In the end they decided to go and stock up on provisions before they went for a walk, so the daylight was starting to fade when they set off towards the lake. Tina was reading a leaflet
“We could try canoeing “
“You are joking “
“No – says here we could learn it in a couple of hours “
“Are there anything in this lake that might devour us if we fall in ?”
“You have watched too many horror movies “
“I hate horror movies as you know “
“White water rafting ?” Tina said smirking
“I see the lake as more the back drop to our weekend – rather than the centre of it”
Tina tucked the leaflet back into her jeans and took hold of Bette’s hand
“Okay – smart ass – what do you envisage us doing ?”
“Walking – hiring a couple of bikes “
“That’s not a bad idea “
“But in an utterly ideal world – that huge bed would be the centre of the weekend”
“We didn’t leave New York and our beds just to fuck in a different bed “
Bette smiled “Damn “
Tina kissed Bette’s cheek “Don’t worry – there will be lots of sex – but we are in a beautiful place and we can do things that we don’t get to do every weekend in New York – so you and I are going to make the most of this “
“Its beautiful “ Bette said “But then so are you “
“Corny but sweet “ Tina said as they reached the lake. They sat down on fallen tree and looked over at the scene. The lake was lapping towards them and they could look over to see mountains, the ripples on the lake would sometimes break
“That’s probably a trout or salmon “ Tina explained as she saw Bette watching the ripples “ We could get a licence and try our hand at fishing “
Bette’s look told her she would have more chance of getting her canoeing than fishing
“You are just a city girl Porter “
“And you are not Kennard ?”
“I am but we would always come to places like this three – four times a year and my mom loved things like fishing and she would take me on nature trails “
“I take it you mean Kate “
“Oh yes – the other one would come out with us now and again but she tended to bring work with her and always have some briefing to bury her nose in “
“We are not talking about her remember “
“Tell me honestly – how pissed are you at her ?”
Bette took Tina’s hand
“She was out of line to attack me like that but – well maybe I could have held the painting back”
“It doesn’t justify how she spoke to you “
“To be honest I was more angry about how she dis-regarded you “
“Yeah “ Tina sighed “That hurt – its what I have come to expect but it wasn’t good to be slapped back like that in front of you and your folks “
“I am not really sure how I didn’t take her apart for that dismissive remark “
“I think she was one or two remarks from someone taking her out “
“I should have “
“No – no you should not have. I love how protective you are of me. Its really comforting but she is my mom and if anyone has to tell my mom a home truth or three it has to be me. You were responsible for her changing her attitude towards us and I don’t suspect that you had to threaten her in a very overt way. I think you just made it very clear that you were on the scene now and you wouldn’t be happy if she kept putting me down “
Bette smiled “ I just pointed out a thing or two to her. But you stood up to her and she came to her senses “
“Well – however it happened – I am very glad that it did. But last night – she was out of order – Helena will like the painting fine – the fact is that she begrudges Peggy having the new painting – -that’s sad and it doesn’t show her in the best light”
Bette looked out to the lake and marvelled at how a body of water that big could look so calm and tranquil
“I thought we agreed not to talk about them “
“We did – but I wanted to know if you were brooding about what had happened”
“I don’t imagine we will have the warmest greeting the next time our paths cross but she was the one lashing out and saying stupid things. She really has to be careful not to burn her bridges with everyone – you were more angry than me “
“I was ashamed – she’s shown me up in the past when I was growing up. I remember her picking a fight with my headmistress at school at a parents evening. Kate and I walked out in the end. I guess just because I am 26 it doesn’t mean I cannot be shown up by the old bat “
“All I will say is that the person she is going to have the most problem with isn’t me”
Bette said “ Anyway – subject closed okay ?”
“Okay “ Tina kissed Bette on the cheek “ I love that you want to be my knight in shining armour but “
“But you had two very strong parents and you want some space “ Bette suggested
“I was going to say that I want to be your equal and I think that I am. I know that I was really struggling with my self image when we first met and got together but since then – well you keep telling me how much I have changed and I can feel that I am emotionally stronger and more self confident. Peggy told me when you and I were in the Bahamas with her and Helena that you had always dated women who were not your equal and could never be. Your mom and dad have always been your role models and you want a woman who can compliment you the way that your parents do with one another “