"People break up, I don’t know that a legal document has much to do with it," Tina was surprised at the direction Bette decided to take their conversation.

"So you don’t think it would have made a difference if we were legally married? Do you think we would have tried harder?"

Tina took an uncharacteristically large drink from her wine to steel herself for what was shaping up to be an intimate look at their past.

"I’ve heard people say it’s different when you’re married. That you feel there’s more community support for the institution of it all. But as for us – who knows. I thought we did our best for who we were then," Tina said.

"And who were we then?"

"New parents," Tina replied. "Caught up in all the changes that come with motherhood."

"Lots of good came from our time together," Bette said.  "Not the least of which is Angelica."

"Why so melancholy about ‘relationships’, Bette?" Tina asked. "At least you have one."

They made eye contact and Tina saw that Bette was subtly shaking her head in the negative.

"Oh, sorry, I didn’t know," Tina said. "How long?"

"We parted ways just over a month ago," Bette replied. "And obviously, Alice is not the reliable gossip she once was."

A long silence descended as Bette set her glass down and returned to preparing the asparagus for the grill. She finally mustered the courage to speak.

"I think it’s hard for anyone I have a relationship with to live up to what you and I had together," Bette said, looking over her shoulder to see how Tina would respond to this statement.

As she turned, she heard Tina speaking with Angelica in the den, barely audible with the television on.

"Fuck," Bette said under her breath. "What am I doing?"

******

Bette had finished serving up the meal and was seated at the head of the table. Tina walked in from the kitchen with the bottle of wine in her hand. She placed her free hand on Bette’s back, just between her shoulder blades, before leaning in to refill her glass. There was nothing incidental about the contact. But then it was as if she was reminded she was at a different point in time, and withdrew her hand quickly.

"Sorry," she said to no one in particular before stepping away to fill her own glass.

"It’s okay," Bette replied.

Angelica looked confused.

They focused the conversation on Angelica, avoiding entirely the topics they knew to be incendiary given their past. Soccer camp, school, room decor – all safe. It was all about Angelica. She was the only reason they found themselves together this evening. At least…that’s what they told themselves.

******

"Thanks again for dinner," Tina had her purse already slung over her shoulder in preparation for their departure. "We could have stayed to help clean up."

"Not necessary," Bette replied. "It won’t take any time at all."

Tina directed her next comment to Angie. "Have everything?"

"Yes, Mommy," she replied. She set her bag down on the floor to give Bette a hug goodbye. "Love you, Mom."

"Love you too, sweet pea," Bette said.

"Can we do this again sometime without making it such a big deal?" Angelica asked, glancing back and forth between the two of them.

"It wasn’t a big deal," Bette said with a smile. "It was fun to have a meal together, don’t you think?"

"Then how come I don’t remember doing it before now?" Angelica asked.

"She’s got us there," Tina said.

"We’ll do it more often," Bette promised.

"Next time is at our house," Tina affectionately ran her hand over the back of Angelica’s head and down her back. "Next time your Mom gets to be the lady of leisure like I was tonight."

"When will that be?" Angelica asked.

"Soon," Bette laughed. "But we don’t have to decide right now."

"Alright," Angelica grudgingly accepted this vague promise of a future dinner together.

They said their final goodnights before Tina and Angelica made their way down the stairs to Tina’s car. Bette waved goodbye from the top of the stairs as they backed out onto the residential street and drove out of sight. Out of sight, but never out of mind.

(tbc)