“You don’t know – I think only a therapist could help you with that “

“Maybe I do need therapy “

“That’s not what I said  – you have so much going for you and it genuinely seems that you and Bette have put your past behind you. You cannot blame it all on what happened when you were 18. We were all messed up by our parents in one way or another. You have got Bette back, you have a lovely daughter and you are going to get married. I am pretty sure that therapy will not help you “

“Maybe I need to see him “ Tina said

“Is that what Bette thinks ?”

“Bette has been very good in not telling me what she thinks I should do. I guess its one of the ways in which she has changed – she is less certain in her opinions – she sees all sides of the argument – she was never like that “

“Yeah – I have noticed that  mind you she is still very fixed in loathing Jenny “

“Its reassuring “ Tina said laughing “Anyway – I don’t know what to do. Bette says that he just wanted me to know that he loves me and that he didn’t blame me for feeling the way I do. He is not asking for a meeting – but I do think that maybe its what he wants”

“What matters most is what you want “ Shane said

Tina poured more coffee “What I want is for the bat shit crazy sister of mine to leave me and my family alone”

“But do you think you could meet your parents again ?”

“I don’t know Shane – I have always thought it was utterly impossible  – not only because of the mess that was left when I came to LA but also because of my sexuality. They are the only family that we have left  – all of Bette’s family are dead apart from Kit and she has made it clear that she doesn’t approve of Bette and I being together. I do have so much anger against them  – anger that I have had nearly all my life  — anger at being ostracised – angry that no one took my side – maybe I have never been able to let that anger go – I don’t know “

“You have to do what is right for you Tina – Bette will tell you that – its not about her or Angie  – its your battle and you are the one who needs to either make peace with  your family or close the book.”

“What would you do Shane ?”

“I don’t know – I hate my father but I hate him because I love him. He is a prize rat in every sense  — he has the morals of a snake – but at the end of the day – he’s the only family that I have ever had – the only biological family anyway. I guess if he showed up on my doorstep I wouldn’t be able to turn him away Tina. It seems to me that he’s holding the hand of peace to you “