At the thought of her Bette’s stomach settled a bit. Tina was a part of Bette that was so solid that she could even remember their “break up”. It had not even been mentioned
coming on eight years. Tina was familiar. She was the rock. In fact it felt like there was a gaping part of Bette where Tina cleanly fitted. They had been together for nearly twenty years
 and the thought of being apart made Bette feel cold and alone. Even though they were the same people however…after Angelica was born things changed. Before Angie they had
time for each other. Bette could choose to suddenly whisk Tina away on a romantic date, and they made time for each other sexually. Then everything changed when Angie was born.
For nearly two years straight Bette and Tina did not get a full night’s sleep. Both were too tired to fight so they got along great….their world revolved around Angelica. However with
the passing of years they made an effort to have time just for the two of them. Sometimes going out for a movie, dinner or stayed home and made love. Nowadays most of the time both
opted to snuggle in bed than to make love. ***** seemed to take so much energy, all that sweat…but it wasn’t extinct. Bette no longer felt bad for asking more during those nights, and
was comforted by the fact that Tina did too. But now it was Tina that looked older. Bette marveled at how Tina seemed to age. At forty seven she looked Bette’s age…fifty. While Bette didn’t
look a day older than forty two. In fact people still hit on Bette during her travels and whatnot. Her skin was falling in some places and she hated how her bags sunk in her face, but
years of vigourous excersise and yoga was paying off. At fifty Bette was still considered a hottie.

 The airport was squeaky clean. Bette rubbed her eyes against the glaring light, not even listening to the echoy intercom. There they were…Tina and Angelica…the two women
who completed Bette’s life. She grew, Angelica was 5’3 and only thirteen. Skinny but strong from the kick-boxing classes Bette insisted she take this summer. Skin dark but light enough
for one to tell that she was mixed. Hair frizzy but Bette noticed she straightened it…looked god actually. Bette dragged her luggage noticing how haggard Tina looked, glancing at Angelica
she could guess why. Angelica’s body language said it all. Shoulders drooped into a hostile little posture, arms crossed defiantly, face bored…trying to look bored, with that Mp3 player playing that
nasty music. Her entire body was positioned away from Tina. They must have had an arguement or something. However that didn’t dampen Bette’s overly cheerful mood, in fact it seemed
out of the ordinary for Bette to feel so happy. Unfortunetly it didn’t rub off on Tina who gave Bette a quick hug and peck on the cheek, Angelica turned way further embarressed byt the
physical initmacy. Undeterred Bette moved for a hug from her smart daughter. Smart indeed Angelica had managed to get into “Mini” school for the fall, an accelarated program for gifted
children. Bette moved in but Angie moved away.

“No mushy stuff in public Bette”

 With that Angelica picked up Bette’s carry-on and walked out the exit doors. Bette gaped, looking at Tina with a question mark stamped to her forehead. Angelica called Bette
“mummy” and Tina “mom”…never by their first names. Tina closed her eyes and patted Bette on the shoulder…leaning in she whispered

“Kit told her about Allenwood”

“WHAT!?”

TBC (Chapter 2: Bette has a heart-to heart with Angelica about boys, Allenwood, and biraciality)