A Single Mom Meets Someone New Ch 86

Bette was waiting for Tina in the living room. 

“Where are the kids?” Tina asked siting her briefcase down in the chair. 

“I asked Sarah to take them over to Kit’s early so we could talk.” Bette patted the sofa next to her.

“Is it that bad?” Tina sat. 

“Yes and no. Gillian is for lack of a better word scared.” Bette walked over to a painting hanging on the wall. 

“Scared?” Tina pulled off her jacket. Bette opened the safe and pulled out a scrapbook full of newspaper clippings. 

“Did Leo ever say anything about Gillian after his mother died?” Bette asked. 

“No not really he was so busy. Bette what’s this all about?” Tina asked. Bette sat down and opened the scrapbook. 

“You know Gillian better than any other person in the world with the exception of maybe Skylar or Helena. Look through this book and tell me what you see in her face.” Bette flipped to the first page.

It was a event Gillian attended just after she moved in with her Grandmother. She was happy smiling full of life. Tina flipped through the pages studying each one. She watch Gillian’s face go from happy go lucky to the complete opposite. 

“Gillian said after her granny died things got really bad.” Bette said. 

“I knew things were rocky but I didn’t know how bad.” Tina ran her fingers over one of the clippings. “She called begging to come home. I thought it was just because she didn’t want the responsibility anymore. Oh god I told her to suck it up and be an adult.” Tina cried. 

“It’s not you’re fault. It’s not anyone’s fault.” Bette held Tina. 

“I have to see her.” Tina said. 

“I never figured that Gillian would be jealous of Victoria from so far away but she was. She said she called begging to come home or just wanted some kind of reassurance from you or me, but Victoria called for you and dismissed her. That was her breaking point. She just gave up. You can see it in her face. I still see it. Skylar went to try and pull her out of the darkness but it didn’t work. It backfired. Gillian pushed her away. Gillian didn’t say what spurred it but they had a huge blow up and it ended. Neither one of them have seen each other or spoken for that matter. I know Gillian blames herself. She made me promise not to tell you and for me or you or anyone else to treat Skylar any different. She still loves her I know she does. I think we owe her that don’t you.” Bette said.