"It is. Today the judge will see if Ali is fit enough to have Melito in her custody for the time being. I’m hoping the judge will see that she was an unfit mother then and she still is. Staying with me and Nanna is what’s best for him." Bette’s voice was so insecure it made Tina’s heartache that she couldn’t be there to reassure Bette of what she knew to be true in her heart, so she used her words instead.

"Baby, it’s gonna be alright. I’m sure the judge will see exactly what she has done in the past and see that she is still unstable. You truly are the better parent in this situation, so please try not to worry so much." Hoping her words made a difference to Bette was what she really cared about even if right now she couldn’t really focus on what she was saying. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t shake the thoughts of her mother, her words, her feelings still digging deep into Tina’s skin and making her so confused.

"Tina, sweetie?"

"Yeah, yeah I’m here. What did you say?"

"I said where were yesterday, I wanted to talk to you before I went to bed but Carmen said she hadn’t seen you all day."

"I was with Alice we were just catching up on girl talk and I lost track of time. You know how Alice prides herself on being able to carry on a conversation all by herself about herself." Tina was hoping that the lie she was telling Bette could sustain any further questions she would have about her whereabouts, luckily it did.

"Well, I hear footsteps and giggles heading my way which means it’s time for me to start getting breakfast ready for us and heading on our way. I love you baby."

"I love you too. Please try to relax."

"I will, bye."

"Bye." although Tina’s mind was somewhere else her words were genuine and true. She was hoping that Bette didn’t notice the lack of feeling in her tone of voice.

………………………………..

Bette hung up the phone feeling a little disappointed. 1. She lied to Tina about Melito being awake. She just couldn’t help knowing that Tina was suffering without her there to shake away any fears and pain she was feeling about her mother. The pain she was feeling about Tina lying to her about being with Alice all day was to much. She still couldn’t figure out why Tina held up this wall around herself to keep any one from seeing her real pain. Bette thought of all the people she ; her lover, would be the one to penetrate that defense mechanism. 2. Her feelings for Alicia were spinning her mind she was hoping that these feelings were reminiscent of what once was. And nothing more. Merely fleeting waves of youthful emotions. "But what if they weren’t? But what if she still loved Alicia? She still loved Tina though, that was for sure. Wasn’t it?" the guilt she had of maybe proving Tina’s fears true made her feel so incredibly guilty she couldn’t do anything but sit and let the thoughts wash through her mind as she sat waiting for time to move.

………………………………….

Tina sat there in bed, in complete and total awe of herself and the conclusion she had come to. It took her a little while, few tears, and few nights Bette holding her to get here but she was finally there. Whether Tina wanted to or not was not an issue she was going to deal with her mother today and not wait for her mind to second guess her gut. She picked up the phone and dialed the one number that came to mind.

"Hi, it’s me."…

TBC……………..