Fan Fiction
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Life and Love and Why – 6
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Paul and Tina sat together on the chairs by their father’s hospital room, watching the doctors and nurses do their checks for the hour.
Paul glanced at his watch, and sighed. "We’re gonna have to get out of here soon."
Tina glanced at him.
Paul sank back in his seat. "Cath is going to have to go back to work, you know."
Tina only looked at him.
"I’m just saying," Paul said, closing his eyes. "Mom might need some company."
"How’s Karen?" Tina asked suddenly, switching the subject on her brother.
Paul smiled at the thought of his wife. "She’s fine. She’s working on this after-school program in poor neighborhoods."
"And you? How’s life as a civil servant?" Tina teased.
"Ah," Paul laughed lightly. "What can I say? It’s hard work, and the pay’s horrible. It’s perfect for people with martyr tendencies."
"Which is why Mom loves it so much," Tina said.
Paul smiled. "Yeah."
They fell into an awkward silence, both aware that Tina’s retort referred to their mother’s standing as a local politician, long-standing career politician who had always focused more on her work than on her own family. It had been why the different children’s ambitions — college professor, social welfare activist, toy designer and movie producer — all fell short of her expectations.
Tina, the business graduate, the most popular and well-liked of them all, was supposed to follow in her footsteps.
"You know I never got to apologize," Paul said softly.
Tina glanced at him.
"When you left, that Thanksgiving. I wasn’t here, but I didn’t try to get in touch when I got home and actually heard about it." Paul glanced at her. "I know Ned went after you, and I would have, too, but, you know, we were never close. I didn’t know how…"
"To tell me I wasn’t the aberration Mom so vocally told me I was?" Tina finished for him.
Paul sighed. "I guess."
Tina sighed. "God. When Cath followed up where Mom left off in the tirade, I just wanted to curl up and die."
"You didn’t deserve that."
Tina turned to him. "Who told you?"
"Ned. Dad never talked about it." Paul paused, then shook his head. "Actually, he did. Once. Told me he knew his choices were to make everything worse by making you stay, or letting you leave and letting Mom think it was OK."
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Not having a sibling myself, your convo w/all three sounds very realistic. It’s funny how Tina can be upfront and honest w/her brothers but not w/Bette. Bette can offer her solace and comfort and support. Her brothers seem kind of lost and inadequate in knowing what to do and how to move forward for the most part. It’s obvious to me that her bros just don’t quite get her except for being apologetic after her parents basically disowned her and their grandchild. This dynamic along w/strong writing is what makes “Brothers and Sisters” such a good TV show.
Having siblings, we decided to let our oldest sister to make the final decision about our mother’s health after we all gave our thoughts and suggestions. This chapter took me back. It’s sad to see that Tina’s mother and sister cannot put away their differences for a while while they decide what to do about their father/husband. Tina admits to herself that she was going to need a little help getting through all this. I wish she calls Bette. Great update. PPS
I’ve been one of the siblings that have discussed the medical fate of a parent. We didn’t have the complications of Tina’s family, but we had some of our ouwn. It makes for a very odd and stressful time. On the one hand it is static, even boring, just sitting around in the hospital keeping vigil. Yet at the same time it is extremely tense and emotional. I’ll be interested to see the inevitable interaction between Tina and her mother and sister.
Hopefully Tina will call Bette and tell her what is going on. Then just maybe we will see Bette, Angie and Helena walking down the hospital corridor. Thanks for posting.
I hope that the little help will come from Bette. Tiff, that was excellent. You are really giving Tina some background. The entire family’s emotions seem to run deep and it sounds like they were dysfunctional long before Tina professed her love of Bette to them. Super story…can’t wait for the next update.
Great update! I love learning more about T’s family! PPS!
Being the decision maker in that kind of situation would be really hard… but it might bring them all together. Maybe, over the course of Tina’s stay, some of the issues the Kennards all have with each other will be addressed, and resolved. Wishful thinking? If Tina does call Bette for help, I don’t think she’d hesitate to come… but I wonder (worry) if Helena’s actually the first person on Tina’s speed dial just now. Great chapter, tiff, thanks.
Tina’s mom has some mighty high expectations resulting in one big family mess. Clearly, it’s not easy to have a situation with one ill parent and one parent who’s an idiot.
i think tina needs a lot of help going through this, and bette is the one to help…let’s just hope tina is brave enough to turn to her for comfort and help
YES, SHE WILL NEED A LITTLE HELP FROM BETTE AND ANGE. Families can just be so toxic!!! Ned and Tina deserve credit for getting out. Taking that step towards sanity is very hard. Like this realistic story. PPS.
An awesome update. Thank you. :)
it takes a certain kind of strength to admit that we need help… i’m glad that tina sees it now. i am hoping that bette is the one she turns to not only because i ultimately want to see them back together but because i feel that bette is the best person who can give her the support she needs.
Ahh come on Tina just call Bette already!
I was hoping for an update, what a great surprise..keep it coming. great story.
I don’t buy Paul’s rationale for why he and his dad didn’t stand up for Tina & Ned – but I suppose in families you tell yourself what you have to. This is going to be a bumpy and painful ride for the Kennards – but a necessary one. It’s good that Tina is thinking of reaching out to her chosen family now – fractured as it presently is, they’re a part of her too.
family dynamics in a hospital setting is fucking horrendous. i am very patient. thx