After hurrying to the bus and taking their seat Bette turned to look at her mother who was looking out of the window. ”Mom?”

Maxine turned to look at her daughter solemnly ”Yes”

”Can I go to Tina’s house Friday night to sleep over? Mrs. Kennard said I could bring an over night bag and leave it with her and ride home with them. Please? I never get to do anything fun”

Hearing the desperation in Bette’s voice prompted Maxine to go against Melvin..But feeling the way she was feeling at the moment she didn’t care. ”Yes of course you can but do not say anything to your father about it. Let me handle it ok”

Bette smiled and nodded her head laying it against Maxine’s right shoulder. Maxine put her arm around Bette and turned to look back out of the window.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Maxine and Bette approached the steps to their town home, Maxine pulled Bette aside.

”You speak to your father as you go in but you go up to your room and close the door and pack your clothes and shoes and whatever else in your suitcases. Do not come down until I call for you ok.”

”Why do I need to pack my-” Bette responded only to have Maxine cut her off.

”Bette! Just do I as I ask ok. Now go quickly” Maxine demanded

Bette nodded walking into the house and into the living room where Melvin was sitting in a chair smoking his pipe and reading the newspaper.

”Hi Daddy” Bette said quickly as she ran up the stairs.

Melvin moved his paper down looking at Bette’s feet going up the stairs. ”Come back down here Elizabeth” Melvin called out after her and heard the door to her room shut.

”Forget it Melvin. I told her to go to her room” Maxine said as she took off her sun hat and gloves and laid them on the table in the hall way.

”Have you lost your mind Maxine. Talking to me this way”

”Where were you today Melvin?” Maxine asked as Melvin put his pipe down and folded his newspaper slamming it in the chair as he walked up to his wife.

”How dare you ask me where I have been? That’s none of your business. All you need to know is I put a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and food in your mouth. I only let you go back to work because you were whining everyday you didn’t have anything to do. We moved here from Pittsburgh for you so you could be happy.” Melvin lashed back.