Some kind of wonderful

Chapter 51

Bette was lying on the sofa at Tina’s apartment – deeply engrossed in a academic paper about finger-prints. She was actually interested in what she was reading – which went to prove Tina’s point about how you could never predict the subjects you would be actually take an interest in. Bette looked up – Tina was sprawled on her favourite chair – – her legs dangling over the side of the chair – she was resting against a giant cushion. Like Bette she was also reading – while Bette was reading about whorls , loops and arches Tina was deeply engrossed in a book about food hygiene. Bette watched her idly as she turned a page
“Oh for fucks sake “ she exclaimed
Bette smiled “What is it my sweet ?”
Tina looked at Bette “ Some of the pictures in this book would be better off in one of your more gruesome text books”
“Seeing as I am studying crime and you are studying food I find that really worrying”
“Do you have any idea how big cockroaches can become ?”
“You are really asking that of a trainee criminologist ?”
“I thought bugs and creepy crawly creatures was next semester “ Tina said dryly
“It is  – which is why I have been reading about it now”
“Do any of your fellow geeks and nerds have any idea JUST how much of a swot you are and that you have a scary memory for al sorts of crap ?”
“Is that a compliment my darling ?”
“Depends what you are going to tell me about cockroaches “
Bette chuckled “ They were around at the same time as the dinosaurs, they can survive if you cut their heads off – they like to be touched and what you said about size – well in tropical countries they are way bigger than they are in this country. In fact the Giant Cave “
“ENOUGH  – NO MORE BETTE”
“I was just going to say “
“NO “ Tina said “You were going to try and gross me out like you did the other night”
“I was just telling you a story that a criminalist told me “
“Yes and it was vile and it kept me awake “
“Yeah for extra minutes almost “
Tina laughed and shook her head – she might try and get mad with Bette but she couldn’t. Regardless of some of her bedtime reading they were very happy. Tina treasured these lazy afternoons when they would just hang out together – both of them working on their own projects but taking an interest in what the other was reading.
She shook her head
“What ?”
“I was just wondering what it would have been like to study with you at Yale or Harvard – if we had gone to the same college”
“There wouldn’t have been much studying “ Bette said smiling “You sound like you were way more of a party animal than I was”
“I am sure I could have dragged you out now and again” Tina smiled “And equally you would have been a good influence on me – I might have got a better degree if I had applied myself. Maybe that was one of the things that mom was so cross about. I could have got a better degree “
“And would this higher mark in your final degree mean that you will make a better job of the café ? Of course it doesn’t . Final marks mean stuff to nerds like me as you like to call your partner and to people like my friend Melissa who needed a high classification so she could go on and do post graduate work “
“Has she heard about her interview with Columbia yet ?”
“Not yet which I think she was taking as a good sign. She has heard that someone she knows who got a First from UCLA and was going for the same post has had the rejection email  – so she is taking that to be a good sign”
“I am looking forward to meeting your friends  – I am interested to see what they are like”
“Crazy as frogs on acid “ Bette said “But I wouldn’t have survived without them – they are a loyal bunch and when all the shit happened with Jesse and it came out about Ashley and what she was up to – they were there for me. I don’t know how it would have turned out if they hadn’t taken care of me. They acted as my bodyguards for weeks – sitting in the library with me and shielding me from some of the more fuckwit comments”
Tina smiled – she liked that. She liked that Bette had friends who had been there for her.
“And they know about me ?”
“They could hardly fail not to “ Bette said “They know what happened with Emma and that you and I were going to meet up again on the 1st of August and I said to them that I would do what it took to get you back if there was the slightest hint that you were open to a reunion “
“And how well did that work out then ?” Tina said dryly
“She doesn’t like hearing about cockroaches apparently “
“Its hardly romantic talk “
“You want romantic talk ?” Bette asked raising an eyebrow
“Not at the moment – this happy party of cockroaches isn’t exactly getting me wet “
“I would hope not – I am not sure we cover weird sexual perversions this year “
Tina laughed again “I would throw this book at you but it’s a library book”
“And I would feel obligated as the daughter of one of New York’s senior librarians to grass you up and I would be forced to use my deadly ninja warrior skills on you “
Tina grinned “ You mean like you tried the other night when we were fooling around. How did that end up again ?”
