“Yeah but Kit, if you know what happened between Eric and I in Philly, you wouldn’t feel the same way.

“You’re right, Bette. I don’t know what happened there. But I do know that you two are blood. More importantly ya’ll are twins. He understands you more than I do. This may hurt him like *****, but Tina is not his girlfriend, right?”

“No, as much as he’d like her to be. She’s not.” I say laughing

“And the girl has her own mind?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Bette, I’m really not about to walk you through this. You like her, she likes you. Follow you’re bliss, right?…… Alright, get your ***** dressed, then. I’ll be outside catching up with my little brother.”

Then she left, leaving me alone with the quiet of my room.

Tina’ Place: Moments Later

“TK, you ok?”

“Yeah I will be Grace, just give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready ok?”

“Alright, sweetie. I’m just going to check the machine.”

Whatever. I don’t care anymore. This house, this room to be exact isn’t exactly holding the best memories for me. ***** Mickey. I hope their comes a time when her opinion on how I live my life won’t affect me so much. Just then, through the machine I hear the other voice that affects me this way.

“Christina Kennard answer this phone right now!!! I am not joking. I just got off of the phone with your sister. Is it true? Is what she said about my baby true?…..Tina….are you…oh God…Sweet Baby Jesus…..Tina are you….”

“Thanks. A little slow on the draw, but thank you.” I say finally getting my voice back.

“No problem. She is such a *****, seriously TK, you may want to research your birth.” Again with the comedy routine.

“I miss my dad.” I whisper. It just came out. I don’t what made me think about him. He was the ‘saint’ as my mom would say. I’m sure he would understand this situation a little better. God knows, he’d protect me from them.

“I know, sweets. Me too. He was like a father to me too.” It’s true. Since Gracie’s dad was never there, my father always filled in for her whenever possible.

Right now I can’t help but to be grateful to Grace for shutting that message off before my mother got to finish her sentence. I can’t really explain the specifics of that conversation with Mickey to her. After tonight she’ll get the gist.

“Right, I’ll be back.”

In my room, I couldn’t help but wonder how Bette was doing at this moment. If she was as ready as she said she was or if it was to make me feel better. Then again I think that’s silly really. Bette has been nothing but truthful to me. For the first time in what seems like hours, I get to look at Bette in peace, without judgement. So I pull out the picture I’ve been tracing my fingers over from my jacket pocket.

Don’t break my heart Bette. Don’t break my heart.

I don’t what is possessing me to look across the window, but I’ve learned in the past few weeks not to ignore my instincts. There through the bushes and across the fence came a face I’ve come to trust and maybe love, staring back at me. I’m not sure if it’s pure need on my part, but I think her eyes are pleading me to do the same thing I silently asked her picture.

TBC>>>> Ready or Not