Melvin lent back in his chair
“That was another delicious meal darling “
Tina exhaled – she really wasn’t sure that she could move. Bette picked her wine glass and raised it to her mother
“As always mom – you amaze me “
“Thank you darling “
“Truly the best Thanksgiving meal I have ever had Rosemary “
Rosemary smiled “Thank you Tina “
“I cannot pick out one thing that was not as good as everything else “
“I am happy that you enjoyed it Tina “
“I know that its disloyal but – boy you are a better cook than either of my mom’s “
“That’s very kind of you to say Tina “
“it’s the truth “ Tina said “Thank you Rosemary – both of you have made me so welcome – thank you “
“How could we not make you welcome when you have made Bette so happy “
Bette smiled at Tina – Tina had made her very happy – happier than she often knew how to articulate
“Thank you again – both of you “
“Tina has some good news “ Bette said
Rosemary grinned “ Have you heard from NYU ?”
“I have and I start the Masters course in January “
“Oh that is wonderful news “
“Well done Tina – you must be very pleased “
“I am really happy about it – its exciting “
“Are you thrilled Bette ?”
“I am very happy for her – she deserves it and I know that she will do really well. She knows how proud I am of her “
Melvin touched Tina’s hand “Well done Tina “
“Thank you Melvin – I might have to come round here more often looking for a free meal now that I am a poor student “
“Tina sweetheart – you will always be welcome here for anything. “
“I know – I don’t think it will come to that “
“Will money be tight – if you don’t mind me asking ?”
“I don’t mind the question – I am not going to be buying anything over the top for a while but I can afford the course fees from the money that my mother left me. I want to sell my apartment – that will top up my savings and mean that I can give myself money to live on”
“And we are having a long running argument about her letting me pay the gas and the electricity bills. I think I am on the verge of winning “
Tina laughed at Bette “You seem very certain about that Porter “
“I am certain because I am in the right – what do you think mom ?”
“I think that questions about bills and who puts the trash out are the fundamental issues in a relationship. I once went two weeks without speaking to Melvin because every time I cooked for him he drenched my carefully prepared meal with salt before he even tasted it to see if it needed salt or not “
Bette chuckled “Dad – how could you ?”
“We were living together when I was doing my post graduate studies and Rosemary was working in the University library as part of her post grad studies. I had only lived with my parents and I had a lot to learn “
“Did you learn the lesson Melvin ?”
“God yes – I don’t dare pick up the salt now “
“I once cooked him a full Sunday roast – this was when we were dating. I spent all week getting the ingredients and cooking him a really special roast – do you remember darling “
“Oh no – after 35 years I have STILL not been forgiven for this “
“And rightly so “ Rosemary said with a friendly smile.
“So what happened ?” Bette asked getting up and opening another bottle of wine and opening it before topping up everyone’s glasses.
“I think Melvin should tell this story “ Tina was amused that Rosemary was enjoying seeing her husband’s discomfort
“Do I have to ?”
“Yes “ Bette and Rosemary said
“I think its your duty Melvin – you don’t want Bette and I to get off on a bad footing when we start sharing a home “ Tina said
Melvin looked at her with a wry smile “You are supposed to be on my side “
Tina laughed and kissed Melvin “Regardless I will protect you Melvin”
“Thank you – I may need to take you up on that “
“Come on dad “
“I have to say in my defence that I really didn’t know any better and if I had known what the consequences would be I would never have done it “
“Your plea of mitigation is note Council “ Bette said “ Now stop wasting the courts time and get on with it “
“I put red sauce all over the meal “
“Red sauce ?” Bette said in amusement “You put tomato sauce all over a roast dinner ?”
“In defence “ Melvin began
“There is NO defence – there wasn’t at the time and there isn’t now we are giving advice to our daughter and her partner “ Rosemary said wagging her finger Melvin
“No mom – I want to hear how he tried to get out of it. Should I take notes ?”
“Never do this to Tina “ Rosemary said
“Out with it “ Tina said
“My father always put tomato sauce on his potatoes and on the vegetables he didn’t like “
“And you thought it was okay ?”
“Rosemary is in a different league when it comes to booking compared to my own mother bless her. And when this beautiful and kind woman who I was crazy about – when she started crying – I was horrified “
Rosemary smiled “Yes – he was and he could not have apologised enough or grovelled more “
“So “ Bette said “If I don’t want to upset Tina I should not pour tomato sauce over a meal she cooks for me “
“You better not “ Tina said winking at Bette
“I think that you two will be fine – but it emphasises my point that it’s the small things that you need to agree on and you need to give and take. I think if Bette wants to pay the utility bills for the first couple of years of your relationship you should let her Tina. You two are a partnership – and in 20 years time will it matter that Bette paid the gas bills for a couple of years – take the long view “
Tina smiled at Rosemary “Thanks – I guess we are both so wrapped up in me moving in and getting accepted for the course that we have over looked that we are in this for life “
Bette beamed “Is that you giving in ?”
Tina smiled “Maybe “
Bette took Tina’s hand “No tomato sauce “
Tina shook her head and looked at Rosemary “Has Bette always been such a charmer ?”
“Oh totally – just one flash of that beaming smile of hers was always enough to get her out of any trouble she was in “
“That hasn’t changed “ Tina said with a smile
Bette held up her hands “I cannot help my smile “
“Yes but you have always known the power of it “
“I am being picked on here “ Bette complained
“Thanks Bette – that gets me off the hook “
“I hardly think me offering to pay the utility bills is the same as you making mom cry”
Tina kissed Bette “Your mom is right – in the long run it doesn’t matter “
“And “ Melvin said smiling at how sweet Tina and Bette looked together “I learnt not to make assumptions. Like that Rosemary wouldn’t mind if I smeared red sauce on meals. I limit my red sauce use to burgers and that’s when I am in a bar”
“I think that’s a really sweet display of love -nice Melvin – really nice “
“Thank you Tina. I am sure that you and Bette are going to have a long and very happy relationship”
Tina looked at Bette “So do I “