Responding to the doorbell, Tina got up opening the front door. Alex she said giving a warm hug to the woman standing at the door.

Hey, T-Bird, the woman responded giving Tina a kiss on both cheeks in the European fashion. It is so good to see you.

Its good to see you, Alex. Its been too long. Tina responded.

Yes, it has. Alex said as she followed Tina into the house and to the dining room table.

Alex, this is Jenny, our neighbor Tina said making introductions. Jenny this is Alexandra Magdalena Teresa Novack. She and Bette have been friends since elementary school.

Call me Alex, Alex said to Jenny as she walked to shake her hand. I can see that this neighborhood continues to attract beautiful women. (Never let it be said that Bette was the only one from the block to develop charm).

Jenny came over for a cup of coffee. Would you like some, Alex?

That would be great, T-Bird.

Jenny seemed to chuckle a bit at hearing Alex refer to Tina as T-Bird.

Alex sat down as Tina brought a cup of coffee and joined them at the table.

Tina said that a friend was coming to town for a visit. How long are you in L.A.? Jenny asked.

If it werent for T-Bird and Betty, Id say too long, but they make it worth it.

It sounds as if you dont care for L.A.

Not really. The place scares me.

It can be rather intimidating especially if you arent used to large cities.

Its not that. I just dont like L.A., too superficial. Everything is about beautiful people and beautiful money.

Alex, thats not true. Tina admonished.

Im serious, T-Bird. I dont have enough of either to play on this court.

Where do you live? Jenny asked.

Depends on when you ask. Ive been in Hungary for the past few months.

Oh.

Alex is a writer. Tina explained. She is an expert in medieval history.

I wouldnt say expert, T-Bird. I just like to write about it.

Oh, wait. Jenny said as a light bulb came to life. Youre A.M. Novack? Ive read one of your books.

Thank you. I always appreciate hearing that someone has.

Hey, Ive read them all. Tina said. Bette even takes time out of her busy schedule to read your books.

Well, if Betty takes time out of her schedule, then I must be flattered.

You mean, Bette? Jenny asked, puzzled.

I call her Betty. Its short for Bette E. Balls. Ive been calling her that for years. I am also probably the only person on Planet earth allowed to call her that.

I suspect that you are. Tina responded.

Actually, I earned the right to call her whatever I want. When we were kids, Betty got me in a lot of trouble.

Oh? said Tina and Jenny at the same time, their interest piqued.

It seemed like whenever Betty and I did something together we got caught because she either panicked or she felt guilty and confessed.

What sort of things?

You know, the usual kid stuff: smoking, skipping school, nothing too terribly criminal.

Tina chuckled, Bette has told me some stories about your adventures. What was it 6th grade that her dad sent her to private school to try to keep you two away from each other?

Yeah. Didnt work, though. He was so happy when she got into accepted into the college of her choice. He was sure I couldnt get into an Ivy League school and I would finally be out of her life.

Obviously that wasnt the case said Jenny making an intelligent observation.

No, we always stayed in touch, got together when we came home for Christmas break. I finished grad school early and was living in D.C. with my partner when Betty did her internship at the National Gallery. She spent six months living with us.

I bet that was a long six months. Tina said with a laugh.

It felt like six years. Alex quipped in return.

Jenny looked at her empty coffee cup. Well, I should be going so that you two can talk. Thanks for the coffee, Tina.

It was my pleasure to meet to you Jenny. Alex said while giving one of her charming smiles.

Thanks for coming over, Jenny. Ill talk to you tomorrow. Tina said as she walked with Jenny to the door before returning to the table and Alex.

Bette told me that you are dating someone new?

I just had a fling with my translator. Nothing long term.

Still have a girl in every port, Alex?

Alex laughed, Im afraid Im no Shane. I just never stay anywhere long enough for long term.

The difference is that you have one girl in many ports. Shane has many girls in the same port. Tina responded. Why did you have a translator? I thought you spoke Hungarian.

Thanks to my grandparents on my fathers side, I speak a little Hungarian, but I cant read Hungarian.

Ive got a bottle of Riesling chilling. I know that it is your favorite. Why dont we take it into the living room and talk.

Sounds wonderful T-Bird.

