«Are you sure we have enough food?». Bette was pacing back and forth in the kitchen, then watched over Tina’s shoulder as the blonde cut the vegetables into smaller pieces. Tina sighed. «Yes, baby, we have plenty, relax , everything will be just fine…», Tina replied. She gave Bette a gentle slap on the hand when the brunette tried to steal a piece of celery.

«Ok, get out of the kitchen now… This is my territory and you’re driving me crazy», Tina told her with a big smile on her face. Bette sighed and walked over to the living room. «Where could they be ? They said they would be here at six…», Bette complained.

She was referring to Mrs Stone and her son Philip, Bette’s half-brother. To Irene’s surprise, Philip had called yesterday morning to say he was on his way to L.A. He had to fly to California for a last minute business trip and he wanted to spend some time with his mother. Irene had told Bette she would talk to him about her and see if she could arrange a meeting while he was in town. Bette had been a nervous wreck all evening, waiting for the old woman to call. The phone had finally rang at 11:30.

«Hello Bette, it’s Irene… I hope it’s not to late to call…», she had asked.

«No, of course not… I was waiting to hear from you… Did you tell Philip?». She had realised at that moment that she’d never been that nervous in her life. She really wanted to be accepted by her half-brother.

«Yes, I did… and he was very excited to learn he has a sister», Mrs Stone had said, chuckling.

Bette had felt the tears in her eyes and she had to compose herself before speaking again. «Bette, are you still there ?», Mrs Stone had asked, concerned.

«Yeah, I’m still here… Does… does he want to meet me?»

«He does, Bette…», Mrs Stone had answered, calming at once Bette’s fear of rejection. «I know this is short notice, but his only free night is tomorrow… Would that be OK for you?»

«That would be perfect… You can all come to our house for dinner. Listen, did you tell him about me living with a woman?»