ONE AND ONLY

CHAPTER 69

Emma emerged from the shower wrapped in a large towel and was standing making a decision about what to wear for a day in the office making her final preparations for  a major court case that started the next day. So she was considering casual trousers and a tee-shirt for what would be a day of steady research and meetings. As she was picking a pair of trousers the door opened and her wife entered. Kate was still wearing pyjamas.
“Hey “
“Hi – how’s Tina ?”
“Wound up – she’s worried about Bette and her dad “
“Any developments ?”
“Just that Bette was told to go to her room last night when Rosie got in from visiting some friend of theirs and she’s been keeping her head down ever since. Tina is worried that Melvin will tell Bette that they cannot see each other “
Emma exhaled “ I don’t think that’s likely do you ? After what he said about him being more hurt by Rosemary than by Bette”
Kate sat down “ Maybe we should have all kept our mouths shut about what was an ancient feud ?”
“Maybe – but how were any of us to know that they would fall in love and be so inseparable ? At first it was just going to be that they were going to the same school”
“I have sent several texts to Rosemary and she hasn’t answered them “
Emma shook her head “ I know I have a low opinion of him – well I am supposed to have a low opinion of him but he is not going to hurt his pride and joy by stopping them being together. I think a lot of things about Melvin Porter but he is not some Victorian patriarch – that was his father and he suffered enough at his hands. Melvin wouldn’t do anything that made him think he was turning into his father. He did a lot of dumb ass things at college but that really was because he didn’t know any better. He was gallant in an era when it wasn’t fashionable”
Kate looked at Emma “That was a very fair and nice thing to say about him “
“Well its fucking insane that the past is rearing its head here and stopping two girls being together who hadn’t even been thought of when this thing started. I know I was an insufferable ass Kate – he was as well. He cannot be as bad as he was because Bette has turned out to be amazing “
“That could be Rosie “
“Yeah but it isn’t  – Bette obviously adores him – she says that and so does Rosie. She has the right values”
“It would total devastate Tina – that’s what she’s afraid of”
“She’s a worrier – something she gets from you” Emma pointed out.
“Thanks “ Kate smiled -she was just about to head into the shower when someone knocked at the door. They exchanged looks
“That’s either Rosemary or Bette “ Emma said
“I will get it -I don’t think either are ready for you in as little as that towel “
Kate hurried out of the bedroom. Emma removed the towel and put on her robe – just in case she was needed. She went to the bedroom door and opened it a little so she could listen to whatever conversation went on.
Kate opened the door – Bette was standing there. She looked 17 again-  not the confident young woman that they had all seen emerging from her shell.
“Is Tina up yet ?”
“I think she was heading into the shower “
“Oh okay – I will wait downstairs “
“You will most definitely not “ Kate took Bette by the hand and brought her inside the apartment and closed the door. She looked at the young girl and smiled
“Tina is worried about you – tell me what’s been happening ?”
Bette looked close to tears
“Its okay – we know what happened last night and we are here for you and your mom”
“He knew – he’d known for a few weeks he said. He said he didn’t care that she was a female or  that she was a Kennard – he cared that we thought so little of him that we would lie to him”
Bette burst into tears- Kate took hold of her and pulled her close and held her while she sobbed.
“Bette – this is not your fault sweetie – none of this is to do with you and Tina “
“He looks so hurt  – he never looks hurt and he’s hurt and I have hurt him”
“Its going to be okay  – what happened this morning ?”
“He had gone to work when I got up at 6:30 – I heard the front door shut at about quarter past. Mom is really quiet and she says that he’s upset and its best if we leave him alone to calm down”
“Did they argue last night ? Did you hear them ?”
“Mom shouted a lot but dad hardly ever raises his voice – he’s just not like that. He’s really sad that I wouldn’t tell him”
“Did you not tell him because Tina is female or because she’s our daughter ?”
Bette’s look told Kate that the answer was the latter – she had been afraid of him hating who she was in love with – not the gender. One the one hand it was great that he had not reacted badly to finding out she was a lesbian . Kate didn’t know if maybe he did have an issue with Tina being a Kennard – he claimed he didn’t but was that to cover up his real feelings ?
