Michelle blinks, bringing her attention back to the mirror. She uncaps her lipstick and carefully traces the muted rose color across her lips, pressing them together before checking the result. She turns her face slightly from side to side, brushes a little powder along her nose, then gives her hair one final adjustment. She knows Bette doesn’t give a shit. These days, her ex-wife barely looks at her unless they’re discussing Mickey, and even then, her attention rarely lingers. Still, Michelle can’t seem to help herself. She wants to look good when she sees her.

“Ridiculous,” she mutters with a faint, self-conscious smile. She snaps the compact shut and slips it back into her purse.

After taking one last breath, Michelle opens the car door and steps out into the cool evening air. Her fitted dark pants flatter her slender legs and gently curving hips as she straightens her blouse, adjusts her purse strap, and locks the car.…

***

Inside The Planet, the evening crowd has settled into a comfortable rhythm. Soft music drifts through the room, mingling with the low hum of conversation, occasional bursts of laughter, and the gentle clinking of glasses. The popular spot is busy but relaxed, with couples enjoying dinner, friends catching up over drinks, and a few familiar faces lingering near the bar.

At a table near the middle of the room, Bette and Tina sit side by side, with the children across from them. Two glasses of red wine sit on the table as they leisurely look over their menus.

Tina sips her wine, then lowers her menu and glances at Angie. “Sweetie, what do you want to eat?”

Angie barely gives the question a second’s thought. “Mac and cheese and chicken tenders!” she announces excitedly.

Without lifting her eyes from the menu, Bette silently mouths the words right along with her daughter, timing them perfectly. When Angie finishes, Bette smiles triumphantly and glances at Tina.

Tina catches the little performance and smirks. “Of course,” she says, shaking her head affectionately at Angie.

Mickey raises his little hand as though he’s waiting to be called on in class. “Spaghetti!” he announces proudly.

Bette and Tina both turn toward him and smile.

“Well, look at you, raising your hand and everything,” Tina says, laughing.