The woman I have known to be so strong and domaneering was now cowering under her father’s gaze and word. He makes her so weak, so powerless, it’s infuritating. I fold up my napkin and toss it on the table.

"Mr. Porter, I have had enough. You have not given me the opportunity to speak, and I don’t think you ever will. Bette is a wonderful, smart and very talented woman and I am so glad I get to be apart of her life. I love her so much. How dare you accuse me of being a gold digger, how dare you! I would be with her even if she was broke. I love her for her, not her money or her status in LA’s social circle. You don’t have to like me, or our relationship, but you do have to respect your daughter’s wishes. And if she wants me to, I plan on sticking around for a long time, you’re just gonna have to deal with it."

Bette got up suddenly and it startled. She cleared her throat and for a second, I thought she was mad at me for speaking out of turn. She took her napkin and tossed it onto the table and I smiled.

"Father, we’re leaving, you can call me when you’re ready to act like my father," she said and kissed her mom’s cheek who was smiling, "mother."

She grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the table, leaving her father with his mouth hanging open. Well, that went well. She handed the valet her ticket and he went to grab the car. I held her hand firmly, she didn’t look at me.

We rode to Bette’s house in silence, I didn’t know what to say. I grabbed her hand and she gripped it. As I squeezed it, her lip quivered. I opened my mouth to speak but she shook her head. We got to her house and she parked and we just sat there for a minute, neither one of us talking. I got out and went to her side and opened her door. I reached over her and unbuckled her and pulled her out. We walked into the house and she sat on the couch staring blankly and I kneeled in front of her and the tears escaped her eyes.