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Watching Tina looking over work papers, Bette wondered wondered about the woman that was sitting in front of her. Holding Angelica, feeling her excitement as she was playing with the pool water, Bette felt her heart relax, calm for a minute or two. Taking the strength she needed from her daughter beautiful eyes, she asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible,

Dad63 missed you yesterday”

What?” asked Tina looking up at Bette. Her face, blank, as if nothing was going on.

You online friendIwhen I came back this morning she was looking for you” Bette added, trying not to sound harsh or upset.

You went through my computer” asked Tina, her eyes on fire.

Of course notit was on the bed and when I moved it to the floorit was onit was on the screenI”

Looking down to the papers again, Tina remind quiet.

Seeing that Tina was not going on further with the topic, leaving the questioning to her, Bette sighed deeply and hugging Angelica hard, asked, her words barely a whisper,

Are you sleeping with him?

What?” asked Tina raising her voice, blushing a little.

Dad 63he sounded like he knew you”

Of course not!I…I” Standing up, Tina put the papers on the floor and taking the baby in her arms added,

“IheI chatted with him a couple of timesabout babies and all thatI”

Walking inside Tina tried to escape Bette inquiring eyes. Knowing Tina, Bette knew there was something else, something Tina was not saying. Feeling tired, very tired, Bette noticed her insides tightening as her lungs were closing. Not again. She thought, quietly praying.

Looking down at the pool water, she noticed a lonely tear running down. Carefully, as it taking comfort in it, she cleaned it with her bare hand.

We are going to be latethe girls are probably waiting for us” Tina said coming out to the pool again.

Yeahcoming “Bette mumbled, standing up, unable to look at Tina. She knew that she did, she was going to ask, to yell, to know. She wasn’t ready for that yet. She wasn’t ready to hear it. She knew it already. She just wasn’t ready to face reality. Not yet.