—–

“I tried to ring you last night – were the two of you out clubbing or something?”
The three Porter’s were sitting at the dining table tucking in their Sunday lunch. Bette had also provided a very good bottle of wine which they were all enjoying.
“We were having dinner “Melvin explained
“Yes – your father ran into an old friend of ours last week so we all went to dinner last night “
Bette raised an eyebrow in interest “Really? “
Rosemary put her knife and fork down to take a sip of wine
“Yes – she was someone that your father and I were at college with “
“Yeah – that’s fantastic – tell me all about it “
“Well the three of us were very close – hung around together a lot “
Melvin got up and walked across to a cabinet and returned a few minutes later with a photograph
“That was us when we graduated “
Bette took the picture and looked at it with great interest – her parents were instantly recognizable of course. Her father looked handsome – tall with curly hair and that noble stance that she had always idolized. Her mother was beside him – tall with long dark hair and a stunning smile. Next to them was a blonde – she was shorter than her mother but very pretty. They were all wearing graduation gowns and looking very happy
“I have never seen this picture before “
“Emma gave it to us last night “
“You should have it put in a frame – it’s a lovely picture “
“Emma was the person who stopped me graduating top of my law class “Melvin explained “Very clever woman”
“I always thought she was very beautiful – do you think she is beautiful Bette?”
Rosemary asked – what had struck her the night before was how she looked like Bette had when she had graduated – so she had asked Emma if Tina had inherited her looks – apparently, she was more stunning than Emma had ever been
“Yes – she is – I do have a thing for blondes I must admit “Bette said
Rosemary grinned – handy piece of information to have. Melvin raised his eyebrows in amusement – Rosemary obviously had got a bee in her bonnet about this potential relationship. She needed to step carefully or she would spoil things
“Emma is a wonderful person – I just cannot believe that she has lived in New York all her adult life and we have never crossed paths “
“Is she a lawyer as well?”
“Yes – have you heard of Kennard, Truman and Black?”
“Rings a bell – does she work for them?”
“She is the controlling partner- Emma Kennard “
“Impressive “Bette commented still looking at the photograph “Good to see a woman running the shop “
“Oh, Emma could run the country if someone was foolish enough to let her – she was very political at University. In fact, the three of us were regarded as firebrands “
Bette grinned at the thought of her very lovely but ultra-respectable parents as “firebrands “
“Yes – I have heard you both talking about what activists you were at college – I might have to ring this woman just to get independent verification “
Bette was laughing
Rosemary grinned to herself – that could be very easily arranged. And if Emma was keen on introducing Tina and Bette just on what they had told her about Bette – she would be utterly blown away by meeting the real thing.
“You would like her darling – she is a very sweet woman “
Bette nodded “I am sure I could persuade her to tell me some stories about my parents that you two have been keeping from me all these years “
“I am sure that she would be delighted to “Melvin said – he was amused by the way Rosemary was steering this conversation about their old college friend. Some might say that she was leading the witness in the direction that she wanted. Had Melvin been the defending counsel he would have been on his feet objecting several sentences ago. As it was, he was merely an interested spectator – Rosemary should have gone into law – she would have been very good. She needed to step carefully though – the unwitting witness MS B Porter would soon sniff a rodent.
Bette resumed eating and for a few seconds the conversation took second place to the food. If Melvin was leading the case he would have been looking to get in good and early to Bette that Emma was a lesbian – the question was how Rosemary would tackle this one.
“We talked for hours about old times didn’t we Melvin?”
“Yes, it was wonderful to see her – your mom and Emma were best friends – always plotting something or other “he said dryly.
“Well I know what Helena and I are like when we start talking about college “
“There is an interesting point Rosemary – you and Emma are like Helena and Bette “
“Well I can see the similarities “
“At college were the two of you always tucked away in coffee shops plotting who fancied who and who they would set their friends up with? “Rosemary asked
“Oh, hell yes – actually one of the couples that we got together in our third year are still together “Bette said laughing “Must text Helena to remind her about that “
“I just loved Emma – we both did – she was such a lovely person “
“Well its marvelous that the three of you have all found each other – how did you find her?”
“I was coming out of court and there she was “
“I wish I had known – it’s a long time since I watched my father in court “
“I was always so proud of seeing you watching me but that day was not one of my finest hours – the second day was better – I won those three cases “
“Did it whet your appetite? Do you fancy getting back into it again?” Bette said teasing her father
“No “Rosemary said “your father is best doing what he does “
Bette smiled at her father “Is she right?”
