“Because of Tina ?”
“Yeah and the fact that my mom doesn’t know “
“Your mother hasn’t figured it out ? as soon as I saw your face I knew – granted you had just stopped kissing Tina. Does your mother not smell a rat ?”
“Normally yes – normally I wouldn’t have a chance of keeping this from her. She is so consumed by her cunning plans to get Tina and I together that she doesn’t seem to see what is going on in the real world which is that Tina and I are crazy for each other “
Peggy smiled “How do you think she is going to react when she finds out ?”
“I hope that she is going to be thrilled “
“Its not like your mother not to be very perceptive about you “
“She’s spending a lot of time with Emma Kennard – I think she’s so determined to find out what my plans are and what I am doing that she doesn’t see what is in front of her nose “
“Are you spending much time with your parents ?”
Bette grinned “If either of them suspected it might also occur to them that Emma sees Tina at roughly the same time as I go and see my folks. Mind you Tina is so cheesed off with Emma at the moment “
Peggy raised one eyebrow – Bette shook her head
“Emma is a weird contraction and I don’t know what to make of her or what is going to happen when she finds out “
“How so ?”
“On the one hand she is trying to get Tina with me and on the other she is belittling her and criticising what she does and her choices. Tina had a hard time when her mom died and she’s just getting her life into gear again. She doesn’t need all this stuff from her mom “
“I don’t imagine that sits well with you “
Bette frowned “I hate it – Tina is fantastic and I really don’t think I could be happier. Her self confidence is a really fragile thing – its growing – every day I see that she is getting her head around the notion that she is a truly wonderful human being and that I love her and I am totally serious about making it work between us. But she is susceptible to just having her self belief destroyed by stupid remarks like the ones I hear come from Emma all the time. I could swing for her “
Peggy smiled to herself – Tina had been right in being worried about how Emma would react to Bette and visa versa.
“Mothers and daughters have very complicated relationships “
“Mom and I don’t “ Bette said
“Because Rosemary is a saint and you have the perfect personality as a daughter. You know the times when Helena and I have fought “
“Like when you cut her off without a dime “
“I think you will find I have done that more than once. Granted I haven’t had to do it in 18 months or so – she does seem to have settled into her current life style. My point is that most parents have insanely high expectations for their children –one that the children have no real chance of meeting. Do I love Helena ? – absolutely – would I like it if her life was different – yes as well. Emma Kennard wants the best for Tina – which is why she has rightly targeted you. I know that ship has long sailed out of the harbour and been lost in the Bermuda Triangle but I would have loved it if you were Helena’s wife not her best friend”
“Peggy ! “ Bette looked truly appalled at the idea – which amused Peggy as it was the same look that she would have got from Helena if she had said the same thing. Peggy chuckled
“I know – the very notion grosses you out “
“Which is why you said it “
“I am merely trying to say that I would very happy if my daughter was settled with one very special woman rather than the revolving door which she has on her bedroom at the moment “
“You do Helena a disservice and you know it “ Bette replied “ She has lost a lot of her wild ways “
“Down to your good influence –the point is that your mom and Emma and myself are alike in how much we want the best for our daughters and also we want to see them in a steady relationship that nurtures them and does not suck the life out of them “
“Are you referring to anyone in particular ?” Bette raised one eyebrow
“I like Tina “
“I love Tina “
“Don’t get defensive Bette – I think she is wonderful and I can see how happy she makes you. That big cheesy grin of yours is always good to see and every time you look at her you just seem to light up. I think its wonderful “
Bette relented “It is – I never felt like this before “
Peggy took a wild stab in the dark “And it terrifies you ?”
Bette didn’t speak for several minutes – suddenly there was something fascinating too see on the white towel that was around her waist.
“You have dated some truly terrible women – none of them even remotely good enough for you. But this one – this one is something else. I can see how much you love her “
“I never felt this way and sometimes I think I am drowning in how much I love her and how much I want her. it breaks me up when she is upset – that’s new for me. There have been so many times when I have wanted to go to Emma’s office and yell at her for how she’s hurt Tina “
“You need to be careful – you would hate it if anyone tried to come between you and Rosemary. You need to step carefully with Tina and Emma. Your loyalty is to Tina of course but mainly your role is peace-maker. As for the other stuff “ Peggy smiled “ You have it bad “
“Chronic “ Bette agreed “She’s “ Bette shook her head “Just beautiful and she’s so sweet and loving. She takes my breath away – I am so into her. I didn’t know I could feel these things “
Peggy laughed “Can you imagine how thrilled your mother is going to be when you tell her this ? she is just going to be bursting with happiness”
“I want to tell her – I don’t know how much longer I can keep it hidden”
“Last night – around midnight I was sitting outside reading when Tina came outside. She was looking for something for her shoulder “
“Is it still bad ?”
“It was hurting her – I gave her some pain killing gel. We sat and chatted and she told me that its her hang up which is why your parents haven’t been told the good news “
“I think she is just freaked by how her mom will react “
“And how will your mom and dad react ?”
