Bette?  Tina answered the phone immediately.

No, Tina Kit.  I’m with Bette and Angelica.  Angelica is fine and you will see her back in LA. 

How is she?  How are they?  Tina was angry and worried and did not know which emotion would win out from one moment to the next. 

They are fine. Kit replied surprised at Tina asking about Bette with those two you never knew Kit thought ruefully.  Do you want to say hello the Angie?

I’d love to.

Say hi to Mommy Angelica. Tina heard through the phone. 

“Hi Angel” Tina called.  “How are you?”  She heard nonsensical gurgles on the other end of the phone.  Mama T loves you sweetheart. I will see you soon.  Love you. 

Tina?  Kit was back on the line.  You can meet them at Joyce’s office on Friday.

What? She’s still suing for full custody?  Let me talk to her.  Tina demanded her anger winning out again.

I don’t think that’s a good idea.  I’ll be traveling back with them and check in with you everyday. 

Thanks, Kit.  Thanks for calling me and letting me know what’s going on.  I really appreciate it. 

No problem Tina, she is my sister but sometimes she can be so … Kit struggled for words.

I know Kit.  Tina interjected.  Thanks for calling me it’s been hell.  I hope that this doesn’t mess up our relationship too much.  I know it’s hard for everybody especially you.

Talk to you tomorrow.

            Tina sighed with relief. It had been days of waiting and worrying.  She worried that she would never see her daughter again.  Thank God that Bette had not disappeared to parts unknown.  Bette was impulsive and hot tempered and the threat of losing her daughter could send her over the edge.  Tina knew her ex-lover’s buttons well.   She knew the minute that the words were out of her mouth that it was a mistake. 

            Bette hated to be pushed into a corner or threatened.  Threaten Bette and the next thing you would not know what hit you. You knew whom but not what and God did it hurt.   She had seen it often enough with others who had crossed her.   Even before she saw the note a warning bell went off in her head.  Bette had taken their daughter.  Even in the darkest moments she held onto the belief that Bette could no more separate their daughter from her than she could separate Angelica from Bette.  What a royal mess they had made, Tina thought not for the first time.