RUNNING ON SUNSHINE

Chapter 4

Tina reluctantly left Bette at home while she drove the 8 miles to her parents’ house. The lived high in the Hollywood Hills – – Tina had always been able to step out of her door and see the Hollywood sign when she was growing up and she had mixed at High School with kids who had been from Hollywood dynasties and had gone on to make their own names in the world of TV and movies. It wasn’t surprising that she had gone into the industry – always behind the scenes – writing and directing and now producing and directing – at 32 Tina Kennard was a rising name in the industry in the same way as her acting peers were. But that didn’t mean she felt any less anxious about telling her mother’s that she had got married.
As she drove she looked for the words to use to break the news to her parents – well two of her four parents that her long break from work to travel and work on new ideas had taken a totally unexpected turn when she had meet Bette Porter in Sardinia, Italy. The attraction had been almost instantaneous – she remembered a feeling in her stomach like nothing else she had experienced. Bette had smiled at her and the butterflies had turned into eagles – and as for when she had heard her beautiful voice for the first time – well that had sealed her attraction to the brunette. Talking to her had become like a drug and sex – Tina shuddered at the memory of their first time as lovers after barely 10 hours of knowing each other they had slept together. Well “sleeping together “was a technical term because there had been no sleep at all as she recalled – just sex. Except it wasn’t “just sex” – Tina knew all about “just sex “and with Bette Porter it wasn’t just sex – it was a connection. Yes even after only few hours – there had been a connection that had freaked her out.

Recalling their early hours passed the journey to her parents’ home and soon Tina had driven up the drive and parked in front of the house. She walked round to the rear of the house by letting herself in through a locked gate by entering the access code. She took an admiring look at the view – right across the LA – at night the view was stunning – during the day it wasn’t too bad either. She saw her birth mom Emma sitting beside the swimming pool – she was wearing a white towelling robe and had obviously been swimming and was now sitting on a lounger reading a case file. Emma Kennard was the main partner in one of the leading LA firms – a firm she had set up from nothing to become one of the biggest independent law firms in LA in only 30 years. Emma was probably one of the smartest women in LA – and also one of the hardest to please – something that Tina had always suffered because of. Kate was less demanding but just as smart – Tina hoped that if Emma didn’t understand then Kate would.
She took a deep breath and walked towards her mother. Emma glanced up from her file and saw her daughter
“TINA!! “
“Hi mom “
“Darling – when did you get back?”
“About a day ago “
Emma ran round the pool and hugged her daughter “Oh it is so good to see you – you should have emailed or texted us – we would have come and collected you – let me look at you “
Emma pushed her daughter back a few inches so she could look at her. She saw that Tina looked fantastically well – she was tanned and her blonde hair had been bleached fairer by the sun. She had lost the pale look brought on by too much work and too few hours’ sleep and instead she looked natural healthy and happy.
“Oh darling we have missed you so much – you look great – how do you feel?”
“I feel awesome – really wonderful”
“Well you look it”
“Thanks”
“KATE “Emma shouted “Where is that woman?”
“Well you should know “ Tina retorted “I know it’s a big house but you shouldn’t lose people in it”
“Cheeky – when I last saw her she was heading to the shower – well that was an hour ago- even your mother cannot be in the shower for an hour – you yes but not Kate”
Emma walked towards the house and opened the giant doors “KATE – Kate –come here babe “
Tina looked round the outside of the house – giant pool, fire pit, BBQ and waterfall feature – all trappings of the affluent lawyers her mothers were. She wondered what Bette would say when she brought her here – she could just imagine sharing kisses with the lights of LA as the backdrop. Well that would be in the future – first thing first – she had to tell her mom’s that she was a married woman. She had tried to imagine how it would go – in her darkest moments she feared a row and her being disowned. At her happiest she hoped they would understand why she had done it – well maybe they wouldn’t understand why she had done it until they actually met Bette Porter in the flesh. They were gay women – there was no way on earth they wouldn’t see what she saw in Bette.
“DARLING – TINA “
Emma had gone into the house and dragged her wife away from reading her emails – the minute Kate saw her daughter she had run towards her
“He mom “Tina smiled
Kate reached her and gave her a big bear hug – Tina embraced her mother
“Did you miss me?” Tina said knowing the answer
“Of course – we have been worried”
“I have emailed you nearly every day “Tina defended herself
“I know – but it’s not the same as hearing your voice and seeing your face”
“Well I am only 8 miles away now “
“It is so wonderful to have you back – our little girl”
Tina hoped that no one who worked for her ever heard her being called “our little girl “.