Bette smiled “As you just said – mom is going to be so pleased. Every woman she meet that I am dating she has the highest possible expectations for. “
“Your mom wants you to be settled “
“My mom wants me to be married and to be giving her grandchildren – you know that. Remember when I dated Fiona – the model with the daughter ?”
“Yes – you broke your mom’s heart when the two of you split up “
“I couldn’t keep dating her just because my mother liked her and loved spoiling her daughter“
“True – and that’s why your mom and her mom are doing something that is utterly pointless. You two have to find your own common ground and find your own way forward. It seems that the two of you are doing wonderfully well without them. Are you worried that maybe the pressure of their expectations will affect the two of you ?”
“No “ Bette said looking firmly at Peggy “Tina and I have something – I have no damn idea where it came from or what it is but God the two of us have this THING. I look at her and I just lose all sense of time and perspective and my grip on reality. You know how romantic I am – you know how my whole life I have just wanted to spoil the right woman “
“And as often as not the wrong woman “
“Exactly – well the thing is Peggy – I really believe that Tina is the right woman “
Peggy nodded “Just enjoy it and take every day as it comes – enjoy being with her and don’t be planning the wedding just yet – explore and enjoy”
“We are “
“Not just sex “ Peggy said making Bette laugh
“I didn’t say that I was just thinking about sex “
Peggy smiled “ She is very pretty “
“She’s beautiful “ Bette replied “And hot “
“Bette – my advice is to just enjoy what is happening for as long as it lasts. If the two of you are going to build a future then it has to be based on friendship and affection. I know you Bette Porter and you do not open up about yourself very easily – trust her and communicate with her “
Bette nodded – she knew that if her mother found out about them these were the words of advice that she would be giving.
“Thank you Peggy “
“Delighted – I like her a lot and I know that Helena likes her as well “
“Tina is concerned that she doesn’t want to come between the two of us – Helena and I “
“Your friendship with Helena is rock solid – just drag her out now and again and feed her “
“I do – I think that the two of them get on well “
“Not like Helena and certain others “
Bette smiled “ Yeah – that’s been a problem – but Tina isn’t like that – she’s cool with Helena and they love ganging up on me “
“That’s a good start — the three of you are welcome here as often as you want. Maybe when you and Tina tell your parents you might all like to come out for a long weekend “
“That would be fun “ Bette said
“I would be interested to meet Emma “
“She confuses me “
“She is the mother of the woman you love – bite your tongue “
“When was the last time you bite your tongue Peggy ?”
Peggy looked offended “ I frequently bite my tongue and before you get carried away – Emma wants the right woman for Tina and you obviously are right for her. I know you think she is being obnoxious but in her own way she is trying to do her best for her own daughter. Now from talking to Tina I am sure that she just doesn’t know how to deal with her own daughter and that is actually very sad. You and Helena have often dated women who I have wanted to drowned in a barrel. I knew that they were wrong for you but nothing I could have done or said would have been enough to make you see sense “
“I don’t think you need to name names “
“No –I don’t think I will “ Peggy paused “Bette – I am very impressed with Tina”
“Is there a but ?” Bette asked
Peggy toyed with saying what she wanted to say but decided against it – in the two conversations she felt that she understood Tina much better and that Bette was in a place she had never been before
“Hey there “ They both looked up – Tina was walking towards them – she was wearing a black bikini and looked lovely. Peggy looked immediately at Bette and saw the look of sheer devotion and desire on her face
“Morning – seems you beat me to the pool Bette – hey there Peggy – how’s the book ?”
“I haven’t made that much progress with it “ Especially as reality is far more interesting at the moment Peggy thought.
“Hey babe “
Bette smiled “Hello “
“What’s the water like ?” Tina asked aware that Bette was looking at her with a lot of lust in her eyes and Peggy was watching to see how they interacted
“Wonderful “ Bette replied. Peggy suspected she was referring to Tina in a bikini not the water in the pool
“Great – I woke up stiff after all the swimming we did yesterday – I thought I would get it out of my legs – what do we have planned today Bette ?”
“I don’t know “ Bette swallowed – Peggy managed to suppress a laugh – if Bette stood there much longer she would be drooling.
“Why don’t you try the water for yourself Tina – I was thinking that the pool might need remodelling – tell me what you think “
Tina smiled at Peggy and after winking at Bette she took a run at the pool and launched herself into the water. She emerged from the water several feet along the pool. She burst out of the water and swept the water from her hair
“The water is gorgeous “
“Not the only thing “Bette replied watching Tina closely
“Bette “
Bette reluctantly tore her gaze away from Tina to look at Peggy.
“Its just that she’s so “ Bette shook her head “ There aren’t the words to describe her “
“Bette – earlier I said that you should enjoy your time with Tina and communicate with her and just take it every day. I have one very important thing to add – breathe out now and again “