Tina went to get the wine and glasses. She brought along a bottle of Perrier for herself. Alex carried the bottle of wine; she put her arm around Tina as they walked into the living room together. Both women sat on the couch next to each other. Alex put her arm around Tina and Tina put her head on Alexs shoulder. To an outside observer, it might have looked romantic, but the situation was one of good friends who were comfortable enough with each other to be affectionate.

Talk to me, T-Bird.

Thanks for the flowers you sent when Tina paused feeling herself getting emotional.

Alex jumped in, My pleasure to send flowers to a beautiful woman. Im sorry I couldnt be here.

The note you sent meant a lot to me and to Bette.

They sat in silence for a couple of minutes, each contemplating the loss of Tina and Bettes baby boy.

Alex sat up opening the bottle of wine. She poured a glass for herself and a glass of Perrier for Tina. They held their glasses and returned to the way they had been sitting.

Betty emailed me. I know whats been going on with you two.

I figured that she would. Im sorry I didnt tell you Alex. I wasnt sure how to explain it all.

Well, it seemed rather difficult for Betty to explain.

It should have been difficult for her to explain. Tina said with a note of anger in her voice.

Do you want to start by telling me about this British ***** that youre banging?

Thats not fair Tina said as she sat up, taken by surprise.

When did I ever promise to play fair?

Helena has been very good to me. She is attentive, affectionate, and considerate. Unlike, Bette she puts me before work.

Okay, so your grudge ***** is a decent broad, but do you love her?

I cant believe that you are taking Bettes side.

T-Bird, Im not taking Bettes side. You know me; I call them as I see them. I see that you love Bette. Youre pissed at her, as you deserve to be, and you are ***** somebody else to get back at her.

That is not how it is. Tina responded.

Look, T-Bird. Weve been friends for a long time. I adored you from the first time that Betty introduced us. Weve always been straight with each other and weve always agreed about Bettys faults. Shes damaged merchandise. She should have been marked Reject at the factory. We both know that. We also both know that she loves you, more than she has ever loved anyone in her entire screwed up life. Further, I believe that you love her, despite herself.

I cant forgive her, Alex. This time she went too far, hurt me too much. Ive dealt with the years of her temper tantrums, her not communicating, her sacrificing everything for her precious career. The affair was the last straw.

I understand how you feel T-Bird. Before you make any final decisions, will you just hear me out? Youve got the baby to think about also. Let me say what I feel should be said. You do what you need to do; I just want to present a few things for you to think about before you do anything permanent.

Okay, I will listen. But, I am just doing this out of respect for our friendship. Ive made up my mind.

Fair enough. Alex said as she drained her glass. She poured another before beginning:
As you know, I am second generation American. Both sets of grandparents were immigrants. I grew up with a sort-of old world mentality. My grandmother had several miscarriages. You know what my grandfather did? He went to work, ***** he never left work to be by her side. My grandmother went back to taking care of the family. She didnt run to a therapist whining because he wasnt there for her being supportive.

Before you get upset, Im not saying that I agree with that, Im just saying that is how I was raised. You didnt go to a therapist, you didnt talk about your feelings. You sucked it up, stiff upper lip.

Im not your grandmother Tina said her voice betraying the anger she was beginning to feel toward Alex.

I youre not, T-bird. Im just trying to explain to you that some of us come from a different world than you do. We were engrained with a different mentality. I remember when I was about 8, my great-grandmother died. I remember asking my grandmother, arent you sad about Grandnana dying? Of course I am, she replied.
Then why arent you crying? I asked. She responded to me, Because I will do my grieving in private. Child, it isnt polite to let other people see you cry. You should keep your feelings where they belong, inside. I still remember that conversation to this day.

No offense, Alex, but I dont think I would have liked your grandmother. Tina responded.

She was a good woman. She was a product of the way she was raised. I knew that she loved me, she just didnt know how to communicate it. You know, Betty was raised with much the same mentality.

Thats no excuse Alex. Look at you. You didnt turn out like Bette.

You have to remember, I didnt grow up with Melvin the Terrible.

Tina chuckled at the representation of Bettes father.

