I had followed her home one day and saw Angelica run out of the house to greet her. Thinking she had a partner and a child now I was leaving North Carolina. I went to the library to use their computers to apply for some positions in artist circles in Denver when we met again and she invited me for dinner. From that moment on our relationship changed to a more personal level. That’s when I found out I was a parent. You see Tina was pregnant when she left LA with a child that we had planned together. Although, when she left she did not know she was pregnant.

I went on to a position in Denver similar to the position James held at the CAC.  But Tina and I kept in contact. One year she invited me to spend Christmas with them in North Carolina. Not too long after that she and Angelica moved to Denver. We bought a house together and she started over again because of me.

The man at the club apparently, had been with me before and when he saw me with Tina although, I never remembered him. He thought she was buying my company for a few hours. He propositioned me for the rest of the evening when Tina’s time was up in a very lewd way. Tina slapped him and he was going to punch her so I pushed her out of the way and he punched me instead.”

Everyone sat at the table in silence processing the tale Bette had shared with them. Bette got up and collected the coffee cups. Just as she began to put them in the dishwasher she heard Tina’s key in the door. Angelica came charging into the kitchen yelling, “Mama B, Mama B…mommy and I had so much fun at the park. Can I get a sand box for the back yard when we get home? Please Mama B…” her voice trailed off and she let go of the hug she had on Bette’s legs as Tina entered the kitchen.

Looking around at their friends she could tell it had been a stressful morning for all of them. She didn’t want to make it anymore stressful but she didn’t want to lose Bette again.

Sending Angie to her room to play until lunch she said, “well Bette did you tell them you decided when we get back to Denver you’re moving out? In fact, leaving the state as well as, leaving Angelica and I behind?”

“I just thought now that they know so much already…they should know it all…don’t cha think Bette?” With that she turned on her heal and went in the direction of the bedroom slamming the door behind her.

The other four necks in the room suddenly got whiplash turning so quickly to look at Bette.