“Who was it, anyway?” Angie asked, not trying to hide her annoyance. “That guy Joel?” Angie already knew the answer because she’d heard Tina using his name throughout the call.

“Yes,” Tina said. Angie saw her look sheepishly at Bette. “It was a work thing. He, uh… he’s having some trouble with one of the directors. That’s all.”

“He’s such a loser. He shouldn’t have to call you about it,” Angie said. She had met Joel once at a dinner party her moms had thrown awhile ago and he was a nice guy. He had treated Angie like she was anybody else, and not just like a kid the way most of her mother’s friends did. She didn’t really think he was a loser. But Angie had overheard his name too many times when her moms fought to like him anymore.

“That’s enough, Angelica,” Bette said calmly. “Watch your tone.”

“Sorry,” Angie mumbled. Bette reached over and smoothed Angie’s hair and rested a hand on her shoulder.

“Are you done with your lunch?” Bette asked.

“Yeah.”

“I’m done, too. What about you, Tina? Are you ready to go see about that tree?” Bette said, trying to smile.

“Actually… I better get back home. There’s a contract I need to look at in my office.” Tina said. She was picking up her purse and hooking it over her shoulder.

“Of course there is,” Angie heard Bette mutter.

“You two go ahead. Go pick a tree to have delivered and I’ll meet you at home and we can decorate. I’ll get the stuff out of the closet and everything.” Tina looked from Angie to Bette with a small smile. “Okay?”

“That’s okay, Mommy,” Angie said quickly. “We can order one on the internet or something. We’ll go with you.” Angie didn’t know why, but she felt that even though she could sense the tension hanging over their table in the restaurant ever since her mom’s phone rang, she needed to keep her mothers together right now. Even if the warm feelings from before had disappeared.

“Are you sure?” Tina asked with a little wrinkle on her forehead.

“Yeah, I wanna go home. I’m tired. From skating.”