Daddy Dearest
Chapter Forty-Seven



Day after the opening.

Moms still not up Nini?

I thought Id let her sleep.

JJ?

In our bed with his mother.

Do you have to go the center today?

Just to do some paperwork and get ready for our next project.

Sounds exciting. What is it?

I dont know yet. But hopefully its not redoing another house.

Do you have to leave now?

I need to, but I was gonna get JJ up so he could go with me.

You go and Ill get him ready. He can go with me and James.

Are you sure?

Yeah, were just hanging out today.

I should be back a little after lunch. Ill call you when Im done so I can get him.

Nini, just come home and relax with mom.

Ok. Well Ill call you anyway.

Tina leaving and Libby trying to get JJ out of bed without waking their mom.

In his sleep whisper, mami.

Taking him into his room and laying him down on his bed. But it was too late, he was already waking up.

Libby.

You want to go with me and James?

Yeah.

You want to take a bath?

No.

Come on JJ, itll be fun.


James came and they three were off for their adventurous day.

Bette woke up to a silence that lately she hadnt heard in awhile. On the mirror two notes.

The first.

I didnt want to wake you. You deserved to sleep in. Im at the center but Ill be home soon.
Tina.

The second.

Momma JJ and I are with James. Well be home later on tonight.
Libby,

in a nice signature as two funny looking letters she knew belonged to a little boy by the name of, JJ

Getting ready she headed off in search of something to eat. She was reading her paper when a knock interrupted in her. Another knock.

Opening the door, there stood a fragile old man.

Daddy.

His eyes were different, his once You Cant Mess With Me poise gone, and his hair whiter than usual.

Elizabeth, may I come in.

Opening the door a little wider she stepped out of the way so he could make his entrance.

Can I get you some coffee?

Im good.

Then may I ask what are you doing here?

Will you sit with me?

Im fine here.

He knew she wasnt going to make this easy.

Elizabeth,

Oh cut the bullshit Melvin. She thought she let that part of her go, but leave it to him to bring that part of her old self back.

Please Bette,

What.

That last time you came and saw me, you killed me.

Well I held it in for too long.

Youre right, I deserved it. But having you just walk out like that shook me.

Why are you telling me this?

Because you better than anyone else should know that when someone you love leaves your life like that it breaks you. And my daughter letting me have it and then leaving like that was too much to bare.

You cost me a lot. No, wait I let you cost me my everything.

And I want to right my wrongs, Elizabeth. Im trying.

Dont you think youre a little too late?

Am I?

Im doing so good right now, why would you want to come and ruin it for me.

I dont want to ruin anything.

You did before.

Im sorry.

So was I.

Is there anything I can do?

Daddy, when you spoke those words, and when you looked at us like we had done something wrong, you broke me then. You degrading my love for her and the baby was just something I couldnt live with. What did you want from me? I did everything I could to make you proud of me. But loving her was the one thing you couldnt handle.

I know.

No you dont know, I broke her heart because you broke mine. Those werent my intentions, but it was done. Your words gave me nightmares. And your judgements of me drove me to want to be right in your eyes, all the while driving me away from my wife. She didnt deserve that.

Elizabeth, having one daughter turn her back on me was hard, but having you, my little girl, turning her back on me

You turned your back first.

I did, I admit that, but what more do you want me to say. That Im a bad father, that I messed up not only your sisters life but yours too.

I never wanted you to say that. All I wanted was for you to be happy for me, be happy with me.

I was, I still am.

They why did you say those things.

Because I couldnt handle having a daughter who liked women. I worked so hard on getting you into a good school and tried to give you the best. I thought that youd just throw it all away and end up like

Like Kit.

She asked me once, what did I trade my pride with, with you. Its not that I traded it, it was just that you took it the moment I gave it to you.

I never meant for us to be like this. I never meant to hurt you or Tina.

I never meant to hurt her either.

I need a second chance at this Bette.

Why should I bother?

Because she gave you one.

Finally taking her seat next to him and taking his old hand,

I count my blessings that she did, but Ill be damned if you ever hurt us again.

I dont want to.

Good because I can only handle walking away from you once.

