One and Only

Chapter 78

Bette let herself into the apartment and dropped the lock as soon as she was inside. After a long day with Tina when they had gone for a run and then spend the day at the cinema eating too much popcorn – finally Bette had packed her bag and returned home. She had felt sad to know that she was would be sleeping away from Tina tonight but in less than a week they were going on holiday with Tina and her mothers. That was going to be a real treat. The apartment was quiet  – Bette wondered if her parents had gone out – she would certainly expect to hear the TV at 9 o’clock at night. She went to her room and emptied her bag and sorted things out – she put her toiletries back into the bathroom and gathered her dirty clothes up and went into the kitchen. After a few minutes of setting the washing machine running and examining the contents of the fridge she went towards the sitting room. The door was slightly ajar and Bette could see that the TV was on – she could also see the sofa – her parents were sitting together. Bette stopped and watched them. It was unusual for them to be sitting together  normally her father would be sitting in his favourite arm chair watching sport or reading case papers. But they were sitting together and watching TV. Bette smiled – well that had to mean that things were better between them – thank God for that. Deciding not to interrupt things she went back to the kitchen and started to make herself a snack then head back to her room and maybe text or IM Tina. She was just thawing some rolls out in the microwave when her mother walked into the kitchen
“Hello darling “
Bette turned and smiled at her mother
“Hello – you and dad looked cosy. I didn’t want to disturb you just in case “ she said
“Don’t be cheeky “ her mother replied smiling “ We are just watching a movie”
“I didn’t say you weren’t “
“You used to be less cheeky before you met that young woman of yours “
But Bette could see that she was joking by the grin on her face
“No idea what you mean “ Bette replied “ I am just making a sandwich “
“I gather you and Tina have been to the movies all day – have you had nothing to eat ?”
Bette knew if she mentioned the two hotdogs, the packet of candy and the popcorn she would get a telling off about junk food.
“I am just hungry – we went for a run this morning – who have you been talking to ?”
“Kate. I am not getting at you – I am just asking. I know what 17 year olds are like – you will be eating all sorts of junk – you have been to the movies – so the two of you ate too much popcorn right ?”
“I am not that bothered by popcorn – but Tina is a real addict “
“Well I suppose when you are your age and you are as active as the two of you popcorn isn’t not the worst thing to eat. Go and see your father when you have fixed that sandwich. He wants to talk to you about your holiday. Did the two of you enjoy your trip to the Jekyll and Hyde restaurant ?”
“Very much – we had such a good time and it was awesome to hang out with dad – Tina really likes him “
“He likes her. She is just a lovely girl – your dad says that you two are very happy together”
“We are – we are so lucky that everyone has supported us. We know that a lot of baby dykes are not as fortune as us. Thank you “
Rosemary took Bette by the hands and looked at her for a few minutes and smiled. She knew she said it so often and she knew that she must be boring the pants off everyone at work but she was so blown away by how Bette has changed. Bette had gone from being a really reserved and slightly scared child to a assured young woman in the space of only a few months. A few months in which she had been on an incredible life journey with Tina Kennard. Whatever her life brought her – and Rosemary was confident that Bette was destined for great things – she would always remember these few months of discovery with her first love.
“What ?” Bette asked after a few minutes
“I am very proud of you – we both are “
“Thank you “ Bette said for the want of something else to say “ Can I go make my sandwich ?”
“I came in to make a snack for both of us. Go and see your father and I will see if  there is anything more appealing I can rustle up for us. Your father is off work for the rest of the week and there’s a black and white horror move night on some obscure TV channel”
“Oh – what’s on ? I wonder if Ti knows about it ?”
“Go and ask him what’s on”
“Mom “
“Yes honey “
“Would you and dad be okay about Tina staying here with us sometimes ?”
Rosemary had discussed this with Melvin
“Why don’t you wait until you get back from your holidays and see how things are doing then ? When you get back you will only have three weeks before you go back to school”
“I know  this has been one summer I will not forget “
“I know – tell me something – are you and Tina going to be out when you get back ?”
“Yes” Bette said without hesitation. Rosemary raised one quizzical eyebrow at her
“No doubts ?”
