“I couldn’t ever keep the two Melissas straight.”

Tina took another drink and opened the refrigerator door to get a bottle for Shane.

“So…big news, huh?” Shane asked, accepting the water and twisting off the cap.

“Yes. Huge.”

“Bette’s totally tipped up about it.”

“She’s been…incredible through this whole thing.”

“Well, she wants you to be happy.”

“I know,” Tina nodded, looking into the dining room as Bette laughed with Alice and Dana.

“And she loves the…package deal. Kid, parents, grandparents. How old was she when her mom and dad split?”

“Young. Eight or nine. And Kit took off not long after that.”

“This must kinda be like getting a second chance at that,” Shane said, taking a sip.

“Everyone together around the table at Thanksgiving,” Tina said absently.

“Is that what you want?”

“Well, sure. Of course it is.”

“You’re totally cool about this?”

“Yes. Completely,” Tina said unconvincingly.

“‘Cause I would be a little freaked if my mother called out of nowhere and said she was coming through town.”

“You would?”

“T. This is…extreme. Don’t you think?”

Tina shrugged. “I’m the one who wrote to them. I’m the one who started this. They’re just doing what I asked them to.”

“And because of that, you don’t get to be freaked?”

Tina exhaled slowly. “I’m just…I don’t… I love my parents. Or…loved them, I guess. But it’s been such a long time. And I’m not the same person any more. So much has happened.”

“Absolutely. For them, too.”

“I have work that I care about. Bette and I are doing better than ever. And Jordan is…she’s…” Tina’s eyes filled with tears at the thought of her beautiful child.

“Yeah,” Shane said softly, draping her arm around Tina’s shoulders, “she is.”

“I feel like things are so good. Why risk that? Why make things more complicated? My parents rejected me once. What if that happens again? Only now it won’t just be me getting hurt, it’ll be Bette and Jordan, too.”

“So don’t see them,” Shane said, gently rubbing Tina’s back.

“What?”

“Just…don’t. You don’t have to. It’s not like you signed a contract.”

“But…”

“Of course,” Shane added, “you could be missing out on something more incredible than you can imagine. But that’s the risk part.”

Tina impatiently rubbed at her eyes, clearing away the few unshed tears blurring her vision.

“Look. Your life is totally great. And you’re surrounded by people who love you. If this works out, it’s gravy. If not…you’ve still got a totally great life. But either way, this has to be something you do for yourself. Not Bette. Not Jordan. Not your parents. Do it ’cause you want it. Or don’t do it,” Shane said.

“I still have a choice,” Tina echoed.

“You always have a choice.”

“Hey,” Alice said, popping her head through the doorway. “Are you two scullery maids done in the kitchen? We need you to weigh in on Charlie’s Angels the TV show vs. the movie.”

“See? Plenty of choices,” Shane winked, giving Tina’s shoulders a final squeeze.