In the car a few yards away, Joanne Kennard is watching with curious eyes on this Bette Porter.
“You met Ms. Porter Megan, what is she like?” Joanne asks.
“She´s funny, she´s nice, she´s really nice with Christina, she owns a great gallery.” Megan says.
“Seems lovely.” Joanne says.
“Yeah, she is.” Megan says.
“I´m gonna go talk to her.” Joanne says and looks over at Paul.
“Do you think that´s a wise idea?” Paul asks.
“Paul, honestly, what I did yesterday? That´s not me, and you know that. I have to appologize to her, at least talk to her.” Joanne says.
“Okay, but I´m not okay with it Joanne. I don´t like my daughter being gay.” Paul says.
“Christina says love is love, and people can´t help who they fall in love with.” Megan says.
“She´s right Paul.” Joanne says after a few moments of silence. “I´m gonna go talk to her, hope that she´s willing to listen.” Joanne says and opens the door and steps out.
She walks slowly over towards Bette.
Bette notices her when she´s almost at her side. She put her guard up right away.
«May I take a seat?» Joanne asks.
«Okay.» Bette says reluctantly and slides over to the other side of the bench, trying to get a little away from her.
«How´s Christina?» Joanne asks.
«So you do care for her?» Bette asks, harshly.
«I guess I deserved that. Yes, I care for my daughter, I love her. Ms. Porter, I am really sorry about what I said to you yesterday. I had no idea…» Joanne says, as her words get caught in her mouth.
«That lesbians could have a family, with kids? That our life is just like a heterosexual life, only its two women that loves each other?» Bette challanges.
«Something like that… I am really sorry for what I said, and I am even more sorry ofr your loss. I wish I could take it back. I don´t want to make excuses, but I guess everything just dawned on me, I could´ve lost a daughter yesterday and then getting the news that she´s a lesbian too. I shouldn´t have taken it out on you. I´m sorry.» Joanne says.
Bette is silent for a few moments.
«For two years, I´ve been living in the dark, only existing for the only reason to go to work. I was starting to get myself out of that hole, I started coming to this little cafe, diner, whatever you want to call it. I came there just to get out of the gallery, some place other than home and work. It was the only time I allowed myself to imagine something other than darkness, but I only allowed myself that half an hour I stayed there. When I left the diner, I was back to myself. Then one day, this waitress comes up to me and asks me why I look so sad. I hadn´t seen her there before, she was new.» Bette says, Joanne listens carefully. «I looked at her and imidetely felt an attraction towards her. But I held my guard up. I couldn´t betray my family. I still belonged to Caitlin and Isaac in my head. But every day, from that day on, this waitress would take her break with me, we sat and talked and talked and got to know each other. I fell for her, but I didn´t dear do anything to jeopardize the new friendship, and I still had my family in the back of my head. But then one night, she asked me out. And I found myself say yes. She new by the way, about my family. I guess that´s one of the reasons she waited so long to ask me out.» Bette is smiling now. Joanne can´t help but smile a little too. «We started dating, and I fell more and more for her. She was an amazing friend to me, she would listen to me, hear about my day, my weekends everything. I love her, and I can´t imagine my life without her in it somehow.» Bette says, she wipes a few tears away. «She´s you daugther, and I am completely in love with her. And from what I know, she loves me too.» Bette says.
«Wow.» Was all Joanne could say when Bette was finished with the story. «That was a great love story.» She adds.
«Do I sense a but, in there?» Bette asks.
«No, no buts. I take it all back. All I want for my kids is that they succede in life, and experience love, and be happy. I can see that Christina has all that, with you. It will take some time to get used to, but I hope you´ll able to forgive me, and that you would want to get to know me as much as I want to get to know you. You seem like a great person, and Megan just loves you, seems Michael does too, and I see you care for them too.» Joanne says.
«I do. They are great. You have really great kids Mrs. Kennard.» Bette says.
«Thank you, and please call me Joanne.» She replies.
«Okay, Joanne. Thank you.» Bette says.
«I should say thank you too, for giving me another chance. My husband isn´t okay with this yet, but I´ll make him come around… How is Christina?» Joanne asks. «I saw you run out earlier.» She adds.
«Oh, you saw that. Earlier today, her heart stopped.» Bette starts.
«Oh my God, what happened?» Joanne asks, as tears starts to fall down her face.
«I don´t know. They got it started again, and they took her to surgery. They were going to take some tests and then take out the respirator. But suddenly she stopped breathing.» Bette says as her tears starts again too.
«Why aren´t you in there?» Joanne asks.
«I can´t. My wife and son died in there about two years ago, same floor, same wing. I just, I cant go in there.» Bette explains for the third time.
«Oh, I´m sorry about your family.» Joanne says.
«Yeah, thanks. You should go in there. No matter how stupid you were, sorry, she needs her mother. Tell her that I accepted you apology.» Bette says.
«Thank you Bette.» Joanne says.
«Don´t mention it.» Bette says.
Joanne stands up, gives Bette a quick smile, then walking back to the car. She opens the door.
«I´m going up there. And the kids were right. Bette seems like a great person. I´m not gonna let this come between me and my daughter. I love her, no matter what.» Joanne says and walks off. Megan jumps out of the car.
«Megan, stay here.» Paul shouts, but it falls on silent ears, as Megan follows her mother.
«Mommy, can I say hi to Bette?» Megan asks as they are walking towards the entrance.
Joanne looks down on her daughter and then over at Bette.
«Sure, be quick. I´ll wait here.» Joanne says.
Megan runs over.
«Hi Bette.» Megan says and takes a seat next to her.
«Hey, Megan. Good to see you again.» Bette says and wipes her tears away.
«Why are you crying?» Megan asks concerned.
«Because I´m sad and afraid.» Bette says.
«Oh. Can I stay here with you?» Megan asks.
«Don´t you have to follow your mother?» Bette asks, pointing her Joanne.
«Can I? I´ll ask her if I can stay here.» Megan asks, pleadingly with her eyes.
«Sure.» Bette agrees and smiles.
Megan hurries over to her mother.
«Mom, can I stay out here with Bette?» Megan asks.
«We shouldn´t bother her sweetie.» Joanne says.
«But she said yes. Please mommy, can I?» She asks again.
Joanne looks up and sees that Bette is watching.
«CAN SHE STAY HERE?» Joanne shouts out.
«YES.» Bette shouts back.
Joanne watches as Megan runs back to Bette and takes a seat, before she walks into the hospital.