The next week passed as it did before.  Stevie was scarce but as usual she was chasing women when she was around.  She and Shane would compete to see who could get more women in one night.  It felt like old times for them. .Stevie would be busy but drop everything for Shane and no one else.  Shane did the same for her.  They were all getting comfortable with life with Stevie.  She was still standoffish with them and kept them at arms length but the time they did spend with her was enjoyable enough.  Stevie was honest.  Too honest at times, a heated argument arising here and there but for the most part you could deal with her.  One night as Stevie had her nightly cig and thinking session Bette was coming home.

Stevie:  “Hey there.”

Bette:  “Hi:

Stevie:  “You’re in late.  Hot date?”

Bette:  “No.  Saw the baby.”

Stevie:  “How’s the bambino?”

Bette:  “She’s good.”

She started to go inside.  She seemed down.

Stevie:  “Hey.”

Bette:  “Yeah.”

Stevie:  “Going to bed?”

Bette:  “Not now.”

Stevie:  “Mind?”

She motioned towards the house.

Bette:  “Sure.”

They entered the living room and Stevie sat down.  Bette sat across from her.  Again grey boring into brown. 

Stevie:  “Am I making you uncomfortable?”

Bette:  “No.”

Silence

Stevie:  “Tell me a secret.”

Bette:  “A secret?”

Stevie just nodded.

Bette:  “What do you want to here?”

Stevie:  “What do you want to tell me?”

Bette thought for a second.  She did have some things on her mind. 

Bette:  “I miss her.”

Stevie already knew who she was but she’d figured she’d give her a chance to talk about it on her own.

Bette:  “I fucked up.  I practically kidnapped her?”

Steve:  “How do you kidnap your own kid?”

Bette:  “Well technically she’s not mine.  Tina had her and I don’t have parental rights.  Leagally.  And Tina won’t give them to me now.”

Stevie:  “Can you blame her?”

Silence

Bette:  “I guess not.  I’m lucky she lets me see her at all.”

Stevie still just sat and looked at her.