“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but ,…I… I think that if you love this woman Tina you should hold onto her. Love is love, and it doesn’t matter where you find it or who you find it with.”

Tina was still crying so hard she could hardly hear a thing her mom was saying. “I always thought that you would be the one person who would understand me mom , but I think that dad has you brain wa…..

what did you just say?, did I hear you right?” Tina pulled away from her mom’s embrace and wiped her eyes. “Did you just say what I thought you said?”

“You heard right Tina. I’m not homophobic. I was just shocked when you told us. I needed time to process it, that’s all….And unlike your dad, I’m not blind to what is going on in your marriage. I know that you haven’t been happy with Henry for a while now… I just hope…” Tina’s mom paused.

“Don’t stop now mom, you only hope what?”

“That you’re not just doing this to get back at Henry” She reached for Tina’s hand. “I’m not trying to interfere in your life, baby, but I hope you are doing this for the right reasons. It’s not only your happiness that is at stake.”

“It feels right mom”

“I’m not saying it doesn’t,… It’s just that I can remember another time when you were in love.”

Tina gave her mom a weak smile. “Is that what you’re thinking? That It’s only a crush?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time”

“I’m older and wiser now.” She stopped herself from saying and I’ve learned my lesson. “Bette has nothing to do with Henry and my marriage. Nothing whatsoever.

That was the truth. Her marriage was over, whether or not Bette was in the picture. I f she hadn’t met Bette, her marriage still would have ended. It would have ended because her husband was a liar and a cheater and their marriage was a sham.

“So, does Henry know that the marriage is over? How is he taking it?”

Tina was still shocked to learn that her mom wasn’t that all into Henry as she had believed. Her father on the other hand was blind to his faults. Henry was very important to him, and even though Tina was tempted to come clean with her mom, she knew her mom wouldn’t be able to keep something like this from her husband. She knew her dad wouldn’t be so quick to take his side if he knew the whole story, but today was not the day.

“I think his ego is a little bruised, but don’t worry about him mom he’ll bounce back real fine”

“Tina, don’t be too hard on your father, try and understand his point and give him time. You know how he feels about marriage…and to find out that his little girl did not only break her vows, but with a woman! It’s hard for him to take right now. I wouldn’t expect him to come around any time soon”

Tina didn’t respond. She just wished her dad saw things the way her mom did.

“So”, her mom was saying, is she beautiful?”

Tina blushed at the question. She couldn’t believe her and her mom were talking like this. “very”

“Does she treat you good?, is she kind? I hope she’s intelligent and has a good job. Only the best for my baby.”

Tina was laughing so hard. “Yes to all the above mom…and as much as I would love to stay and chat -I really do have to leave.”

“So when do I get to meet her?”

Tina hug and kiss her mom, in a much better spirit than when she arrived. “I’ll call you and we can do lunch”

At the door her mom stops her. “and, Tina, not a word to your dad. He would kill me if he knew I was having lunch with you and Bette”

Tina was so happy when she came down the stairs. It took her a while before she realized that Henry was still there. She heard her dad’s voice bellowing. “You are weak and spineless. What are you doing to get your wife back?”

Tina didn’t wait to hear Henry’s answer, she was already out the door.

Tina felt like she was leaving her past behind and heading towards her future. Some how she couldn’t seem to stop smiling.

TBC