Chapter 22 – Good Food and Good Friends

Kit walks over to Bette and Shane having ice coffee together out on the patio of The Planet. As she walks up the two of them as they seem to be laughing and joking. Kits feels her heart warm a little towards Bette, it good to see her relaxed and laughing. Its been such a hard year for Bette, Kit is proud of the Bette that has come out on the other side. Looking at her now Kit feels more love and warmth coming from Bette than she can remember for quite some time. It seems that Bette has learned to let the hard brick wall come down and is now more able to let people in. Kit still didnt want to cross Bette as that same fiery nature would emerge it was just that now a days Bette seemed to be so much more easy going and enjoying life.

Hey you two are you hungry? I got things close to being ready to go and am looking for some volunteers for the feast. Kit says as she walks up to the two of them.

Looking up from Shane, Bette speaks first Hey there Kit. Ive been trying to get Shane here to join us. I have been tempting her with your good cooking, do you think we need to take her upstairs to have the aroma do the talking for you?

Hey guys I would like nothing better but I feel like Im horning in on your dinner plans. Shane protests as Bette has been ribbing her for the last hour. Leaning back in her chair Shane smiles as she realizes that this is the Bette she loves being around. The fun, joking and full of life Bette that she feels privileged enough to know.

Well litl sis if the girl doesnt have enough sense to know what good cookin is I dont see how her smelling it will make any difference. Shane youre more than welcome but I dont beg anyone to eat my cooking. After all, Im not Bette. Kit gets this last bit in while looking at Bette.

Ouch, thats not fair. Im getting better. Bette lets out a false protest, trying not to laugh and put out her bottom lip. The whole effect was a miserable failure as she was smiling too much to pull it off effectively.

All right guys, Im game. Shane relents I mean after all who could argue with that kind of logic. I mean the cooking has to be good its not Bettes. Shane wanting to get one more jab in to Bette.

Well its ready when you guys are, lets go up. Kit said motioning them both to get a move on.

Shane, Bette and Kit all went to Kits place over the planet and sat down at her little dinette table. Kit quickly pulled out another place setting and the three of them laugh and ate and laugh some more as Kit really was a good cook. But good food shared with good friends is always better.

After dinner Shane excused herself as she had some prowling to do. That left Kit and Bette sharing an after dinner coffee and just catching up. Bette brought up her amazing day she had thanks to Tina and how blown away she was with Anna.

She is the sweetest little girl. So you had no idea the whole thing was a surprise? Kit asks.

No I had no idea, she and James were in cahoots together it seems. Yeah, she says she wants me in Annas life. I really am excited by that thought. I feel a tremendous bond with her that I cant really describe you know Kit? Bette says to Kit but really its the look of total want and infatuation that Bette has on her face that is doing the talking for her.

I know what you mean and this way you finally get to be involved in her life. I have to tell you its a hard road just watching from afar and hearing things third party. Kit says as she thinks of her relationship with David and how hard it has been for her but at least she is clear across the country and the distance gives her some perspective.

Quickly looking at Kit, Bette realizes that she is talking about David but for all intense and purposes how did both of the Porter girls end up looking in from the outside with their children? This is going to have to change and Bette just makes herself a promise to approach David at the earliest possible time. You know Kit Im not really sure were any of this is going but it was a nice beginning. I mean there was so much unsaid between Tina and me. I just dont know what the right move is. Do I talk in depth with her and risk pushing her and Anna farther away by getting her mad again or do I just take whatever she gives me and keep my doubts to myself? I really dont know what to do. Im going to call her tomorrow though and take a step I just dont know what it is Bette shares her thoughts and doubts with Kit.

Well litl sis the best advice is to do what is in your heart. What is it telling you to do? Kit says looking at Bette with concern.

I only know for sure that I dont want to mess this up. I dont feel the anger coming from Tina anymore and maybe we can build a friendship for Annas sake. I think I just need to take it a day at a time and see. Bette comes to that conclusion as she is talking to Kit.

Hey Im sure if Tina brought Anna to you she is not playing any games here. She has never been that kind of person so her intentions are probably just what they seem. Trying to get you in Annas life and if you ask me its about time. But better late than never. So girl you had better heed my warning you treat that little girl like a princess OK? Kit says now as she knows she has nothing to worry about but has to get on Bettes case about something.