“its going to be okay Bette I swear – come on – come in and wait for Tina”
She didn’t have to wait long because Tina’s bedroom door opened and she burst out wrapped in a much smaller towel than Emma had been earlier
“Bette – babe “
Bette pulled away from Kate and straight into Tina’s arms
“Its okay babe – sssh – its okay – I have been so worried – its okay “ Tina was hugging Bette tight and speaking to her. Kate had never seen Tina in this role before and she stood back and watched them. The love between them was obvious  – this wasn’t just about sex  – this was about support and affection and real feelings. That made things really sweet but it also made it harder that they were going through such a hard time because of something that was not their doing. Kate looked round to see Emma watching what was going on from the doorway of their bedroom. Bette looked at Tina who rubbed some of the tears from her face
“Its okay “ Tina said softly “its okay “
She kissed Bette on the lips – that was another first – them seeing their daughter kiss her girlfriend.
“I am sure you can look after Bette but please put some clothes on and start some coffee in the kitchen – we will all feel better after some food”
Tina looked at Kate and nodded. Kate looked at Emma who smiled.
“Come on into my room and we can talk while I am getting dressed” Tina said to Bette taking her hand.
Well – if that didn’t perk Bette up nothing would Kate thought in amusement. But it hadn’t seemed like a sexual invitation – it was just that they needed to talk in private and that would coincide with Tina getting dressed.
Kate went back into her bedroom. Emma had started to get dressed and was wearing light grey slacks and a white blouse that she was just beginning to button up.
“You okay ?” Kate asked Emma
“I guess we are going to have to get used to the fact that she’s nearly an adult – and that means caring for someone and being there when things are bad for her girlfriend”
“I know what you mean “ Kate said and flopped onto the bed and lay looking at the ceiling for a few seconds
“And kissing Bette”
Kate laughed – it was funny that they had both thought the same thing about the same two incidents
“I am sure they do more than kiss “
I am sure they do as well – but we haven’t seen them – I don’t think I have ever seen them do anything other than hold hands “
Kate looked at Emma “I was watching them the other day and it was the way they were looking at each other – that total devotion and obsession”
“Yes  I know. I am sure Bette will be fine. Its probably not a bad idea for her to stay here while the dusts settles at home. Is there any chance you can go and see Rosie today ?”
“I was planning to go at lunchtime”
Emma sat down on the bed and took Kate’s hand
“How the hell did we let things get this bad ? Bette is devastated – Tina is worried sick, Rosie is in the dog house – all because of me and him “
Kate wanted to tell Emma that as she had let this fester for as long as it had it was partly up to her to fix matters but that tactic never worked with her wife. Emma had to decide that she needed to fix something for it to happen – otherwise it wouldn’t and she would resent the hell out of anyone who suggested she should.
“The kids don’t deserve this Emma. They are so happy and so full of what its like to be in love and totally obsessed with someone else. They are discovering sex for the first time and they have their whole lives ahead of them  – this isn’t their fight and we shouldn’t let them suffer – and they are “
“I did wonder last night if maybe it would be a good idea for them to go on holiday – you know – just get any from all this nonsense and see if the four of us could fix things in the meantime”
“That’s not the worst idea in the world. Why don’t we wait and see what I can find out from Rosemary. They might have straightened things out. Mind you – no one leaves for work before 6:30 if everything is hunky dory. He is still upset “
Emma looked at Kate
“If Tina had told you and not me that she was gay and I had found out much later by working things out for myself – I would have been devastated “
“But would you have blamed Tina or me ?”
Emma let out a long sigh
“I would have not blamed Tina – I would have partly blamed you but more than anyone – I would have blamed myself for being a bad parent. I once had a conversation with him. This was before the egos got in the way. We were both fairly wasted on bourbon and we were talking and he started telling me about his dad and about how he used to beat him for the slightest thing and that he was terrified of him. I remember him saying that he wanted kids so much and no child of his would ever be afraid of him the way he had been of his own dad. This must be utterly devastating for him. “
“Its more devastating for his daughter and our daughter “ Kate reminded her “They are taking their first steps as adults and this is dropped on them. They don’t deserve this”
Kate sat up
“I am going in the shower “