while driving Angelica back to the house, where Tina certainly was at, Bette had an inkling. In fact
it was more than a thought it was a screaming urge to reconcile Angelica and Tina. Not really reconcile but sort of
mediate, step in and try to bring them together when a fight arrived. Bette was tired of Angelica’s sullen behaviour
and esasperated at Tina’s complete lack of will to connect with her daughter. And lo adn behold a fight broke out
basically when they came in the house. Tina was just coming out of Agie’s room when they came in. Immediantly
Angelica spouted off   “Dont go in my room mom how many times do i have to tell you?”

“dont give me that bullshit im getting your laundry”

“Tina dont say that” Bette didn’t want either of thme to swear in front of Angie.

“Bette I am tired of your bullshit too all you do is defend her when you should be on my side t rying to do sometihng
about Angelica’s hygeine problem”

Both Angelica and Bette gaped at her. Bette was in the clouds…what hygeine?

“mom i dont have a hyfiene problem!”

“angelica you make a mess in the bathroom and dont clena up after yourslef, i go in your room to get your
laundry and there are moldy junk food and dirty clothes under your bed, your teeth are getting yellow from not
brushing Angie stop farting around and get your act together”

“***** YOU!!”

And there the tension reached a boiling point. Really Bette didn’t know why Angelica and Tina wasn’t getting along
lately. she was shocked at Angie’s outburst…and Tina was too but angrily threw down the clothes in her arms

“Angelica Porter i will give you three se conds to take that back”

silence. Bette didn’t know what to do.

“1…………….2……………..3″

With that Tina grabbed Angelica’s arm and dragged her to her room. But kickboxing classes had made Angelica verry
strong and she wrenched her hands away.

“LET GO OF ME LET GO LET GO LET GO YOUR SO PATHETIC BOTH OF YOU…MOM I HATE YOU
I HATE HOW ALL YOU DO IS NAG NAG NAG NAG NAG CAN’T YOU TAKEA CHILL PILL CANT YOU
ACT LIKE A REAL MOTHER I CAN GO TO MY ROOM MYSELF IN FACT I’D LOVED TOO!!”

 With that Angelica slammed the door shut.

Bette and Tina stared at the black door with the huge orange sign. This time Tina didn’t barge into the room,
instead she leaned in the opposite wall

“i cant do it anymore Bette….she’s so far gone i dont think i can rea ch her anymore”

Bette wrapped her arms around tina and brought her to the living room “there there Tina, she’s going through
a hard time…but don’t worry she’ll come around…and this time i am going to punish her not you. Her wings are
cut off for three days now…no going out no nthing until she apologizes and helps around the house”

Tina chuckled a little bit. Leaning into Bette she sighed into her shoulder. She was so stressed, Tina saw nasty
things in the soup kitchens and homeless shelters and it made her so angry to see Angelica act like that. THat
kid had no idea how great she had it going. That was an idea…”hey Bette..how about Angelica volunteers with me
at the homeless shelters for three days?”

“T that would be perfect”

“at least it would show her how good she has it”

Bette nuzzled Tina’s cheek. Being in a family was hard..there were so many things to take care of..other
people’s feeling other people’s quirks…but it also gave Bette a sense of security that made her feel incredibly
grateful. She had a relatively functional family and god….what a family.

TBC tommorror (chapter 6: Angelica gets  her period for the first time, Tina spends quality crunch time with her while Bette gets uneasy about Mr.Benson)