Bette didn’t know her mother, being a one year old infant, when Maxine Porter was killed in a car crash. Melvin told the already teenage brunette a lot of stories about her, showed her pictures, and through the years Bette has been becoming more and more sentimental about the idea of Maxine, the mother she once had.

”I adore Melissa. Have always adored her. And Chad. My lil’ boy took his first step several days ago” Marcus said proudly.

”Congratulations, Mac. I’m happy for you and your family” Bette hugged her friend, throwing her arm around man’s broad shoulders.

”Yeah” He embraced her in return and sighed sadly. ”Only I wasn’t there to see it”

They sat silently, watching the city becoming more vague because off the looming fog, until both started to yawn occationally. The decision to go home was made, when Bette slackened and dozed off for a minute.

”Ugh, thank God I’m not driving” The brunette said, sluggishly getting into the passenger seat of Marcus’s SUV.

”I hate you” The man muttered and started the car.

”I’m very flattered” Bette murmured, smiling with her eyes closed.

Several minutes later, Marcus pulled up to Bette’s place. The brunette started to get out of the car, when Marcus stopped her.

”Hey, I wanted to say something” He began.

Bette looked at him and frowned. ”What is it?”

”This girl you date… You sounded very smitten, when you talked about her. I just wanted to tell you to be more careful and vigilant since now. I mean, you don’t want anything to happen and… You know, how it is”

Bette closed her eyes and exhaled some amount of air wearily. ”I know, I know…”

”Good”

”Thanks, Mac. I’ll be in touch” The brunette said lastly and closed the door, making her way to her apartment building’s entry.
The next day Bette was driving up to Tina’s house. She hadn’t initially informed the blonde about her visit, but assumed that she’ll be home, since it was Sunday’s early afternoon. She put her Lexus on a vacant place in the driveway and turned off the engine.

Maybe her visit will be inappropriate at this daytime. Maybe the house was full of guests and Tina’s parents. Bette thought that she still should have called the blonde, it would have been more polite.