Chapter 99

“Angie – you will die of frost bite if you go out like that “
“MOM “
Tina gave her daughter what her mother would have called a “mom look”. The sort of look that , if you are child you do well to notice because it means that she isn’t messing about – this is serious city and time to listen and preferably obey. Bette who was ready to go out and had been for 15 minutes and was waiting for her family and checking emails looked up at Angie who was very under-dressed for a trip to Central Park after what had been three days of almost continuous snow.
“Bette – will you speak to your daughter?”
Bette got up and walked across to where Angie was standing looking defiant
“Do you really think that there are any circumstances in which we are going to let you go outside wearing jeans, sneakers which I suspect leak and a shirt”
“I am fine and I want to go outside “
Granted three days stuck in the house with no school had left Angie stir-crazy and very bored. Bette had been out a few times to check the gallery but the snow storm was too severe to allow Angie to go outside. So when they had woken up that morning and the storm had utterly abated – they had all wanted to get outside the apartment and get some fresh air. Bette knew that Central Park would be at its most beguiling and perfect and she was looking forward to taking a long walk through the snow scenes and seeing Angie enjoying herself – and burning off some three days’ worth of excess energy which would make life more enjoyable.
“Yes I know you want to go outside “Bette sat down on the sofa and looked at her daughter – the one who just always had to have her own way “But its cold outside and the reason I know that is because the snow hasn’t melted away means it’s still freezing cold – yes the wind chill has gone but it is still cold and you will not enjoy yourself if you are cold “
Bette could see that Angie was looking dubious
“Okay -come with me “Bette held out her hand and winked at Tina
“Where are you going?”
“Making a point – find her some warm clothes while we are gone – we will be five minutes – probably less “
Tina smiled – Bette was so patient and she loved that about her. Tina watched as Bette lead Angie out of the apartment to obviously make her point about how cold it was outside. Tina got up and went into Angie’s room – as she was picking out what she actually wanted Angie to wear her mobile sounded
“Hello mom – how are you?”
“We are in the car about ten minutes from New York “
“Any reason?”
“Well he says it’s because he just wants to walk in Central Park in the snow but we are missing the three of you – it seems like a long time since we saw you “
“It’s been five days “Tina said
“I know – is it okay to come and see you?”
“Bit late given you are almost on our door-step?” Tina was amused
“Well I told Jack that we could drive up if it was okay by you – he has just admitted that he didn’t ring you “
Tina laughed “He’s going to be mighty annoyed if I say it’s not handy for us “
She heard her mother saying something to her father that sounded like “I told you so you old fool “
“Mom – mom “
“Yes dear “
“We are getting ready to go for a walk in the Park — you are welcome to join us – we are just trying to persuade Angie that she cannot go out in the snow in just jeans and sneakers “
“You hated getting wrapped up “
“For God sake don’t tell her that “
“So is it a standoff ?”
“Well it was until Bette joined in and she’s taken Angie out of the apartment. She has either taken her up onto the roof – in which case Angie will look like an ice cube or outside – either way I am sure Angie will be coming round to her mother’s point of view”
“Bette is sensible “
“I know – what are the roads like?”
“Totally clean – it’s marvelous “
“How’s dad?”
“Loving the snow – he was outside yesterday making a snowman with the neighborhood kids “
Tina smiled “It will be really cool to see both of you “
“I have been baking and I have made a lot of things for my daughter’s family”
“Now that is one hell of an offer “
“Can we come to the apartment first?”
“Of course – do you want anything to eat?”
“Your father says he has put on several pounds in the last three days – not that he is complaining “
“Okay – so you will be feeding us – how about coffee?”
“Coffee would be marvelous – we should be another 10 minutes – what are the sidewalks like?”
“Not as good as the roads – mind how you both walk “
As they were talking Tina heard the front door opening and slamming shut – and the unmistakable sound of her daughter complaining
“Mom – that sounds like Angie and Bette are back and our little know-it-all is freezing “
“Okay – I am sure she will still be complaining all about it when we arrive “
“She will be complaining about it when Santa arrives “Tina replied dryly hanging up her phone and picking up the thick warm sweater that she had wanted Angie to wear.
Back in the main living room Angie was hopping around – Bette was standing with her arms crossed looking mildly amused when Tina came into the room
“Would you like this sweater honey?”
“Heck yes “
“Heck?” Tina repeated “Heck yes?”
Bette smiled – she didn’t think she would repeat to Tina what Angie had said a few minutes earlier – something that had earned her another few seconds standing outside the apartment block where Bette had taken her to let her find out firsthand how very cold it was outside. Angie had got the message and the mild curse words had earned her a little longer outside while Bette had told her off for using words like she had and never to repeat them in front of her mother unless she wanted her pocket money stopping.
