Bette had cut off the conversation, her heart was mending and she did not want to open the wound that was only beginning to heal. 

            “What do you mean, you’re not there yet?”  Bette had thundered needing the anger to maintain her balance.  “I told you not to expect me to wait while you made up your mind about your feelings for men.  I understand that Henry disappointed you. He is an arrogant condescending ass.  I’m glad you finally saw that.  I don’t think you know how close I came to murdering him and burying his body on the bluffs.”

            “I knew that you didn’t like him but murder Bette, isn’t that a bit extreme?”

            “Not when someone is threatening my place in our daughter’s life.  The arrogance of the man, I may kill him yet.  It hasn’t escaped my notice that you played into that and allowed it.”

            Tina met her gaze and accepted the anger she saw there.  “I was angry and I was wrong.  I will never threaten you in that way again.  I can’t now that Angelica is legally your daughter.  I wouldn’t want to.  You are not blameless Bette.  You sued for full custody and took Angie for a joy ride.  Do you think that I don’t know you well enough to know that you thought about taking her from me for good?”

            It was Bette’s turn to look away. 

            “I am not ready to date anyone, Tina.”  Bette said softly. 

            “Ok” Tina swallowed knowing that Bette was not ready to date her in particular.  The last time they had dated ended with Tina declaring she wanted to explore her feelings for men. 

            Bette slowly became aware of the conversation that Tina and Joanna were having.  Joanna had Tina laughing over a debate she had with Susan about what constituted a vegetable.  Susan informed her that her friend told her that the government had declared some years back that ketchup was a vegetable.  Her friend’s Mom and Dad had a big debate about it and it was clear that ketchup was a vegetable.”

            “I hope Angelica doesn’t hear that one. She is already crazy about French Fries and if she understands that ketchup is a vegetable she will go nuts.”  Tina smiled cautiously reassessing the threat that Joanna posed.  Tina wondered how Bette had handled the fact that Joanna was bisexual.  She was privy to the fact that Joanna had made some sort of sexual offer to Bette having heard Bette’s willingness to surrender to lovemaking before she knew Tina was the one in her arms.  Tina took comfort in the fact that hers was the name that slipped from the brunette’s lips.  Bette was not done with her and she was even more determined not to let her go.  “I should let the two of you get back to your date.” Tina declared finishing her wine.