Is this love

Chapter 4

Rosemary checked on the beef that was roasting in the oven, everything was set and she was pleased with her morning’s work. She went back into the living room and sat down – Melvin looked up from the New York Times
“Anything I can do my dear?”
“No thank you – you and Bette can wash up though “
“Well that is not the punishment that it used to be “
“Not since my husband bought me a dishwasher “
“To replace himself who has been your dishwasher for a lot of years “
“You wouldn’t have it any other way “Rosemary said sitting down and picking up the book review section of her Sunday newspaper
“I know “he grinned “What time are we expecting Bette?”
“I said lunch would be at 1 – she is never late -” she glanced across to the clock above the fire place – it was 11:45am “I don’t imagine that she will be much longer “
“She must be tired – an exhibition always takes it out of her”
“She is also as fit as a flea as we both know – she is more than capable of looking after herself “
“All the same “Rosemary sighed “I wish she looked as if she was ready to settle down”
“This is all about Emma’s daughter isn’t it?” he challenged
“Well – it could well be serendipity couldn’t it “
“It could also be interfering in her life which she has not appreciated since she was about 17 – she has always been very independent “
“Surely “Rosemary began but Melvin spoke again “Rosemary I would love for Bette to settle down with the right woman and of course it would be wonderful if Emma’s daughter and Bette were compatible but our daughter is her own woman and we have to accept that for everything that it means “
Rosemary sighed “I know that you are right – but if we could just bring Bette and Tina together maybe they would fall for each other “
“As I recall Tina is still in a relationship – I am not saying that I am ruling out a little gentle match-making but I draw the line at involving Bette in a situation where she might get hurt. If Tina was single, I could be talked into giving Bette a push in the right direction “
“I know that you are right – Emma is so sure that Tina and this woman are not right for one another “
“And she could be right – so let’s not jump the gun. When Tina is not seeing anyone THEN we wait until we get the right time and circumstances. “
“You could be right “
“I am right “Melvin said “Just be patient Rosemary – Emma always could drag you into things without consideration. Just give it time “
“What if she meets someone else “
“And if she does and she is happy with a new partner would you be delighted or would you be delighted?”
The doorbell sounded
“And that will be Bette “Melvin said getting up. He was half way out of the room before he stopped and looked at his wife
“I am not saying for a second that I am against a little match-making – but timing is the most important thing here. You and I have never interfered in Bette’s life and before we do, I think that we should meet Tina and see what she is like “
Rosemary nodded – she knew that Melvin was right. He loved his daughter as much as she did and there was no prouder a parent that them. Timing was crucial and it would also do no harm in meeting Tina Kennard to assess whether she was good enough for her very special daughter.
“Hey mom “
Rosemary got up to greet her daughter. She didn’t look as if she had been worn out by the travails of her exhibition, she looked as beautiful as always. Today she was wearing fashionable black jeans, a navy-blue sweater and a long black woolen coat. She was also carrying a Bloomingdales bag
“Darling “
They embraced
“Is it still cold outside?”
“Warmer than it was when I was out for a run at 8am this morning “
“You went for a run at 8 am on a Sunday morning?”
“I needed it – I have been so busy – I just wanted to get the week out of my system”
Melvin came back through and sat down
“Would you like drink Bette?”
“Coffee “she replied smiling “Before you go, I have something for you – both of you “
Melvin smiled. Bette put her bag down and removed two packages beautifully wrapped.
“For you “Bette handed a bottle bag to her father and a smaller bag to her mother
“Thank you “Melvin said – he opened the bag and took out a bottle of Johnny Walker blue label whisky. Bette loved to indulge her father’s love of really fine scotch and bourbon “You noticed my other bottle of blue label was looking a little empty”
“Well you and I demolished far too much of it at New Year “Bette said smiling
“Thank you, Bette, “
Melvin and Bette embraced. Rosemary opened her package to discover a large bottle of her favorite expensive perfume
“Darling – thank you so much “Bette hugged her mother “You spoil us “
“Well you used to spoil me “Bette replied grinning “It’s only fair that I spoil you now that I can “
“Thank you, Bette, – your mother is right – you do spoil us “
Bette shrugged “I like to – now where’s that coffee- can I smell beef for dinner? “
“Yes “
“Fantastic “Bette removed her jacket and wandered out to hang it up. Rosemary looked at Melvin
“Emma says that Tina’s current girlfriend is utterly unromantic – she would “
Melvin leant across and kissed his wife
“You are too impatient my love. Wait until Tina is a free woman and then we will see if we can maybe bring the two of them together in the most subtle way possible. If we interfere, we will do more harm than good “
Bette came back into the room
“Mom told me that you have been in court for the last couple of days – how did that happen?”
“Oh Bette – did you have to ask him that – I will go and make some coffee – I really have heard the full story of Perry Mason’s court successes more times than is good for me. You have the time it takes me to get the coffee machine up and running – after that it’s a no-go area”
“Don’t you believe it Bette – she loves hearing about how I put the bad guys away”
Bette laughed and sat down
“I am all ears “she said leaning back “Fire away “