Tina:  Kind of like you and James?

Bette: Exactly like me and James. Almost a sibling type relationship.

Tina:  I can see that. Are you okay sweetheart?

Bette: I’m better because of you. You are right. Things do have a way of working out. I think we know more than we did know, but nothing has really changed as a result. And all the wishing and wondering and questioning has brought me a better understanding of Melvin William Porter. In a way, I feel sorry for him in that he made his life so much harder by the choices he made. And he was too stubborn to acknowledge he made a mistake and change course. And both Kit and I have some of those traits. We have exhibited them in our past.

Tina:  Well, it was in our long-ago past Miss Porter.  You have learned that it is better to admit you have made a mistake as soon as you realize it was a mistake. That is why I married you. Of course, the fact that I am desperately in love with you helped push me in that direction.

Bette:  What would my life be without you, Tina? I can’t even imagine such a thing. I love you so much and I do appreciate all you do for me.

Tina: Walk with me a little. I want to see some of these plants over here.

Bette: Just remember Tina, these plants are subject to very cold winters and snow. I doubt they will survive in Santa Monica.

Tina:  I know. But there may be some California varieties that might go well in our Santa Monica yard.

They walked around the yard and admire the various shrubs and plants.  Tina thought the yard was well kept and attractive. The plants were all mature and had been in place for years. The neighborhood was older. They suspected that Harriett had live in this home for decades. She possibly inherited it from her parents.

Harriett called them to lunch just before noon. They were shown into the dining room and sat facing each other with Harriet at the head of the table. They were served a small garden salad and some chicken alfredo with lots of broccoli mixed in.  Bette and Tina were both hungry and were delighted with meal. The lunch conversation was light. The talked about the changes in the weather that had occurred over the years in Philadelphia. Bette and Tina talked about their new home and how they expected Mary to move in at the end of the month. Now that all her children were in the Los Angeles area, there was no reason to stay in Phoenix. Harriet made a comment that she thought Mary was rather attractive in her younger days and really liked her personality. She made sure that Bette and Tina knew that she would welcome a visit from any of the Porter clan if they were ever in the Philadelphia area.