“I might’ve fucked up any chance of ever having Tina forgive me for the shit I did when she was little. Tina took off a few weeks ago with Bette and I haven’t seen her since. I’ve tried to get in contact with her but her father won’t let me near her.” Vanessa felt as though if she said it fast enough it wouldn’t hurt her so bad, but it hurt the same.

“Mr. Kennard wouldn’t do that if he didn’t think Tina was in some kind of danger with you, so what the fuck did you do to her, to make her run away from you?”

“Alice what has Tina told you about me, about our relationship recently?”

“Nothing really. I just figured she would rather tell me everything in person rather than breakdown on the phone. Why?”

“Alice I’m going to tell you a story, and I hope your able to listen to it and see my point in the end.” so Vanessa told her everything from the first night she hit Tina to the day she walked out and hit her with a right cross. By the end of the story Vanessa was hoping that Alice was as open minded as Tina made her out to be. After having heard a confusing story Alice was left speechless, Vanessa answered all her questions except one.

” Vanessa what the hell do you want from me?”

“I need your help to make Tina see that I’m trying to get help with my problems. But I can’t move forward without at least knowing that I have the slightest chance for her forgiveness. I know I probably don’t deserve it right now but I …”

“I know you don’t deserve it. I can’t believe you hit her, again and you expect me to be some kind of advisory for you.”

“I know Alice, I’m trying to figure out why I’m always taking any little frustration I have out on her when she doesn’t deserve it. I really want to be the kind of mother she deserves but I just can’t. Not right now I need to find out what’s wrong with me. But I have to know that Tina is going to be there when I find out. Otherwise this retreat is pointless”

“That’s all fine and dandy but what the hell do you want from me?”

“I’m leaving for a clinic next week, and I need to tell Tina… about her… father.”

“Wait a minute you need to tell Tina something about Mr.. Kennard.”

“No, Alice I…”

“Because if you’re trying to make this the summer of the bones falling out of the closet you’re on your own. I’m not gonna be your right hand for smacking the shit outta Tina with family secrets.”

“I know Tina has always struggled with her identity, and who she is.”

“So why do I have to come to Georgia?” Alice was starting to get a irritated by Vanessa’s need to tap dance around the situation.

“I know who her biological father is, I’ve known since she was 8 yrs. old. That’s when my drinking got outta hand. I had to get away from her, I felt myself wanting to punish her for that. I need you here so I can tell her, I know she’ll be going through a transition and I don’t want her going through that alone. So here is my offer to you I’ll fly you out here, pay for your hotel room, and a rental car for you to get around in. Just say you’ll be here for her. Isn’t she worth that much?… Alice?”

“I’ll call you back with the first available flight arrangements.”

****TBC****