Betty didnt have it easy. You gotta remember, Betty was born right around the time of the civil rights movement. Melvin grew up before that. It wasnt easy for him, even in Philly. He had to work twice at hard as any white man. Melvin learned early on to not show weakness, because if you did they would pounce on you like wolves on prey. He taught that to Betty.

She certainly learned it well. You know Bette. She doesnt show weakness.

Like I said, it wasnt easy for her. Kit on the other hand, I think she came out of the womb rebelling and she paid a heavy price. All those years of booze and drugs were a high price to pay. That made it even harder for Betty.

Alex refilled her wine glass before continuing. Melvin taught Betty that she had to be twice as good and not show any weakness. He also loaded that child with guilt. From an awfully young age, she carried a heavy weight on her shoulders. He made her feel guilty because he had worked so hard to provide her with opportunity, he made her feel guilty because Kit had failed him. He made her feel guilty because she was going to face discrimination because her father was black. That man played a number on her head.

You know how I feel about Melvin. Ive told you that. Tina replied.

Yeah, I do. In all fairness, he probably believed that he was doing right by Betty, preparing her to face all of the discrimination that he had faced, preparing her to be successful. He hated it when Kit wanted to go into music, he said that was no way to make a secure living. Then, when Betty got interested in art, he put his foot down. He told her that the art world could provide no job security. He wanted her to be a lawyer or a CPA. He told her that he hadnt worked so hard to see his children end up in penniless occupations.

Bette never told me that.

I suspect that there are a lot of things she never told you. It probably would have been better for her if she had done what Daddy wanted. Then she wouldnt have had so much to prove. Betty doesnt just have to be a success for her own sake; she has to be a success for Melvins sake. She has to prove to him that he made the right choice when he gave her permission to pursue her love of art. She has to prove to him that all of his sacrifices to give her opportunity were worth it.

How did she get his approval to go in to art?

She finally convinced him, in a round about way, that the world of fine art is a world of rich white people. If she could make it in that world, then they had made it. Melvin had finally succeeded when his daughter was able to move easily in the world of rich white people

Hes certainly proud of her now.

She sacrificed a lot to get it. Look T-Bird, Betty and I were raised with very similar mentalities, but she had an extra heavy dose because of Melvin. Youve gotta understand the load that she carries on her shoulders. Give her some credit for how far she has come.

Look at you, Alex. Youre not like Bette. You were able to overcome the messages you got as a child. Bette has never tried.

I was lucky, T-Bird. I met a wonderful woman who was able to help me put some things in perspective.

Im sorry I never met Catherine. Bette always spoke of her with such high regard.

She was incredible. 32 is a ***** age for a life to end. But, you know T-Bird. Id give the rest of my life

Alex blinked, obviously trying to fight the tears coming to her eyes. She cleared her throat, looked away from Tina and drank her wine. Finally, she was able to continue. Id happily give the rest of my life for just one more day with her. *****, Id give the rest of my life for just one hour; to just make love to her one more time; to hold her, look at her, and tell her how much I love her.
Alex looked away again, getting her emotions in control. Life is short T-
Bird. Its way too short. Dont throw away precious time with the person you love.

Before Tina could respond, Alex stood up. Anyway, Ive got to get going. Ive got a meeting with my publisher. I promised Betty Id drop by her office first to say hello. Then, Ive got to get settled at my hotel.
Youre welcome to stay with us, you know.

Thanks, T-Bird, but I dont think you and Betty need me here right now. Can I call you later? Can we get together tomorrow?

Id love to Alex. They walked to the door with their arms around each others waists.

Ill call you later, T-Bird.

You take care of yourself, Tina said as she gave Alex a hug.
You too. And take care of that baby. Alex said giving Tina a kiss on the cheek before walking out the door.

After Alex left, Tina poured the remainder of the Perrier in her glass. She walked out to sit by the pool, thinking about Alex. The woman had a life most people would kill to have. Despite what Alex thought of herself, she was attractive and certainly wasnt poor. She traveled the world and had no problem attracting lovers. Yet, she would sacrifice all that for one hour with her lost love.

Tina had always wondered why Alex lived her lifestyle. She never understood why Alex didnt settle down somewhere and with someone. Tina had always thought that Alex was searching the world for something. She finally realized that Alex was running from something.