“Sorry “
Tina handed her the sweater and she put it on in record time
“So Bette – is it cold outside?”
“Ask your daughter “Bette replied “She was the one standing outside – I was outside as well but I am wearing a polo neck and a fleece and hiking socks and boots – I was snug “
“So was it cold outside honey?”
“Yes “Angie said in her best bad mood voice
“My mom has been on the phone “Tina said looking at Bette and deciding to see if Angie’s mood improved with the news of her grandparent’s imminent arrival.
“Oh that’s good – how are they?”
“A few minutes out – dad wants to be out in the snow and mom has been baking her way through the snowstorm so we will be going for a walk as soon as we have given them coffee and taken stock of all the food she has brought us “
“Oh boy – that is going to be great – your mom is a great cook – did she say what she has been making?”
“No but I imagine cake and cookies and pie “
“Perfect – I think after we have had a long walk I should take us somewhere nice for some hot soup and some lunch – I will get my wallet and have a look on line for some ideas “
“Are you okay pumpkin ?” Tina said to Angie
“Freezing “Angie said “Freezing “
“Well you were warned by us – it’s just as well we didn’t let you go out to the Park like that – why don’t you go and wrap up properly – some warm socks for a start and some boots please – then after we have some coffee and probably some of your granny’s cake and cookies we will be really ready for a trip to the Park – is that okay by you?”
Tina knelt down and touched Angie face “Are you going to be okay sweetie?”
Angie was trying to stay cross but the news that her grandparents were due to arrive made it impossible – she managed a smile at her mom.
“Yes mom “
Tina kissed her “ Good girl – go and get ready because if you are not wrapped up right there is no way your grandfather will let you go out and you might not be allowed to have any cake “
Angie left the sitting room muttering something under her breath – Tina chuckled – she really didn’t need her parents around to remind her how much like the 5 year old Tina – Angie was. The number of times her parents reminded her “like mother like daughter “- something that gave Bette hours of mirth at her expense.
Tina went into the kitchen and started to fill the coffee maker. She was getting extra cups out when Bette came into the kitchen
“Are you folks okay?”
“Sure – mom said that dad just wanted to walk in Central Park with his grand-daughter”
“That sounds like the sort of dream you have when times are shit and you are trying to find some image that helps you get through the day – or more likely the night “
Tina looked at Bette – why the hell had she not thought of that? Well maybe because as tough as things had got for her – it hadn’t come anywhere near the depth of despair that had torture her parents or Bette.
“That didn’t occur to me “
“No reason it should “ Bette said “ Do you think I should go and find where your parents have parked and help them – they might be weighed down with all those cakes and I would hate for any of them to be squashed “
“Are you concerned for your stomach or my parents ?”
Bette smiled “Your parents of course – how far away are they do you think?”
“Give them a ring if you want – it’s just as well they are about to show up given how utterly pissed off Angie is “
Bette crossed her arms – “My dad was big on showing me the error of my ways – he figured that if I realized why he was not letting me do x or y I would learn a lesson. I hate to employ anything from the Melvin book of parenting but I know how cold it was going to be out there and she is always wanting to go outside without wrapping up”
“So how long did she last – where did you go?”
“We just stood outside the building to the amusement of Bill the doorman “
“And how long did she last?”
“Well she made the mistake of just standing and trying to stare me down – I think it took about 2 minutes before she decided it was really really cold and she wanted to come inside”
“And how much longer did you make her stay outside above the two minutes ?”
“Well “ Bette weighed up being honest with Tina and decided she had to be “ Well there was a word that she uttered that I do not think should be used by a 5 year old so she got another 90 seconds worth of lecture”
“I don’t want to know “Tina said
“I think it was just because she was cold – bloody cold “Bette smiled and kissed Tina on the lips “I think you and I are getting a hang of this parent stuff “
“I think we are doing great – not sure how we will cope with two kids “
“We will find a way – whatever it takes – are you okay with her while I go and put my hat and gloves on and go and meet your parents ?”
“That would be sweet of you Bette – thanks”
“No problem “
Bette took hold of Tina and kissed her again “ You and I will be great with a baby – I am looking forward to it “
“No guarantees “ Tina was just hoping that she did get pregnant very soon because she wasn’t sure how well they would both deal with a number of months’ worth of disappointments . It would be a repeat of the crushing disappointments that had so harmed their marriage and eventually lead to the chain of events that had ended their relationship. Bette squeezed her tight
“We are going to be okay I promise – as you said the other night we are different people and we are. We have the strength to take as long as it needs – we already have a daughter – that will make things easier “
“I hope you are right “
“I know I am – I will ring your parents – cannot have anything happening to the food – I mean your parents”