Bette sat at the table momentarily stunned, she was at a loss for words between trying not to cry and trying not to lash out at her father in a public place she was momentarily rendered speechless.

Kit placed a hand over Bette’s hand.

“Baby sis, are you ok?”

Bette nodded her head.

“Daddy is that how you really fee? Is that what you really think” Bette softly asked

“Elizabeth you should know by now I always say what I think” Melvin replied as she cut his steak everyone at the table had stopped eating except for him.

Just then Mindy walked to the table.

“Tin…I mean Ms. Kennard sent this with her regrets, she would like you enjoy this bottle of champagne”

“How nice of her” Melvin said sarcastically

“I think we’re almost done with our dinner, can you please bring me the check” Melvin smirked

“It has already been taken care of by Ms. Kennard, I hope you’ve enjoyed your dinner.” With that Mindy walked away.

“Daddy, How could you be so uncaring so insensitive” Bette softly said

“Elizabeth I’m only looking for your well being”

“I’m old enough to look out for myself, you should want me to be happy”

“I’m thinking about your future, she will leave you when something better comes along, I see it every day in the line of business I’m in you two are too different your incompatible”

“You think being in a loveless marriage, with children none the less, is better for me, you think being married to a MAN is better for my future”

“Nothing personal Marcus”

“Hey Bette don’t worry about me” Marcus smiled

“Yes, yes I do and I will not change my opinion just to make you and your FRIEND, comfortable.”

“Daddy I never once asked you to change your opinion or your beliefs I just want you to respect mine, I love her, I love her with all my heart and right now she makes me happy and that’s all you should want for me my happiness whether it be what choose to study, do for a living or choose to love, as a parent you should want to see your child happy”

There was silence nobody saying anything.

Bette got up.

“I have to go after her, she loves me” Bette smiled

“Damn girl it’s about time, took you long enough to come to your senses.” Kit said

Bette started to leave the table, she walked back and grabbed the bottle of champagne and took it with her.

“I’m sorry, it’s Mindy right?”

“Yes, yes it is”

“Hi I’m Bette, I was wondering if you can call me a cab please”

“Sure thing Bette”

Mindy made a call and let Bette know it was on the way and should be here shortly.

“Mindy can I ask you a question?”

“Sure”

“How do you know Tina?”

Mindy smiled, she knew Bette was jealous

“We went to Stanford, together we shared a dorm for a while. We lost touch after graduation, but fortunately for me and my dad we ran into each other again she leased this building to my dad when no one else would, he had a dream to open this restaurant and nobody would give him the time of day except for Tina, when we became successful she sold it to him”

Bette smiled

“You must be really special to her” Mindy said

“Why do you say that?”

“I can tell by the way she looked at you” Mindy smiled

“You like her don’t you?” Bette asked

“I’ll he honest, I used to have a crush on her but now she more like a sister, she’s very special”

Bette smiled

“Yeah she is”

“Bette there’s your cab, I hope you and Tina come back for a more romantic dinner I can set it up for you two” Mindy winked

“I might just take you up on that offer” Bette waved as she got into the cab.