Ill get it! Ill get it, Evan yelled running to the door.
Ask who it is first, I yelled out the bathroom door.

I stood outside the bathroom watching and listening as Evan did as I had told her.

Who is it? she asked.
Tina, sweetie, came the reply.
Can I open the door now, Mommy?she yelled over her shoulder.

She knew I was looking.

Yes.

Evan stood on her toes unlocking the top lock and then undid the bottom. She opened the door and threw herself into Tina.

Whoa,Tina said hugging Evans head, I guess youre happy to see me.
Are you staying with me tonight?
No, baby. Im going to dinner with your mother. Maybe another time.

I saw her face drop.

Oh okay,Evan sulked.
Hey, none of that. I just want to spend some time with your mom. When we come back, Im all yours, Tina said lifting Evans chin.
Now wheres my smile.

Evan grinned her toothless smile.

I see those havent grown in yet.
No, not yet.
Wheres your mother?
In the bathroom getting pretty.

I smiled. I retreated back to the mirror when I saw Tina make her way toward the short hall.

Hey you,she greeted touching my waist.

I shuddered when her cool hands came in contact with my very heated exposed skin.

Cold?she asked innocently.
The opposite actually, I answered turning around and capturing her lips in between mine.

Maybe I was dancing around telling her what I had promised myself I would tell her. Or maybe I just really wanted to taste her. Or maybe I was hoping that kiss would make her change her mind about meeting Helena for dinner and stay here, just the three of us.

Really? You sure this isnt a ploy to make me want to stay here tonight?

Damn. She was good.
And even though that is vastly becoming a great idea to me, we are going out tonight, she instructed.
Do we have to? I whined.
Yes, we have to.

*****

Mommy, I dont feel no good, Evan whined minutes before Tina and I were to leave.

Alice had arrived ten minutes ago and was preparing a feast of potato chips and popcorn for them to devour.

Baby, I said kneeling down to her.

Evan laid her head on my shoulder, tucking it into my neck.

Sweetie, whats wrong? Tina asked rubbing her back.
I just feel no good, Evan repeated.
Do you want us to stay home?Tina asked.
Yeah, she whined.

I looked at Tina.

Okay sweetie, well stay home, Tina comforted, why dont you come with me so I can help you change into you jammies.

Tina, looking dazzling in her strapless caramel silk dress, gathered Evan in her arms and carried her to the back.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

Dont look so disappointed about missing dinner, Porter, Alice said from the kitchen.
Oh I am.
Bullshit, Porter,Alice called me on it.
Well I did want to go to dinner with Tina but did not want the company of someone else tonight.
Who? Alice asked stuffing popcorn into her mouth.
Helena Peabody.

Alice started choking.

Al.

I ran over to the faucet and fulled a cup with water.

Drink.

She took the cup and swallowed.
You okay?
Yeah, yeah, fine. You were going to have dinner with Helena tonight?
Yeah.
Oh man, she said finishing her water.

Alice set the cup on the counter.

Youre relieved because Tina doesnt know about Evans father. And having dinner with Helena tonight, that ***** would surely bring up how the two of you met,Alice nearly screamed.
Keep your voice down.
You have to tell her, Bette.
I know that. I just…
If you love Tina like you say you do, you cannot keep this a secret. She has to know everything. Its better you tell her before she asks.
Before I ask what?

I jumped finding Tina standing in the livingroom holding Evan.

Uh… nothing.
Yeah, nothing Tee.

She stood there watching.

I guess I should be going since my services are no longer need, Alice said grabbing her jacket.
Thanks anyway, Al.
No problem. Feel better munchkin, Alice said kissing Evans cheek.
Bye Alice.
See you three later.

I walked Alice the short distance to the door. We hugged and she whispered in my ear, tell her.

Go change your clothes, babe,Tina directed.
Yeah.

I walked off.

Are you hungry? she shouted after me.
Theres menu in the top draw on the left side in the kitchen, I replied.

I quickly changed into something comfortable preparing myself to tell Tina everything.