“How can you understand, you don’t have a mother.”

Shit, that was totally mean. A look of hurt fills her eyes and I feel incredibly bad.

“Sorry,” I whisper, bowing my head.

“No, you’re right.” I can hear the bitterness in her voice. “I don’t have a mother, how would I know.”

I crawl to her on my knees, it hurts a tad bit. I cup her face and turn her head to me. The tears are brimming in her eyes.

“I’m really, really sorry. It was totally mean and unfair. You can slap me now.”

She smiles weakly. “I’m not your mom.”

I have to resist the urge to kiss her and I sense she feels the same. I have to keep my confession for tonight.

“So, why are you still here?” I ask her.

“Uhm… because Ken is gonna bring us lunch?”

I laugh – that’s so Bette. “I mean, after I said that.”

“I’m your friend, we agreed to be friends. I’m not gonna walk away every time you say something that sucks.”

“Thank you.”

Ken comes out again, carrying two plates. He can’t hold his laughter.

“Sorry,” he hiccups. “It’s just… you know… really funny, how you’re sitting there.”

I roll my eyes and sit down on my ass.

“Hey – who said you could sit like that?” He says as he hands a plate to Bette.

“I’m not gonna sit on my knees to eat, Ken,” I say as I take some chicken.

“Right,” he says, sitting down. “About tonight. How are we gonna do it?”

Bette looks confused. “How are we gonna do what?”

“Tina has to go to the gig,” Ken explains. “I mean, you guys need a singer, right?”

“Yeah, but how are you gonna do it?”

“That’s what we’re going to discuss. Look, I’ve thought a bit.”

“You can do that?” I ask in surprise. He slaps me playfully on the shoulder.

“So, as I said, I was thinking. Is there anyone you can call to pick you up?”

I think for a second. “Yeah, Shane.”

“Great, Bette, can you ring her when I’m finished explaining my plan?”

“Sure.”

“I still can’t believe it. Ken with a plan,” I shake my head.

“Easy, without my part in it you’re nowhere.”

“Alright, alright. Go on.”

“About an hour before you want to leave, you go to mom and propose to work in the garden a bit. You know how she hates doing that. She’ll also be glad that you propose it yourself. Then I tell her we could go and do some shopping -”

“You’re going to shop with mom? Are you insane?”

“Just the supermarket. And anything for my little sis.”

“What do you want in return?”

“For now, nothing. Can a brother not just help his sister out?”

“Yeah, yeah. So, go on.”

“Okay. As soon as mom and I leave, you call Shane. She will come and get you, and off you are.”

“And if mom comes back and I’m not there? She’ll know where I am and she’ll come and get me.”

“No. Keith and Leisha have called you to baby-sit last minute and you had to go immediately.”

“Who are Keith and Leisha?”

“Leisha is the sister of a very good friend of mine.”

“And if she wants to call them? And she’ll be mad if I leave the garden a mess.”

“This is where Bette comes in.” He looks at the brunette. “I’ll try to keep my mother busy as long as possible while you quickly put the equipment away.”

“Sure,” Bette shrugs.

I get up and hug Ken. “You’re a genius!

He laughs and pats my back. “I know. Now I’m back inside, gimme those plates.”

When he’s gone, Bette looks at me. “Your brother’s really cool.”

“I wish he was always like that,” I sigh.