“Well yes and no – I did enjoy my time but I was rusty “
“That will soon go “Bette encouraged “Does Emma Kennard still take cases?”
“No – she’s the controlling partner so I imagine that it is a very much a managerial role “
“She must be well off – controlling partner “Bette commented
“She was always down to earth – her father was a high court judge so she was very well off at college – money isn’t everything “Bette’s mom said
“I know that – I shared a house with Helena whose mom is one of the richest women on the eastern seaboard “Bette said smiling “Mad as a frog on acid though “
“Emma never let how much money she obviously had change how she was “
Melvin could see which way Rosemary was leading this conversation – he lent back with his glass of expensive wine and watched his wife’s next moves as if they were being played out on a chess board
“To be fair to Helena she can be a frightful snob when she is trying to get good service but she’s always been a very loyal and sweet person “
“I am sure that Emma would rather have had her parents understanding rather than their money “
“What do you mean?” Bette asked
“Emma’s parents did not take well to her sexuality “
Bette’s eyebrow went up in surprise. Melvin stifled a laugh – nice move darling.
“Emma is gay?” Bette asked
“Yes – and in those days – all those hundreds of years ago it was much more of a bigger deal than it is now. It was a huge thing for anyone to come out as gay. It’s remarkable really that she is where she is now- she has surmounted so much “
Bette nodded “I am impressed – she is a controlling partner and she is a very out lesbian – that does take some going “
“We were really the first of a generation who refused to be held back by being colored or female or gay “Melvin said
Bette nodded “I am impressed – maybe the two of you were old revolutionaries after all “
“Finally, she believes us “Rosemary said laughing
“That was delicious mom -thank you very much “Bette finished her meal and started to stack the three plates together – there was very little food that was going to waste
“Shall I go and make a start on the washing up ?”
Rosemary looked across at Melvin- she wanted a few minutes alone with her daughter and Melvin knew that.
“It’s okay darlings – one job that I now like doing is loading the dishwasher instead of being the dishwasher – then I – a mere man will bring in the apple crumble and custard “
“Since when have you been a mere anything? “Bette asked her father
He laughed as he collected the plates “Darling – you and your mother have always been my greatest cheerleaders – thank you “
Rosemary finished her wine and Bette took the bottle and filled up the three glasses again.
“If you had wanted to bring your friend Kat with you it would have been fine by us”
Bette laughed “You don’t mean that “
“Bette – of course we would welcome any of your girlfriends “
“We all know I don’t have proper girlfriends – I have dates who look good “
“Like Kat on Monday?”
“God why am I such a sucker for such a pretty face? Did you have the misfortune of speaking to her?”
“We exchanged pleasantries in the bathroom “Rosemary said
Bette laughed “She was stunning to look at – boy was she good to look at but – well she lacked in other departments “
“At the risk of sounding like a snob who works for the best library in the world – she didn’t strike me as having ever read a book “
Bette chuckled “Not unless it was the sort of book that came with crayons “
“Now who sounds like a snob? “
“Oh mom – I am proud of my snobbery – you know that about me “
They both laughed “Bette “her mother said trying to look serious
Bette sighed – there was no such thing as a free meal and the price she was going to have to pay was a sermon about it being time she started thinking about settling down.
“Yes mom “
“Are you happy dating these – eh trophy women?”
“They are not all trophies “Bette said knowing that most of them were
Rosemary raised one eyebrow at her daughter – a sure fire means of taking about 10 years off Bette’s age.
“Bette Porter “
“Mom – I am not over the hill – I am 30 years old – I am a very success art dealer – probably the youngest gallery owner in a very artistic city. Remember you and dad and Emma Kennard fought numerous campus battles so I didn’t have to be judged on my marital status “
“That is right – and do not demean the battles that we fought in the 60’s Bette. However, this is not some theoretic construct – this is a mother being concerned about her daughter – her only child who she adores and only wants the best for “
Bette sniffed “Sorry mom “
“It’s okay – I would worry about you whether you were gay or straight – I want you to be happy and even though Monday was your night of greatest triumph I could also see that you were sad “
“I was tired – I had been living on adrenaline, coffee and candy bars. All I could think about was getting the show up and running so I could get some decent food, have a run and curl up in my hugely expensive Queen-sized bed “
“And did you?”
“Yes “Bette smiled “It was marvelous “
“You know when we fought all the battles that we did none of us knew that one of the consequences of our new freedom was that women who not have time for finding a partner “
“You did, so did dad – did Emma?”
“Yes – her wife died a couple of years ago – I think she still misses her. “
Bette sipped her wine