“No – apart from the fact that I am really looking forward to shocking all those people who think I am some robot who does nothing but produce essays and pass exams with top marks – well there is nothing to be ashamed of. This is who I am “
“You know that not everyone is as easy going as we are about this – there are going to be people who are not going to like the fact that you and Tina are baby dykes as you call yourselves”
“But whose got the problem – that’s there issue – not mine or Tina’s. I do know what you mean mom and we have talked about it but I couldn’t ignore what I am or what I feel about Tina. What we have isn’t wrong “
“I know that honey – I am just saying “
“The only way to be happy is to live life on your terms – that’s what you and dad have always taught me. To be who I am – well I didn’t know who I was – well I did “
Bette moved away from her mother and went and picked a cookie out from the jar. She took a couple of bites and thought about what she was trying to say
“What I mean is that – yes I did know who I was – I knew I was gay. I have known for as long as I can remember. I have never thought I was straight. I might have wished I was straight and I might have thought that if I ignored it then being a lesbian would go away. But all that knowing was doing was making me more miserable – I am not miserable any more. I am happy and excited and I love waking up every morning knowing that either I will open my eyes and Tina will be next to me or I will see her really soon. This is so amazing mom. I couldn’t go back to school and go back to being who I was trying to be – I am not going to try and sit in a corner any more – that’s not what I am about. Yeah there are gong to be people who have a problem with us  – well you know – I am not going to lose a seconds worth of my life worrying about them”
Rosemary smiled “ You are your father’s daughter. Of course you are right to think that way. I am just saying that you should be prepared for some comments”
Bette shrugged “No one in their right mind is going to take on Tina – not with her mom’s law firm behind her. I gather Emma is not above threatening schools with what she will do to them if anyone upsets her precious daughter “
Melvin had come to stand at the kitchen door and had heard his daughter’s speech as well as her remark about Tina’s mother. He walked into the kitchen
“Good evening Bette”
“Evening dad – are you enjoying your time off ?”
“Its wonderful – I gather you and Tina have no intention of being in the closet when you go back to school”
“No – we are not going to be in anyone’s face but equally – well we are who we are “
Melvin caught Rosemary’s smile  – well yes – this was what they had taught Bette. No point in backing away from your own philosophy just because things might get slightly uncomfortable
“Bette feels safe because if anyone upsets Tina a certain large NY law firm might get involved “ Rosemary said
“So I gather – well on the one hand I can understand Emma being determined to protect her daughter but there are easier ways than threatening the school and whoever else with legal action”
Bette took another cookie “ I know – it’s the quickest way to make Ti go bright red – suggest that Emma will one day use the whole firm to sue someone for upsetting their princess. Thank God Tina is more sensible than her mother. I am going to see what these black and white horror movies are – I can text Tina and tell her”
Left alone Melvin retrieved a cookie and ate in with an amused smile on his face.
“You are delighted she is going to be out at school aren’t you ?” Rosemary said
“Well we cannot teach our child something that we both believe passionately in and then tell her to stay in the closet when she might get some grief because of who she loves.  She’s been an outsider her whole life and she’s actually beginning to enjoy the fact for the first time.  If things get hairy for them I will speak to the head – he’s not going to let anything bad happen to anyone – he’s a good man”
“I know that – but it’s a hell of leap “
“How often do you tell me that she has changed and that she is finally emerged from her shell ? When I was with them yesterday what struck me was how happy they both are and they seem so at ease with one another. It looks like more than just a teen romance to me “
Rosemary sighed “ Yes – Kate said that – she asked me what would happen when it comes to college “
Melvin finished his cookie and rubbed his hands “I imagine that is a subject that is going to dominate for the next 14 months or so. They could always go to the same college or colleges close by – if they don’t – if they pick and get into places hundreds of miles apart – then – then there are going to be a lot of tears. She will get her heart broken one day – maybe it will by Tina in a years time. I don’t know Rosie – I wish I did and before you start on me – I do want to protect her but you cannot protect them forever and if we are saying she is mature enough to be gay and to sleep with her girlfriend and go away with her – then she is old enough to decide where she wants to study “
“But “ Rosemary started
“No sweetheart – Bette makes her own call about college. We will go with her to look at Yale and Harvard and I know what she used to say – that she wanted to go Yale but maybe she and Tina have already discussed all of this.  We both vowed on the day you found out you were pregnant with her that she would make her own decisions as much as possible – we would not repeat with our child what happened with our parents – especially my father. She is more mature than either of us were at 17 – she is 18 in a few months – she is very wise for her age and she knows her own mind – and that’s something that you and I can be really proud about – she’s our daughter in every way Rosie “
Rosemary sighed “I am proud of her and you are right that we do have to let her make her own calls about college – but is momma bear Emma going to let Tina make those calls that we are going to let Bette make ?”
“If she’s not mature enough to tell her mothers that its her life – then – she shouldn’t be sleeping with anything other than a teddy bear. Can I help you with making some food dear – I am hungry and I gather our daughter is as well “
“She’s had two cookies”
“I think you will find that she’s had double that number – she took two out in her hand “
Rosemary shook her head “ Okay – lets find some food – I assume the two of you are going to stay up and watch these horror films ?”
“We could watch them in bed – I am sure Bette will be talking to or texting Tina for most of the night “ he went to the fridge and looked into it thoughtfully “ I fancy a sandwich and maybe some fries as well “
Rosemary sighed and went to get the rolls from the microwave that Bette had forgotten about when they had started talking.
“I know we are doing the right thing Melvin – she’s just a different person since she met Tina – its just that she’s not going to be her only girlfriend is it ?”
Melvin looked at his wife for a few seconds and shrugged
“I have a feeling that Tina and Bette are always going to have a very special connection. They may not always be together and they both may fall in love with other women but – well – I think there is something about the two of them – maybe its because of the connection between the four of us but — well their lives are always going to be mixed together. “