Let me try, her mother said, softly.  You let Daniel try.  Hes there with you. 

            Carrie looked over her shoulder to where Dan sat, showing family photos to Bette while Angelica pulled on his index finger.  What are you going to say?

            That I miss her.  Caroline could hear the tears in her mothers voice.  I miss my daughter, Caroline.  I miss my family.  I miss all three of you in a room together, teasing each other.

            And Bette? Carrie asked.

            I cant speak for your father

            But he loves to speak for you, Carrie observed.  Realizing she said that out loud, she apologized.  Im sorry, mom.

            I love your father, Caroline, but I agree with you.  On this, he is wrong.  Bette is welcome in my home, Rose Kennard said deliberately.  Any further explanation of my opinion I will be glad to give to your sister.  Put her on the phone, Caroline.

            Ok, Carrie whispered, more to herself than to her mother.  She made her way back over to the table but she couldnt bring herself to meet anyones eyes.  She couldnt believe she was about to do this.  Mom wants to talk to you.

            All eyes on Carrie.  Ok, give me the phone, Danny said, reaching for it, pissed at Carrie for making Tina think of their mother when she could have given him the phone more discretely.

            No, Dan, mom wants to talk to Tina, Carrie said, looking at Tina.

            Tinas eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.  Me? she asked incredulously.  Did you tell her Im still a big *****?

            Carrie bit her lip.  Not in so many words, but she knows youre still with Bette.  T, she said, adopting Bettes nickname for her sister and covering the phone, she doesnt know about the baby.

            Dad called this morning, Danny added and Tinas head snapped in his direction fast enough to give her whiplash.

            Ok, one second, Carrie said, putting the phone to her ear again.  Hold on one minute, mom, she said, covering the phone again and sitting down gingerly.  He called this morning, Tina, and when he asked about you I told him you were great and you were still with Bette and he, well, he

            He hung up, Tina Danny finished for his sister.  Tina closed her eyes, a tear slipping out.  Eight years and it still hurt like the first day. 

            Tina, Bette said softly, and Tina looked at her wife.  Baby, I think you should talk to your mother.  Bette put the baby in her chair and reached out to Tina, brushing the tears from her cheeks.  Ill be right here, no matter what she says.  I think you need to do this.

            Tina nodded.  Give me the phone.

            Caroline handed it over.

tbc ?