“I don’t remember “
“You fibber Bette Porter – you utter fibber – shame on you “
“I slipped “ Bette replied
“You did not slip “
“I did – that was why I ended up on the floor”
Tina shook her head in mock outrage “ I wonder if NYPD know what a shameless liar you are “
“I would say more that I am a bad liar “
Tina considered this “That’s true – okay  – you are forgiven  – for now”
“And I will not use my ninja skills on you – on account that you are a citizen and I have to defend you “ she paused “ And the fact that you have no qualms about kicking my sorry ass “
Honour settled Tina placed her book on the floor and got up
“All that has given me an appetite for ice cream – you want some ?”
“You remember me right – Bette Porter ? “
“Yes “
“When did I ever say no to ice cream ?“
“There is always a first – but you are right – I wont ask daft questions again “
“That’s why I love you so much – such a quick learner “
Tina went into the kitchen but returned a few minutes later
“Disaster “
“What ?” Bette asked
“No ice cream “
“Oh fuck – that’s a disaster”
“it is – and I really want some “
“I’ll go and get some “ Bette offered
“No – I will go – you are always running errands when I run out of stuff. You stay there I need some bits and pieces for tonight and tomorrow “
“If I had known “
“I know – you stay there  – go back to your cockroach research “
“Its finger print analysis “ Bette said
“Even more riveting “ Tina said
“You sure you want to go ?”
“Of course – I will get a sweater and my boots.”
While Tina was in her bedroom Bette got up, retrieved her wallet from her rucksack and slipped the $20 note into Tina’s winter jacket that was hanging up on the back of the door. By the time Tina had emerged Bette was back lying on the sofa deeply engrossed in her book. Tina put her jacket on and put her hands in the pockets searching for her gloves and pulled out the money. She knew she hadn’t left it there – she looked at Bette who was studiously not looking at her. She walked across and kissed her lover softly and meaningfully on the lips
“Did I mention lately how lucky I am to be with you ?”
“Not in the last hour or so “
“Well that was a error on my part. I love you – you are just the best. No one has a heart as kind and loving as yours. I am blessed “
Bette rested her hand on Tina’s face and returned the kiss with passion
“I love you too – get some naan breads – I have all the stuff I need for a curry tonight but I do love naan bread “
“Will do – I have thought of a few other things – I should be about ¾ of an hour “
“I will try not to pine away without you “
Tina kissed Bette once again and headed out of the apartment. Bette got up and collected the abandoned plates and coffee cups that they had a habit of leaving all over the sitting room. She washed them up, put them away and tidied a few more things up. She made a coffee and settled herself down to get to the end of the article about fingerprints. She had just finished the article when the door buzzer sounded. In order for them to hear anyone who called to see them Bette had fitted a digital door buzzer downstairs – it sounded beside the main door into their apartment. Bette wondered if Tina had forgotten her key or maybe she had gone crazy in the supermarket and had her hands full so she had buzzed the door with her tongue or something. Bette chuckled at the mental image that presented in her head as she hurried downstairs. She opened the door -but  it wasn’t Tina standing carrying lots of shopping – it was Kate.
“Kate “ Bette said in surprise
“Hello Bette – -can I see Tina please ?”
“She’s shopping “ Bette said “ But come in”
Kate came in and stood looking at Bette. Bette was surprised to see Tina’s mom. She hadn’t seen her since her disastrous visit to tell Tina that she had left her other mom. Tina had seen her once and it had gone very badly with Tina losing her temper and walking out on her mom. Bette ran up the stairs – Tina’s apartment was on the top of the building so there were a lot of stairs – something that bothered people not as fit as Bette or Tina. Kate came into the apartment a few minutes behind Bette who was standing waiting for her.
“Thank you Bette – how are you ?”
“Fine – how are you ?”  Bette asked
“Very good – I came to see if Tina had calmed down after our last meeting. Did she tell you she flew off the handle ?”
