Bette paced back in forth in Tina’s room. “I have to tell him don’t I?” Tina watched on like a tennis match. “Invite him to meet your friends’ parents, you don’t have to tell him about us until you are ready, don’t listen to my mum it’ll be fine”
“Yeah sure… I have a really bad feeling about this Tina, I know something bad will happen” Bette bit her lip her dad barely spoke to her let alone other people, this could be one awkward evening.

———————————————————————

Tina prepared her parents for Melvin’s presence that night whilst Bette hoped that her father would be nothing but polite to them. Tina’s parents were rich, friendly and outgoing people whilst Melvin was old fashioned, arrogant and kept to himself, Bette prayed he wouldn’t embarrass her. “Melvin… Hi. Welcome to our home” Tina’s dad extended his hand to greet him. “Nice to meet you”

“Hi Melvin” He was quickly served with a drink and shown to his seat at the table. “It’s quite the home you have here”
“Thank you” Tina’s dad smiled, sitting next to Tina. “Do you really need all these rooms?”
“Daddy” Bette knew this was only the first of many comments. “Um, so Melvin Bette tells me you are into photography?” Tina’s mum quickly changed the topic. “I have a great collection. Bette has taken quite the shine to it” Bette squeezed her father’s arm. They were able to talk about his collection until dinner came.

Soon after, the maid brought out dinner, which Melvin was quick to comment on the fact that they even had a maid. “Tina, are you looking to attending university nearby or outer state next year?” Tina didn’t know how to answer she didn’t want to appear uneducated.
“Dad I don’t think we should…” Bette could see Tina begin to panic, “Don’t be rude Betty, eat your dinner”

“Um, I’m thinking of studying under my parents wing, maybe film or theatre. I’m not too sure what I want to do yet”
“Oh… you aren’t going to college then” Tina shot Bette an awkward glance; Bette mouthed ‘I’m sorry’.  
“Bette, what about you?” Bette just stared at Tina. Who thought this would have been a good idea??. “I’ve looked into many Art schools but they are all overly priced…” Bette was too afraid to finish her sentence. “…but she just accepted a traineeship offer at the Whitney museum”
“You did!” Tina wanted to hug and kiss Bette; she knew it was Bette’s dream to study Art.

“I’ve never heard of that museum” Tina’s dad questioned.
“It’s a famous museum in New York” Tina’s smile quickly faded. “New York?” her question was almost a whisper. “Tina, I wanted to tell you” tears were threatening to fall but Bette held back, how did this all unravel so quickly? “When Bette? The other day when I said that we should tell our parents about us dating that was the perfect time to tell me!” Tina left the table in tears.
“Dating..?” Melvin threw his napkin on the table storming out.
“I think you should give Tina some space right now” her mother could barely look at her; today had been too much for her to deal with also. Bette walked slowly home, she knew the lecture that was coming next.

When Bette went home she found a few of her clothes outside on the lawn and the door locked.