***
The next morning Bette was sitting in her office at the CAC when she picks up the phone to call Tina. She has been thinking of nothing but Tina and Anna since her conversation with Kit. Kit was right she needed to be in Annas life and not just in the background. If Tina brought her to her then she must also really believe that also. Kit was right Tina was the kind of person who never did something without really having thought about it. She must really want Bette in Annas life and that was music to Bettes ears. Bette still had a lot of doubts as to where that left her and Tina but maybe just being in Annas life was enough for now.

Hey Tina this is Bette, I was calling to follow up from the other day. Bette starts off sounding a little stiff even to herself.

Bette, Im glad you called. Tina says feeling just as awkward as Bette.

Well I dont really know how to begin. Tina I want you to know that I had a wonderful time with you and Anna. Thank you so much for that time. Bette began wanting Tina to know that she didnt take this opportunity for granted. I really appreciate you making it possible.

Bette hesitated after this not knowing how to go forward. Hearing the uncertainty in Bettes voice, Tina moves to fill in the gaps. Bette what are you doing later? I was thinking if you had some time you could come over and we could sit by the pool and have some ice tea with Anna and me. Tina says thinking that it would be easier to talk to Bette in person than over the phone and also having Anna present would be a good buffer.

Bette thought about this for a moment Yeah I would like that Tina, what do you have in mind?

With that Bette and Tina set up a time for later that afternoon. This gave Bette time to go to her place and change into comfortable shorts and tank before she made her way to Tinas. During the whole drive to Tinas Bette cant help but think what is it she wanted. To be Tinas friend again, to have her back in her life in the forefront and not in the background. Bette came to the conclusion that whatever Tina was willing to give she would take.

Arriving at Tinas felt a little weird for Bette as she hadnt been back to the house since she left everything to Tina. Pulling in the driveway gave Bette a weird sense of having been there and done that before. Trying to shake the uneasiness, Bette got out of her car and moved in the direction of the front door. Before she reached the porch, Tina was standing there with the door open and Anna in her arms. She had a smile on her face that went all the way up to her eyes. Bette had to pause and just look, she looked so beautiful standing there with Anna in her arms. This was one of those moments where your brain takes a snap shot that it can replay over and over again later when you need to think good thoughts.

Bette, Im glad you could make it. Tina starts out as she waves Bette into the house. Walking through the front door, Bette is surprised that Tina has left almost everything the same. She would have thought that Tina would have wanted to leave her own stamp on this place and wipe out all of Bettes presence but she hadnt. The only noticeable changes where all the baby items that were everywhere you looked. The baby chairs, swings, and things that instantly notified you there was a young baby in the house. Somehow this calmed Bettes nerves as she entered and followed Tina on that familiar path to the pool deck outside. Tina had the table set up with a pitcher of iced tea and glasses as well as a little play station to put Anna in so we could watch her play as we sat down.

Bette take a seat. Tina instructed as she put Anna in her play station. Anna looked Bettes way for a few moments and then began playing with the pile of rattles, whirly things and noise makers attached to the play station.

As they settled down and Tina poured the tea, the conversation was stilted and artificial at first. Tina wanting to move beyond this kind of conversation finally looked at Bette and began Bette, I know the other day I surprised you with Anna and all. I was hoping I could ask you again about being our friend. Its important to me to have you in Annas life and I just think this would be easier if you and I were friends. I know we have a lot of history. Tina says this part with a little chuckle trying to lighten the conversation. But I want you in my life too. Right now I would like to be your friend. Do you think we can do that? Now Tina is asking with all sincerity.

Tina I would like that too. Bette starts but then hesitates again. Do you think we can just take this a day a time for now and see how it goes? Bette asks as she likes what Tina is proposing but doesnt know if she can be this close to Tina and deal with all her emotions. The last thing Bette wanted was to over commit and mess up again.

Yeah, I think that would be the best approach for now. Tina confirms after she thought about it a moment.

With that the two moved on to other topics mostly concerning Anna, but the whole air about them was easier and lighter. It seemed that for the moment they both wanted to be in this time frame and not worry about the past or the future. They were enjoying each others company and Anna was enjoying them both.

On Bettes way home later that afternoon the prevailing thought going through her head was Yes, if Tina wants me to be a friend then I will be the best friend she has ever had.