CHAPTER 93

“Can we have some ice cream now please?” Angie said after she had finished the last piece of bread that had been on the plate in the middle of the table.
“You had ice cream last night and we don’t have ice cream for lunch – you can have a yoghurt if you are still hungry or some fruit “
“Gee – would you not like some ice cream granddad?”
“I don’t think I could eat another thing “
“Grandma?” Angie looked at Mary hopefully
“Not for me sweetie “
Angie pulled a face “I will go and get a yoghurt “
“Why don’t you ask if anyone else wants one?” Tina said
Angie remembered her manners – – especially after a look from Tina.
“Would anyone like a yoghurt?”
“I would like one “Bette said smiling
“Okay “
“Just you and momma B then “Tina summed up
Angie got down from the table and went into the kitchen. Jack chuckled
“What?” Tina asked
“That look you just gave her reminded me of you getting a similar look from your mom “
Mary laughed “Yes – that was a look that took me back”
“I was never in trouble when I was her age – I was perfect “
Bette sniggered “Apart from the pig tails and the braces “
“And the bad clothes “Mary added
“You aren’t helping “Tina said
“If you look to your left you will see the final member of the clan – Ms Sheba doing her best stroll casually into the room and make sure that everyone sees what a handsome girl she is “
Mary looked at the cat “She is pretty “
“And knows it “Bette said
“For some reason Sheba is under the impression that she is the boss in this apartment. This greatly bothers Bette who is under the impression that it’s her name on the deeds of the apartment and therefore it’s her place “
Sheba had stopped when she saw the new people and was eyeing them trying to assess them
“Hello Sheba “Jack said – he took a small piece of chicken from his plate and offered it to Sheba. The cat moved a few paces forward – accepted the chicken and allowed Jack to stroke her.
“See Bette – if you let people do that you would be the boss “
“You are allowed to tickle me under the chin but that’s as far as it goes” Bette replied.
“So do you let Sheba be the boss?”
“I have tried to reason with her but she doesn’t understand the logic that it’s our home. I rescued her from her 4 hooligan brothers at the shelter so she owes me a debt of gratitude “
“Short memory cats “Mary said with a laugh “She is a good looking feline. Did Angie say that you are getting another one?”
“Yes “Bette said “Tina dropped us in it when we were telling her that we were getting married .To be fair we had been discussing this and we thought that Sheba would enjoy having a pal”
“Have you discussed this with Sheba?” Jack grinned
“Don’t you start – Angie has been sitting telling Sheba all about it for weeks. She is discussing what sort of cat she wants. The calendar in the kitchen has been marked for weeks with the date we are taking her down to the shelter.
“You better make sure you only come back with one cat “
“That has been discussed “Tina said laughing.
Angie came back through carrying two yoghurts – she gave one and a spoon to Bette
“Thank you – do you want to get the New York guide books so we can decide what we want to do this afternoon?”
“Yeah – cool “Angie walked over to the book shelves, lifted down the three guidebooks and sat on the sofa and started looking through them. Sheba went across to Angie and sat beside her.
“We have been talking – Tina and I “Bette began “We are getting married at the end of December – it would mean a lot to both of us if you would agree to be at the ceremony. It’s been a tough journey for the three of you and speaking just for me – well I can see where Tina gets her love of life and her kind heart. Jack- it was a very brave thing for you to come to New York and come and see me. I admire both of you a great deal and I know what it has meant to Tina”
Mary rubbed a tear from her eye “It would be an honor to be at your wedding “
“Jack?”
“Are you both sure – from what you both said you want your wedding to be a private and special day “
Tina took her father’s hand “Having the two of you at the ceremony would make it special. When Bette and I got married in LA – there was a lot of our friends there – and people we knew through work and it cost us a fortune. Spending that much didn’t make it certain that Bette and I would stay married. We have both changed so much – we have a daughter for a start – we know less people but the people we know in New York are very dear to us. Of course I want you both there. I am re-marrying the woman I truly thought I would never see again. This is destiny – I love Bette and nothing would make me happier than my mom and dad and my daughter seeing Bette and I exchanging vows and telling anyone who is listening that we are going to spend the rest of our lives together. “Tina looked at Bette
“I am so proud of Bette and I would love the two of you there to see us and wish us well “
“Of course we would love to be at the wedding “ Mary said “We didn’t know if you were certain that we are okay with you being gay “
Tina looked at her mother “I think that if I do seem to be doubtful it’s got more to do with me and my feelings. Ever since I left Carolina – one of my justifications about not going back – not getting in touch has always been – well they wouldn’t be able to deal with me being gay. If I had been braver I would have got in touch – the two of you didn’t go anywhere “
“I couldn’t “Jack said smiling.
“I should have done a lot of things – I should have talked to Bette – I should have told her what had happened. I lied to her and all our friends about why I didn’t have a family. One of our former friends used to joke that I was brought up by a pack of wolves. I kind of let that stay in place because I didn’t want to face the truth. Not telling our friends was one thing – but not telling Bette was wrong. When Louise showed up – I lost it – I just flipped and ran off with Angie in tow. Anything could have happened and I scared our daughter “ Tina looked over to make sure that Angie was well out of hearing range “ She hasn’t been scarred by it – that was mainly because of Bette being so supportive and loving”
“It cost me being master of my own home “ Bette joked
“But I have issues and I know that the two of you do as well. I only see that now – there will be times when we fall out but we are family. Bette and I argue but it doesn’t shake our relationship because we know that we both have demons still. I know that and luckily Bette and I now give one another some leeway. If I seem odd and we don’t really show any affection – it’s not because Bette and I don’t love one another – we do and we are a very affectionate couple but “Tina sighed
“I am getting there – that’s all I want to say “
“I think it’s obvious that the two of you are a happy couple. You don’t have to be all over one another for that message to come across. In fact – it comes over strongly when the two of you don’t realize it “