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“So I got back from swimming and I could see that she was still mad at me “Bette finished telling Peggy. They had talked about antiques for a while then after some prompting from Peggy Bette had ended up telling Peggy what was on her mind. She felt she needed someone to talk to and she knew that for all her bluster and bragging Peggy was a sensible woman.
Peggy sipped the scotch that Bette had given her and looked at the younger woman. Bette had changed in so many ways during the 20 years they had known one another. But one thing had not changed about Bette – she wanted to please people – and the one person she wanted to please above anyone else was Tina Kennard
“Well darling it seems like this is a dilemma – I can totally see how you don’t really want your in-laws living so close “
“It’s not that “Bette said “I just question how practical it is and how much would they be in our lives the whole time”
Peggy lent back “My mother in law was not the easiest woman and where my husband went badly wrong was every time we fought – and we fought a lot – he would go running back to mommy and tell her what a cow I was. Of course our rows blew over very quickly and make up sex is so good don’t you find. Anyway – he would forgive me for throwing whatever I had thrown and I would forgive him for being a jackass and it would be lovely. But she hadn’t forgotten what was said and she would keep our fights alive “
“That sounds like hell”
“It was – what you cannot have is a relationship with more than two people in it – its poison”
“That was one of the things that counted against us in LA –everything that happened between us Alice or Dana or Kit or someone would know about and it made our fights last longer “
“So if the Kennard clan are going to be in New York Tina needs to lay down rules – like they have their marriage and you and Tina have yours”
“It harder because they have only just come back into her life and I feel bad Peggy. I know what it means to them and to Tina and to Angie even that they are all a family. But “Bette threw her head back against her chair “But I don’t want to lose her and we do argue over her family. Tina would never and could never have told them she was gay when she was 17. And by telling her that she should it makes it seems that she is to blame for her boyfriend’s death. She has carried that around with her for her whole adult life. It was not her fault and until they both can come out and say that – well we are always going to have problems”
“I don’t know what to say darling. If you want them to come to New York I might be able to help”
Bette raised an eyebrow “How so ?”
“I have lots of contacts in this city – well I have contacts in every city. I don’t think it would be too hard to find your future father in law a position and the same goes for your mother. I would need to meet them for longer and chat to them but I could help with jobs if that would help you “
“I don’t know what to say”
“You might not want them to get good jobs in the city “
Bette shrugged “That’s the thing isn’t it though. I want the best for Tina and Angie. And they both love having her folks around “
“Tell me something “
“What ?”
“Taking away the business about what her father says about Tina – pretend that was sorted out”
Bette nodded
“Do you like her parents?”
Bette smiled “Yes I do. He – he is dignified and he has been through something awful for what he did. He has paid the price in missing his daughters growing up. And Mary has suffered as well – I can relate to how much they have both suffered. And like me they now have Tina back. I feel bad even wishing them to spend less time with her. I do like them and I want Tina and Angie to be happy”
“You keep saying that which is very commendable Bette – but would you be happy with them living close to you. Remember grandparents are excellent babysitters and you would know that they would always be there for all of you. Do you remember your own grandparents Bette?”
Bette smiled “My grandparents are hazy figures to me now but I had great aunts and uncles who I have much more vivid memories of. They were feisty and funny and I did love them”
“I don’t think you have it in you to do anything to stop them coming to New York because you love Tina and Angie so much. I do understand your concerns – you should voice them. You know that keeping anything bottled up is dangerous and in the end it will backfire on you. I will talk to them at the wedding and see if I like them but I would be surprised if I couldn’t find them both a job. I have some sympathy for him in many ways. I have a temper and even now “she shook her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was about to say “Even now I would kill anyone who hurt Helena “
“You are an old softie Peggy “
“I know I am darling – but that is a commercially sensitive piece of information. Now what do we need to do to get those pieces from Boston?”