***

As much as Kit was willing, she wasn’t the one that finally convinced Tina to give Bette another chance it was Angelica, their unborn child. Tina thought she could raise the baby on her own but soon came to the realization that Angie needed both her parents. In Tina’s mind Bette Porter had been and would always be Angie’s intended other mother so she’d made the phone call and left Bette a message that changed the course of their lives for the better.

”I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been, uh, thinking about our baby. We conceived of this baby together and you should absolutely be part of her life.”

***

Several months later …

Tina hung up the phone and came into the dining room where Kit and Bette were tidying up in anticipation of the visit from the case worker assigned to Bette’s second parent adoption petition. Kit held Angie while Bette organized some photographs from a project she’d been working on.

Tina: That was the case worker on the phone. She needs help getting up the porch steps.

When they stepped outside to meet Roberta Collier they realized why she’d called for help. She was in a wheelchair. Bette introduced herself, Tina, Kit and Angie to the woman who clearly had an attitude and a disagreeable countenance. Bette noticed but tried to remain polite. She smiled sweetly which seemed to irritate Roberta even further.

Roberta: You may want to put that baby down and help me up these steps.

Bette: Well we really don’t put her down but I think we’ll be OK.

Roberta: What do you mean you don’t put her down?

Bette: Well we’re …

Tina: We’re practicing attachment parenting.

Roberta: Well I say whatever can be attached can be detached; so why don’t you detach the baby and put her in her crib for a few minutes so you don’t drop me.
Kit sees Bette’s expression and quickly steps in.

Kit: I think Tina and I can manage this OK?

Bette: Anyway we don’t have a crib.

Bette couldn’t help herself.

Roberta: You don’t have a crib?

This time it’s Tina that tried to diffuse the situation though the woman was insufferable.