“I know baby. I just like having you around when I get home. But you’re right we don’t need to rush into this. You’re right.” Bette said kissing her forehead as she turned them both back towards the house.

Bette and Tina went back inside and saw where her parents were already laying out the dishes for their dinner. They sat and ate their dinner with a few jokes and Tina could hardly fight the opportunity to make her smile and turn red with embarrassment.

“Well I guess I have to park the car in the barn since someone has stolen the garage from me already.” Tina’s father said standing up and giving Tina a light tap in the back of the head.

“Hey, old man” she said ducking from another inevitable hit, “You know you got to be quick around here.”

“Yea, whatever you say half pint. Bette would you mind giving me a hand in the barn real quick?”

This question surprised both Bette and Tina but she would never deny any requests her father put upon her, “Yes sir.” she stood as Tina gave her a shrug of the shoulders to answer Bette’s questioning look. Tina and her mother began putting the dishes in the sink and started their routine of washing and drying.

Bette got into the passenger side of the car and rode and as Tina’s father backed the car up to the barn doors. Bette got out and opened the doors for him. He backed in and parked the car. He got out and took out the cigar he had in his chest pocket and lit it as he rested on the fender of the car. Bette sensing this was more than help needed, she joined him on the car and waited for him to begin.

“You know I don’t like to sugar coat things. That‘s bout as useful as a gold plated dog shit.”

“Yes sir.” Bette said as she soon realized where this conversation was heading. Inwardly she had to smile at Tina’s father old fashioned manners and traditions.

“I never liked that cousin of yours. She never looked me in the eye and when she spoke it always seemed like she was hiding something from me. She was always trying to impress me with gifts and what not, and that‘s not something I‘m into.”