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Bette — Plan B; pt. 75
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This got me a small smile. I’m not sure if it was a smile, exactly, or a little more of a grimace. “You know, if we’re going to do this, we do need to support each other. Sometimes, that’s going to mean telling her things that she doesn’t necessarily want to hear.”
I want to say that I couldn’t tell her everything, but I couldn’t find a way to say this to Tina.
“I’ve told Jess that there are things in our past that are between us. It’s not the greatest answer, but for right now, I think it’s appropriate.”
“So from now on, we talk about these things first?”
This gets me a true smile. “Yes, please.”
“Okay.” I let out a deep breath.
She gives my hand a squeeze. “You did well.”
There was a Bette Porter that would have never questioned that she would do well. That Bette Porter never spent a few emotionally intense days alone with a teenager. “Thanks.”
“I didn’t envy your week.”
“Well, I did have one guiding principle.”
“And that was?”
“What would Tina do?”
Now I get a chuckle. I guess I’m on a roll. “Plus, as intense as things go, I have to say that I’m glad that I didn’t have anything with Jess close to what Jeri and her parents are going through.
Tina’s eyes widen. I wouldn’t be surprised if her life just flashed before them. “You have no idea how true that is.”
“No idea? I did grow up in a house with Kit.” It just blurted out. I didn’t mean to minimize Tina’s experiences, but sometimes, I just can’t find that internal censor.
Another squeeze. “I know. I’m sorry.”
I give her a smile. “But it’s a lot different experiencing it as the adult than as the younger sibling.”
An odd pained look passes over Tina’s face.
“What?”
“Sibling. Could you imagine another one?”
Another one? I’ve got to think that my wife’s a saint.
And then I curse myself for letting myself think of Tina in such terms. Baby steps, Porter. Keep on moving forward. Keep focused on the goal.
“Do you have plans for tomorrow evening?”
“Why?”
I could almost swear that Tina gave me a lascivious look.
“I thought that maybe you’d go out to dinner with me.”
“Maybe I would. And?” Tina gestures back over her shoulder.
“It is a family invitation.”
Again, I’m getting a better read on the body language, and know I hit the mark. “Okay, then.”
We head outside where Jess and Luis are giggling over something. I probably don’t want to know what, since our presence is just making them laugh harder.
“You coming back with us?”
Not a direct order. Tina’s lightening up a little. Or maybe she’d like a little alone time as well.
“I would be happy to see her home, Ms. Kennard.”
I’m sure you would, Luis. And I know just how you feel.
“Jess?”
The girl knows that Tina’s referring to her current restriction period. “Please, mom?”
But, I also think that Tina’s glad to have a little room to ease up. “Be home by ten?”
That earns big smiles for Tina all around. “Yeah. Thanks.”
I give a wave to the kids, and then start the slow stroll back to the house.
Once again, Tina slips her hand into mine. They still fit together so well. I used to joke that this was a sign, that it showed we belonged together.
Warm night. Strolling along with Tina. Can it get any better than this?
(tbc)
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Some of us don’t know about that?!?
they do belong together…great post…please post soon!
Even raising Jess as s single parent, Tina has the instinctual understanding that a united front must be presented if she and Bette are going to interact with Jess in any sort of authoritative manner. Jess is like any other teenager, she will seize the first opportunity to chip away at any crack in the parental foundation that she sees.
The crash course in parenting when Tina went away was a two way street. Being parented by Bette was as foreign to Jess as parenting in itself was to Bette. They were equally baptized by fire.
Bette knows that Tina is a package deal, and was smart enough to evince that by including Jess in the dinner invitation. However, I get the feeling that Tina is still testing the waters, subtly challenging Bette in hopes of assuaging her own insecurity in that regard.
Funny how they can share each other with ardent desire one moment, but falter when faced with something a simple as a chocolate smudge on the chin, the next. Sometimes they’re like watching two people dance that have two left feet and neither one knows how to lead.
I liked how Tina took away the onus of there being a ‘bad person’. This gives them a chance to inaugurate their new relationship on more equal footing.
I think that Luis is a very cleverly disguised Knight in Shining Armor. I also don’t think that is entirely lost on Tina, either. I suspect her compromise with Jess and her curfew is a tacit acknowledgment of that fact.
This chapter was very nicely written. I enjoyed the slightly voyeuristic feeling I got by how you used the window as both a barrier and a conduit for each of the couples. Superb.
Oh, I just had a wicked thought – if Luis brings Jess home and if they were to walk in on Bette and Tina having sex……….hee hee. Yeah, Jess would have a meltdown of sesmic proportions.
Sweet chapter. Bette is making progress.
WWTD? A good guide for Bette’s practice round as a parent. But the phrasing…P, it was perfect.
