Darkside 41

Tina sat out front of the school. Avery appeared from around the corner. Tina couldn’t help but notice a slight smirk on her face. Avery opened the door and got in. 

“Well how was your first day?” Tina asked. 

“Fine.” Avery answered. 

“Any thing eventfully happen?” Tina asked. 

“Nope.” Avery was clearly not saying something. 

“Okay. We’ve got to swing by Darkside and pick up Addy and Alistair. Are you hungry?” Tina asked. Avery looked at her. “Sorry. I just. I forgot.”

“It’s okay. It’s nice that you asked.” Avery said. 

***********

“Mama!” Alistair yelled and ran into Bette’s arms. Tina looked on from the kitchen. 

“Hey buddy” She picked him up. “What did you do today?” 

“Played with Shane at Darkside. Look.” He showed her a smiley face on his hand. 

“Cool. Why don’t you go play while I talk to Mommy.” Bette sat him down and he took off running.

Bette walked into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around Tina and kissed her. “And how was your day?” Bette smiled. 

“It was good but now its wonderful.” Tina kissed Bette. 

“Mmm.” Bette smiled through a kiss. “Something smells good.” 

“It’s Lasagna” Tina cracked the oven and the amazing aroma escaped.

“Awesome.” Bette said. “How was Avery’s first day at school?” 

“Why don’t you ask her that?” Tina said. 

“Something happened didn’t it. I knew it. AVERY GET DOWN HERE NOW!!!!!” Bette yelled. 

“No Bette nothing happened. I just think maybe you should talk to her about how her day went instead of me. She’s been upstairs doing her homework since we got home.” Avery walked out of the hallway. 

“You called?” She said. Bette looked at her. 

“How was school today?” She asked. Avery gave her an inquisitive look.

“School was fine.” Avery crossed her arms tucking her hands so Bette wouldn’t see the trembling. 

“Did you meet any new friends?” Bette asked. 

“Not really. I was only there for half a day.” Avery slid her shaking hand into her pocket. 

“Maybe tomorrow then.” Bette smiled. 

“Maybe.” Avery leaned against the wall. 

“Did you finish your homework?” Bette asked. 

“Almost.” Avery lied. She had finished it hours ago. 

“I guess you better go finish it before dinner.” 

“Right I’ll get right on that.” Avery turned and went upstairs. 

“Bette.” 

“What?” Bette shrugged. 

“You have barely spent any time with her since she got back. You spend all your time with Alistair and Addy even when we go out somewhere.” Tina steadily cut tomatoes. 

“Avery has had me all her life. They’ve had me for only a short time.” Bette explained. 

Tina walked into the living room and picked up a wooden box off of the floor.

“What are you talking about?”  Bette looked at her. 

“Every since we got back I’ve been trying to get know the daughter I’ve never known.” Tina sat the box at Bette’s feet. 

“I know.” Bette said. 

“I think now its time you did the same.” Tina continued making her salad. 

“I think I know my own daughter” Bette said. 

“If you did you’d know she’d have finished her homework hours ago.” Tina said. 

“How would I have known that?” Bette asked. 

“She’s smart Bette. I mean really smart.” Tina said. “Don’t believe go look, and when you see that I’m right maybe you should make more of an effort to really know her and not just assume that you do.”