He did not say that, Tina admonished.

            Excuse me, were you there? Danny asked.

            He did not say that, she repeated to Bette.

            Whatever, Tina, Danny dismissed.  Then he sent me to my room.  I was seventeen.  I hadnt been sent to my room in almost a decade.  End of the story?  She dances on a bar and I get two months lockdown for it.  The only reason I could leave my room was for school and to go to the bathroom.  I couldnt even baby-sit Caroline.  She was, what?  Five at the time?

            No, Im twelve years younger than Tina so I was four, Carrie explicated.

            You exaggerate so much, Tina said, shaking her head at her brother.

            How would you know?  You were obliterated, Danny argued.

            This, Caroline said to Bette, is a pretty clear picture of my childhood.

            Seems pretty good to me, Bette observed.

            It was, Carrie confirmed.  Ive missed it.

            After dinner Bette and Caroline headed back outside with Angelica while Tina and Danny went to talk in the living room.  It was clear that Tina and Danny needed to talk, and their sister was more than happy to spend time with Bette.  So, Bette, tell me about yourself.  Im ashamed to admit that I dont know much.  We didnt really let Tina tell us anything.

            Um, I dont know.  I grew up in Philly.  My dad was black.  My mom is white.  She left us when I was young.  My father cheated on her, which just sets up perfect irony for me later in my life.  My sister, Kit, was in and out of my life while I was growing up.  I worshiped her of course, Bette said, smiling at the memory.

            I know how that is, Carrie commiserated. 

            Yeah, were pretty complicated too though.  Everybody has their stuff.  Bette shrugged while Carrie nodded for her to continue.  I went to Yale for college and I stayed there through grad school.  I have my masters in art history.  Up until a few months ago I was the director of the California Art Center but they fired me.  She laughed and threw her hands up.  Now, Im kind of freelancing, helping old friends of mine.  My severance package was pretty big, so were ok for now.  But we have to talk about what were going to do.