I hope I am wrong but I think Jess makes up a story to get Bette in troble in chapter 85 or she sees somthing and thinks Bette did something wrong. It makes sence because Tina would beleiv her daughter over Bette. Anyway I am speculating, can’t wait to see what happens. Great update.
I just have to laugh and post this comment after reading betteishot’s comments. Funny how that sounds just like me although there are still 2 more chapters for me to read.
Great story, pseud. I’ve enjoyed every single one of them and every single one of the POVs. Keep up the great work. We’ll be here waiting.
Now, back to reading…
Good chapter!
Let’s just forget about Chapter 85, then we could all heave a collective sigh.
Bette’s referring to Tina as her ‘wife’?
Thanks!
It could grt better,but Bette needs to gain more of Jess trust,she is a lot like Tina there. Got to give Bette credit she is taking a lot from Jess,after all she was not totally to blame. thanks
*sigh*; this post touched my heart; it’s so warm, soft and you did not forget anything you’ve said previously.
Like everyone else, I’m worried about chapter 85….can’t imagine how you plan to lead us down that road….
Enjoy life and remember us, waiting for you to share with us your wonderful story.
Thanks much!
lets just all close our eyes and think of a happy place. a place where chapter 85 was a nightmare, there’s a better theme song, dana isnt gonna die and shane n carmen will stick together. happy thoughts, people. happy thoughts.
im with albeez, btw.
it coould definitely get better…right?!…really hope jess would really give bette a chance!
I’m a one day at a time kind of a girl. This was a perfect post and I’m happy today b/c of it…thanks for time.
Now I’m worried about ch. 85 and I don’t even know what it’s about. But enough of that….I love this story and the way you present B, T and Jess. Thanks again.
How lucky and happy to meet the love of life!
could you please re-write chapter 85?????pleeeeeease..they fit so well together and things are going so well too..please let them have a chance as a family..great chapter P as always..
Thanx 4 the post, i’m very happy that i decided 2 read this story even though it took me a while to catch up since i started from the beggining, i would love 2 c them as a happy family.
Chapter 85 can be some sort of funky dream sequence! I have to agree with everyone else, it could get a bit better if Bette and Tina had an NC-17 chapter coming up? Thanks for the post and pleae continue on!
This was a great chapter…in fact, I forgot all about ch.85 until I skimmed over the comments. DRAT! NO! HAVE PITY! Bette’s doing so well, and Tina’s being so brave and cautious at the same time, and Jess is bending a little…
Okay, I’m just gonna have faith, pseud, that all will be well… (she says in hopeful, persuasive tones) :)
I haven’t commented before now, but this is a great story and I have to agree that I hope for better times in the next 9 chapters and a flashback in the 10th. Because I would hate to see Jess go ballistic on Bette if she hurt Tina again. It will be bad for everyone, especially Jess who I do believe would like to give Bette a second chance.
p – no. well yes, it can get better than this. naked bette and tina having sex. ;) but since were not there yet. no it cant. and damn you p, what the hell is chappy 85 for again. not enough angst with trying to win back tina and get jess to be in the same room and be civil. needed a challenge or something. you writers. agggghhhhh. this is such a great story. thanks girl.
great story Pseud. love the simple hand holding between B&T as a symbol of thrie love. It was great talking to you in chat. see you soon have a great day.
Oh, I do think it’s about to get better – wink, wink!
I’m with Techie please don’t let chapter 85 loom out there – have it be a bad dream please.
You know, no matter how long or how short your updates are they are always greatly appreciated and wanted. Poor Bette she is so walking on eggshells, but she’s doing okay. Nice to see Tina trying to semi lighten things a bit by asking why was Bette taking all the blame, and lets not refer to anyone as the “bad person”. You kow she was just cutting Jess some slack, besides that way she gets more alone time with Bette. This story could never be too long, its always a joy to read, always a feel good story even with the ups and downs, except, yes thats right can’t let it go chp. 85. That has got to be a mistake, a dream, be fixed in chp. 86 whatever but we cannot come all this way to have things fall apart, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Were sorry for all the additional pressure we add to your already hectic life. Will be ready when you are.
so…psued…..I have spent about the last week reading all of your chapters in all of your stories. it’s taken some long nights…you know, like being so addicted to this story that I look at the clock, realize it’s 1am, and that I have to get up at 6am, but then tell my self no sleepy until I’ve read 5 more chapters? it’s that bad. but now it’s come to the point where I have to wait for chapters…this is the part that sucks. i want to just keep reading and reading and reading your stuff, but it has ended for a period of time which I do not know. so sad am i. please post soon, if not for me, then for all the others addicted to your words. keep writing…I’ll be reading.