
Matthew came into the room “ How’s it going  — lots of progress I see “
“Hey dad – has your new hot plate arrived yet ?”
“Yes so I am keeping out of the way while its put into place. I am in danger of micro-managing this project way too much. These guys have created a lot of restaurants and the last thing they need is me around getting in the way “
“You want that we find you something to do ?”
“No thank you – I am going out shopping – but I have instructions to bring you something”
“What ?”
“Come and see “
Tina and Kate followed Matthew into the living room  –  there was a large box near one of the chairs – it was large but not huge and had the markings of a local store that sold all range of household goods
“For me ?” Tina said
Matthew nodded “ For you from a certain trainee criminalist who was feeling bad that she couldn’t be here with you as you moved  in but she wanted you to have certain items”
“Oh wow “
 “And she wanted me to give you this “
Matthew handed Tina a card – she tore it open and read what was inside. She rubbed tears from her eyes
“Dare we ask ?” Kate asked looking at Matthew
“Oh God – she is amazing” Tina said reading the card again
“If its not going to shock us you could share it with your mom and dad “ Matthew said.
Tina rubbed tears from her eyes
“it says  – My darling Tina –  your body is what makes you sexy, your smile is what makes you pretty but your personality is what makes you beautiful. Thank you for coming back into my life. May we have lots of happy nights in your new home  – B”
Kate smiled “That is very sweet “
“Nice quote  – not one I think I could get away with “ Matt said
“She is wonderful”
“She obviously adores you “ Kate said “ So are you going to open the box ?”
Tina pulled off the parcel tape and started to remove items – a pack of tea-towels, a box of mugs with a mug tree to put them on
“Very practical “ Kate said nodding at Matthew
“She knows what is on my list and she’s just gone and got them – what is this – some coasters  – typical Bette. “
By the time Tina had emptied the box there were a set of kitchen utensils  plus a container for them, plastic boxes for storing food in, a bundle of towels and a couple of large cathedral candles. Tina was shaking her head and smiling
“God she’s wonderful – these are all the things she knows I want and aren’t expensive”
“This lot hasn’t been cheap “ Kate assessed “ All this stuff adds up”
“I know – wow “ Tina seemed genuinely taken-aback “I am so lucky to have great parents and a great girlfriend “
“We all just want you to be happy “ Matthew said
“I am  – thank you – I am the luckiest girl in New York to have everything going for me that I have. I don’t take it for granted “
“You are very special to all of us “ Kate said
“Well now I know what is in the box I will go and shop and probably head home for a couple of hours. I will be back later”
Tina hugged her father which made Kate smile. Matthew left and Tina looked at her new possessions
“This is so typically Bette “
“They are all very practical – romantic gestures are wonderful but practical is something that comes in handy when you are starting out “
Tina picked up the knife set “ Just as well we didn’t have these when it was world war three over the blanket boxes. “
“Fun was it ?”
“I kept making a mess of it and I was getting really frustrated. You know Bette – well you don’t really – but she is so much of a perfectionist – she would rather do something herself than see anyone else struggle. She kept telling me she would do it and I – well I guess I turned into Emma   –  this was a point of honour – I didn’t want her to do these bloody boxes”
“How did the painting go ?”
“Not one of my natural skills “ Tina said
“No ?”
“In fact I made an utter mess of the walls in here  – I have never done painting before”
“Its not as easy as it looks “ Kate admitted “That’s why we get someone in to do it”
“Apparently in the Porter household when its decorating time everyone mucks in” – hence Bette’s skills”
“Families are different – if its any help the reason we don’t do our own decorating is how many rows your mother and I had when we painted our first apartment”
Tina laughed “Now that is ironic as well as funny “
“Lets have some more coffee and cookies and I will tell you all about it “