But there were some things she still couldn’t bear, no matter how much she loved her family. Angelica held up a chip with a glob of cold cheese on top, offering it to Bette. Bette smiled weakly and shook her head. Angie in turn offered it to Tina, who ate it without a second thought.

Ugh. Bette turned her attention away from the processed food being consumed and tried to focus on the game. The Yankees were up at bat, and a cute guy – handsome in that meaty jock way that was not her type, of course – was swaggering up to the plate. The buzz of the crowd grew louder and Bette assumed he must be one of their star players. Bette cynically wondered how much he was being paid. It was probably some obscene amount, her and Tina’s salaries combined and multiplied several times over. She doubted he deserved it. Anyone could hit a ball and run in a circle. She arbitrarily hoped he would strike out.

He didn’t, of course. He hit the ball with a crack and sent it into left field. His teammate, who had been on second base, was rounding third and booking it towards home, sliding in and being called safe before the outfielder got the ball there in time for him to be tagged out. The stadium went wild, standing nearly en masse and erupting in deafening cheers. The score was now 8-5, in favor of the Yankees.

Tina and Angie were cheering but Bette stayed quiet,clapping twice and then crossing her arms. Angie tugged on her sleeve, her eyes wide.

“It’s a home wun, Mama! Did you see it?”

Bette smiled at her. “Not quite, sweetheart. That was a single, not a home run.”

Angie frowned, digesting this. “A single,” she repeated.

Tina glanced at Bette, eyebrows raised. “I guess you do know the rules.”

“Told you so.”

Bette settled back in her chair, feeling a bit more self-satisfied. She even allowed Angie to ply her with a few pieces of candy. It was getting chilly, though, and she wished she had worn a heavier coat. Tina had dressed herself and Angie warmly, but Bette felt under-dressed and cold. She clapped absently as the next batter came up to the plate, mostly to warm her hands.

Angelica was cheering beside her and Bette found her daughter’s enthusiasm infectious. She soon found herself rooting for a hit.

The batter hit the ball and Bette turned to Angelica to share in her excitement, only to see the little girl had her hands raised. Bette whipped her head back around and the ball was headed straight for them. People all around her jumped up to catch it, but Bette leapt up and picked it out of the air before it could land in the hairy mitts of the burly man sitting in front of them. Bette raised her hands up in victory and everyone nearby congratulated her. She beamed and handed the ball to Angie.

“Now don’t throw it back, sweetie,” Bette cautioned. Angelica nodded and hugged the ball to her. Bette caught Tina smiling at her, and was warmed from the inside out, chill forgotten. Tina was looking happier than she had in months, ever since they’d left L.A.

“Nice catch,” Tina said over the din.

“Why, thank you,” Bette teased.

“My boss is going to love to hear about this.”

“I’m glad we came.” Bette said suddenly, surprising herself.

“I’m glad you’re glad,” Tina replied, her eyes twinkling. “I told you it wasn’t such a bad game.”

“You were right, as usual.”

Tina laughed. “Maybe we can keep playing when we get home?” she asked with a sly smile.

“Fine with me, as long as you let me start on second base,” Bette winked, then leaned forward and kissed Tina briefly over Angie’s head. The crowd around them whooped it up. Bette rolled her eyes, but she wasn’t really annoyed.

“How about a season pass?”

Bette raised her eyebrows. “For the Yankees, or for…”

Tina considered. “How about both?”

“I’m game,” Bette grinned.