Ben: “Yeah sure, uh do you mind if I shower first”

Tina: “Yeah just meet me at my apartment.”

Ben: “Word” he replyed and climbed in to his car

An hour and a half later they were seated outside of a small cafe.

Ben: “So what’s up?”

Tina: “Nothing really.”

Ben: “Ok.” he knew something was on her mind. “So how are things going with Bette?”

Tina’s eye’s lit up.

Tina: “Things are……great” she smiled

Ben: “Yeah?”

Tina: “Yeah, she’s everything I could ever want. I am crazy about her.”

Ben: “I can tell. So what’s on your mind then?” he probed further

Tina: “Do you think it’s too soon to tell mom?”

Ben almost spit out his water.

Ben: “Too soon? Tina, I think never is too soon”

Tina: “You don’t think I should tell her?”

Ben: “You think you should? Tina, you know she’s not going to accept it. I wouldn’t be surprised she disowned you.”

Tina: “What?” she felt emotion rising in her eyes.

Ben: “Don’t get upset Tina” he reached for her hand. “It’s the truth though, no matter how much she loves you, her pride has always been most important.”

Tina’s heart broke, realizing her brothers words were true. Tina had always been her mothers pride and joy. Before the divorce they had a very diferent relationship. Tracy Kennard hadn’t always been so blunt and cold, she was once a warm loving housewife. Her children were her life, she was a soccer mom and proud of it. You could say that Tina and Ben have become a reflection of their mothers former self. The one day that changed it all was when her husband came home and confessed his love for another woman, she was his high school sweetheart. He explained that they had spilt on false terms and never stopped loving eachother. Eventhough Tracy didn’t want to give her husband anything he wanted she gave in, for their childrens sake. They sat down their two young children and explained the situation the best they could. In the end Ben chose his father and Tracy got to keep her daughter. Ben of course was too young to understand the circumstances, all he knew was he wanted to go where daddy went. That was the day Tracy Kennard lost her warmth, she turned bitter and angry and remains that way to this day. It had now become a game for her, it was her ego that took the hit the day her son decided to leave. It was now a popularity contest.

Tina: “But im happy, she will understand.”

Ben: “She’s not the same person anymore Tina, when are you going to realize that?”

Tina: “I do” she said as tears began to fill her eyes.

Ben: “Come on Tina, please don’t cry. I didn’t mean to upset you” he got up and wraped his long around around his broken sister.

Tina: “You didn’t upset me. It’s just sad.” she wiped her face and composed herself.

Ben: “I know” he returned to his seat ” Tina, don’t let it discourage you. This is who you are and it’s not fair for you to hide it.” he saw new thoughts entering her mind.

Tina: “Is it who I am?” she said, questioning herself.

Ben: “You just said you were crazy about Bette”

Tina: “I am”

Ben: “So why are you questioning it?”

Tina: “I don’t want to break anyone’s heart if it’s not the truth.” she muttered.

Ben: “Maybe im wrong. Maybe she wont react that way at all.” he quickly tried to ease her newly emerging doubts

Tina: “yeah maybe” she replyed, but it was too late, it was already deeply imbedded in her mind.

Maybe things were moving too fast, mabye it’s just a courious infatuation. It happen’s all the time, right? Perhaps she was just spending too much time with Bette. “Is this what you really want?” she argued with herself. For the rest of lunch Ben kept his mouth shut, he didn’t want to make the situation worse than it already was. They finished eating and were on their way to the cars.

Ben: “Don’t listen to me Tina, im probably still drunk or something”

Tina smiled weakly and waved goodbye. She watched him drive away and was about to get into her car when her cell phone rang. Tina looked at the caller ID and hesitated before answering.

Tina: “Hello”

Eric: “Your not going to hang up on me this time?”

Tina: “No…”