Bette considered her reply with care “ She told me that she couldn’t take you taking pot shots at Emma. That seems reasonable to me”
Kate gave Bette a very dirty look “ YOU are defending EMMA – now I have heard everything”
“I am not defending Emma  – I am telling you what Tina told me why she left. But for the record I just think that bad-mouthing Emma to Tina is a low trick and if its your game plan you really need to get another one but that one will not work and all it will do is provoke Tina. And as you know – she has one hell of  temper when she’s angry”
Kate didn’t answer – she was silent
“I just want Tina to see reason “
“What reason would that be ?” Bette asked “ She has got her head around the two of you splitting up — she has spent a lot of time with Emma because she knows that Emma needs her – you don’t seem to. “
“I need her very much – I have missed her “
“Like you missed her for seven hours when you walked out on her mother.”
“That was a misunderstanding “
Bette wasn’t sure if she would get another opportunity again to speak to Kate without having to skirt around matters. So she said what she thought.
“Kate –  Tina would understand – and so would I – if you just admitted that you screwed up that first night. You didn’t think that Emma would come round and tell Tina the news. You thought that she would bury herself away which would have given you the chance to get your side of the story in first. Don’t treat her like she was a child – she’s an adult and she deserves you to tell her the truth”
“It was a misunderstanding “ Kate said “
“If it was a misunderstanding what was it ? What did you think ?”
Kate fixed Bette with a look that told the younger woman that she was going to be lied to.  Emma touched her mouth as she stood silently. Ah – Bette thought to herself – a tell tale sign of lying.
“I thought Emma wasn’t going to tell Tina until the next morning “
“Emma wanted the two of you to tell Tina together “
“Well that was never going to happen – I don’t want to be in the same room as  that woman at the moment “
“Here’s a tip for you – calling Emma “ that woman “ is something you shouldn’t do in front of Tina or your conversation with her will last less time than your conversation the other week. In case you hadn’t noticed Tina is  very smart and as the child of not one or two but FOUR lawyers she really isn’t that easy to fool. She can see that you are lying to her and she doesn’t like it. If you have what you want in ditching Emma in favour of whatshername – well then why are you being so nasty. This is very unlike you – you were always the really nice mom. You were on our side – Emma was the enemy “
“She split you two up – I said “
Bette held her hand up “This conversation is NOT about what happened four years ago so please do not bring it up. This is about you and Tina – not me and Tina. “
“Emma is unreasonable and difficult – I don’t want to be in the same room as her – how could I sit there and tell Tina that in front of Emma”
“Emma has always been the same according to my parents and Tina. You had the affair for six months – that is something that Tina is finding it hard to get her head around “
“I fell in love – you should understand that “
“I do – so does Tina – but Kate”  Bette sighed “ And this is something you should know really well by now . Its not what things are but what things look like.  You look like the baddie – you are the one who had the affair – you were the one who walked out – you are the one who might be going to drag the whole family through the courts if you don’t accept the pre-nup agreement. You don’t need a divorce lawyer Kate – you need a PR consultant. Emma – who is usually the baddie is getting all the sympathy because she is staying classy. She hasn’t said anything bad about you – do you know that ?  She is the one telling Tina that she shouldn’t be at war with you. You may have won the battle to be free of Emma but you are in danger of losing the war. Tina is really angry with you – she gave you a chance and you fucked it up. There is no reason for all of this – Tina doesn’t hate you – she doesn’t hate anyone, But you are making this way harder than it needs to be. Really you have to stop blaming the end of your marriage on Emma. Leave Emma out of it .Concentrate on your relationship with Tina – not Tina’s relationship with Emma or my relationship with Emma   – or anything “
“You seem very sure of yourself “ Kate said
Bette was about to reply when her mobile rang – Bette answered it
“Hello babe   – where are you ?”
“Downstairs – will you give me a hand “
“Okay – I am on my way down “
Bette hung up “That is Tina – do not hurt her Kate. She might seem angry to you but she is hurt because she cannot believe what you have done. She is strong but this is hard for her – don’t hurt her “