She would never hear the end of it. Never mind her employees – she hoped Kate never said anything like that in front of Bette.
“Can you stay all day?”
“Just a couple of hours “the reason why would become plain soon enough
“You must have a lot to catch up on “Emma said seeing the disappointment on her wife’s face.
“Washing and shopping and the usual mountain of emails – I will come up for the day as soon as I can I swear – and we can meet for lunch in town. I don’t have to be back to work for a few more weeks”
“Are you going to see the company doctor?”
“I have to – she has to declare me fit for work again – which I am sure she will”
“Well you have to look after yourself this time “
“I will – I have learnt my lesson – don’t worry mom”
“Are you hungry – can I make you some breakfast?”
“Proper coffee would be awesome “Tina said to her mom.
“I will make some – are you sure you wouldn’t like anything?”
“I am fine thank you”
Tina stuck her hands in her jeans just in case her mother spotted the gold band on her left hand – she wanted to tell them together and Emma was famous for being sharp for details like rings and body language
“How’s dad?” Tina asked
“Fine – and missing his daughter “
“I will go and see him next week”
“Make sure you do – you know how he feels about you”
Tina nodded – her dad was gay as well and she was his only child –like she was the only child of her two mom’s and her dad’s partner – as she had said to Bette on many occasions “It’s great when you are 6 and its Christmas but it can be hell at other times “
“I will”
“So come and sit down and tell me what country you liked best?”
Tina walked across and sat down on a lounger “Everywhere was beautiful – Spain was amazing – so was France – I love England –so much history. I am determined to film in London at some point”
“And what about Italy – your mom and I went to Italy for our honeymoon”
“Italy “Tina smiled – she had memories of Italy that would never leave her “Italy was perfect. I will never forget Italy”
Emma beamed “Oh I am so pleased you liked it “
“It was special “Tina agreed “The food and the landscape and the coffee and the people “
Emma nodded “Yes – we have wonderful memories of Italy”
“Me too “Tina said wishing Kate would get out with the coffee so she could tell them both together.
Kate emerged after a few more minutes carrying a tray – Tina’s instinct was to go and get the tray but that would show her gold wedding ring – and she knew that would give the game away. She looked over the house until Kate had put the tray down and sat down.
“So do you really feel better?” Kate wanted to know
“I do – I know I was trying to do too much “
“Exhaustion can be so debilitating “
“I will make sure I get the all clear from the doctor before I go back to work”
“Well make sure you take all the time off that the doctors recommended “
“I will – I have three weeks and I am going to enjoy the rest of the time”
Emma poured three cups of coffee from a carafe –Tina didn’t take her coffee straight away – she was obsessing about her wedding ring
“I have to tell you both something “Tina said
Emma looked at Kate and back at Tina
“What is it dear?”
“You two have to promise me that you will hear me out – no jumping to conclusions and getting mad at me okay”
“You are worrying me “Kate said
“I am sorry –it is nothing to worry about but I have made one huge life changing decision while I was away”
“Is your health okay?” Emma wanted to know
“My health is fine – take a look at me – do I look ill – I looked like hell before I collapsed “
“Yes – that is true – I promise that we – I assume by that you mean me. I promise I will not jump to conclusions, fly off any handles or hit any roofs – how is that as an assurance “Emma smiled
Even though that sounded like a promise that was never going to be carried out Tina took a deep breath “I knew that I had to change how I was living my life. I was tired of partying all night and working all day and never having any me time. “
“It happens to everyone “
Not to my friends Tina thought but pushed the thought out of her head
“I want more – yes I love my job and for my age I have done more than I thought I would. But it isn’t enough “
Emma looked at Kate who smiled at her daughter
“We have always brought you up to know that you are an amazing person and you can achieve anything you want – that is still true sweetie “
Tina smiled – maybe it wouldn’t be too bad after all
“I met someone “
“Right “Kate did look worried now
“Someone amazing – someone special who gets me and is stunning and kind and gentle”
“And?”
“We met in Sardinia “Tina could feel her nerve going but she knew she had to push through now that she had started telling her moms
“Are you in love?” Emma asked
“Like nothing that I have ever felt before in my life – this is the real thing”
Kate didn’t speak but Tina could see that she was upset
“Are you telling us that you are planning to move to Italy to be with this person?”
“No – no of course not”
“Do you want this person to come to the States to be with you?”
Tina realised she was making a mess of this – mainly because she was trying to tell them in stages – it was inevitable that they were jumping to conclusions – regardless of her mother’s promise.
“Okay” Tina said “I am just going to say this – I am not handling this very well”
“No you are not – not a good witness “Emma said dryly
“I don’t need this person to go through immigration to get them into the States because she is an American Citizen”
“That is the first indication you have given us that this person is a she “Emma said
“WHAT? – You thought I was in love with a guy – oh for fucks sake – you two have to know me better than that! “
“Well I never make assumptions “Emma said
Yeah – distrust everyone Tina thought
“I assure you she is a she – a beautiful she.” She grinned “A stunning like you would never believe she “
“Okay – we have got it –she is a she and you are offended we would think for a second she might be a he “
“No more or less than you two would be offended – I am not a lesbian because its trendy or because my parents are –I am 100% queer “
Emma smiled “You made your point darling – you are a lesbian”
“And I have been since I was about 8 “Tina said
“We get it – so you have meet a woman “
Tina nodded “I meet her in Sardinia – she is “Tina sighed “she is amazing”
“So has she come back to the States with you?”
Tina nodded
“And you are going to keep on seeing her?” Kate voice was gentle
Tina took her left hand from her jeans
“We got married in London – she is my wife “
“WHAT! “ Kate exclaimed
“Married “Tina said showing them the gold ring on her left hand
“Is this a joke?”
“No”
“Are you out of your mind?” Emma said
“No – I have never been surer of anything in my life. I love her – she loves me – it was the most obvious thing on the planet that we get married – we want to spend our lives together. It was love at first sight and I don’t want to be without her “
Emma looked at Kate
“Are you sure Tina – we can get you out of this if you want us to “
Tina had expected that one. Emma didn’t think there was a situation she couldn’t handle because of her money, legal knowledge and contacts – – which was why she was as successful as she was. Tina kept her cool
“It might surprise you mom but I am 32 years old and I know my own mind. I am married and the last thing I want is to be got out of it – we got married in London because marriage is legal over there – not the hotch potch situation we have over here. “
Emma looked at Kate and took her hand
“Okay – lets be calm here – getting angry will not help “
“I am not upset “Tina said “I wasn’t expecting this to be easy”
“Well can you blame us – this is a huge shock “
Tina took her coffee and took a drink and took some deep breaths like she and Bette had practised – they had both started meditating. Tina felt like she would need to be a Zen master to stay calm.
“I am sorry this is a shock” Tina said “Really I am. But I have not done something crazy – I have not lost my mind which is what the two of you both think. I have found someone so wonderful and sweet and sexy and smart. I want to be with her “
Kate looked at Emma and then at Tina – Tina had always been so much her mother’s daughter – smart, sexy and stubborn as a mule “Do we get to know the name of your wife?”
Tina smiled “Elizabeth – known as Bette “
“Bette – so when do we get to meet Bette?”
Tina shrugged “We have been back in LA about a day – we are still jet lagged “
Emma hadn’t spoken for a few minutes but she was rarely out of the conversation for long
“What does Bette do?”
Tina looked at Emma – she could make things worse by telling her that Bette didn’t actually do anything – but she knew exactly what reaction that would induce from her mother and she wanted to get her mom’s on her side –not antagonistic towards them for no reason.
“Bette used to own a very successful art gallery in San Francisco – she sold it for two million dollars and went travelling – which is how we met in Italy – two American lesbians looking for answers. And before you ask – her father is a very successful surgeon and her mom is a professor – so she comes from a nice family”
It never hurt to play to her parent’s inherent snobbery
“That sounds nice doesn’t it Emma “Kate said to her wife
“I still don’t see why you needed to marry her “Emma said
“Why does anyone get married – because we love one another and we want to be together “
“How long have you actually known her?” Emma asked
“Long enough “Tina replied knowing that Emma hated answers like that to direct questions.
“How long?” Emma persisted.
“Long enough to know that she is my soul mate and that I am going to spend my life with her. I know the two of you are shocked and I am sorry – especially in how I told you – but I am not going to apologise for following my heart – that’s something you two taught me “