Rebuilding the bond, that she so needed long ago, but this time the only difference was, that he was the one who needed it now.

Babe, opening the door. She saw Bette then she saw Melvin.

BaBette, is everything okay, closing the door.

Yeah, my father just stopped by to seeus.

Melvin, its good to see you. Remembering the last time he was here.

Tina, how are you?

Im good. Can I talk to you a second in the room Bette.

Daddy, will you excuse me.

I thought you guys werent on speaking terms.

We werent.

But.

He asked for a second chance.

Does he know about the baby, or even JJ and Libby for that matter?

No, I told David not to mention a thing to him, at the time he didnt deserve to know.

Are we gonna tell him?

Not just yet.

Walking back into the living room, he was looking at the pictures on the mantle of their kids.

Daddy, we

Theyre beautiful. Your pictures?

Yes.

Turning to look at his daughter, Im sorry, then going back to the pictures. I hope you both will call me sometime.

You have to leave already?

Yes, its my last day, and my plane leaves in an hour.

Let us take you then.

No, please, stay here, be with Tina.


Fixing dinner as Tina sat on the counter,

You did good today.

How can you tell?

I can see it in your eyes.

You can see what?

The peace.

Going back to mixing the ingredients as Tina was humming along with the music.

Will you hand me that spoon?

More humming.

Thank you.

A spoon tapping with the humming,

What are you humming T.

Speaking of eyes, as this time Tinas voice floated out in the air,

Oh girl I love the shine in your eyes, in your kiss, your smile, your touch, oh girl I love the look in your eyes when you say that you need me so much.

Aww, thats sweet T, but please dont quit your day job.

Oh thats the last time I sing anything for you.

Im kidding. What was it that Alice said the other day about Danas voice? Let me think. Putting her hand on her chin as if it was something she was thinking very hard about. Oh yeah she said Dana could sing, but she just didnt say how well.

Funny Porter.

Dont be mad T, you can sing to me anytime.




No School, but Can I Marry Her
Chapter Forty-Eight



Momma,

Yeah sweetie, as Tina fumbled with his zipper.

Can you tell B.B. I dont want to go?

You dont want to go to school and make friends?

Tengo miedo. Um she hadnt quite mastered his language like Bette had. Let me get her okay.

Bette he said something I didnt understand.

Sweetie, can you tell me what you just said?

Im scared.

Oh baby, its okay. Itll only be for a little while, then Ill go get you.

Can James come with me?

Baby, James has to go to work. Momma and I we have to go to work too.

Libby.

She has to go to school sweetie.

Mami, dont leave me.

JJ, look at me, taking the little boys chin in her hand. Youll have fun, there will be little boys to play with and you get to run around and play. Nini, will be close by at her work.

The little boy not wanting to let go of his mother.

JJ will you do me a favor?

Shaking his head still holding on to her.

But first you have to let go. His little hands now resting on her shoulder, Will you smile for me?

The tears in his eyes threatening to come as he smiled a small smile for his mom.

If James comes and gets you, will you go to school?

Bette.

What.

Its getting late, we have to go.

Okay, now JJ if you do this for me, I promise James will pick you up.

Only for a little while?

Yes, baby only for a little while.

And I can play with James after.

Yes, now will you do that for me?

Shaking his little head, Yes.

After dropping him off and going towards Tinas direction,

You are the best mother that I know.

Well youre the bestest wife that I know. Kissing her lips.

Lunch with the girls?

Yeah at twelve-thirty I think.

Youll pick me up?

Ill be here.


So Shane, who are you bringing tonight?

Cant you wait Al?

No, so who is she?

Shane was getting annoyed when the duo arrived and saved her. Seizing the moment, she offered to get their drinks.

Shane wont tell me who shes bringing tonight.

Al, leave it alone.

You know Bette, dont you?

No, and even if I did.

Youre evil.

Youre nosy.

Ladies please can we eat without this childish bickering.

Sorry momma T.

So Dana a tour coming up?

Yeah in two weeks.

How long?

Seven days.

And Alice?

What?

Nothing.

Here you go guys, two usuals.

Thanks Shane.

Bette knows doesnt she?

Oh for goodness sakes Alice drop it.

Dana,

Sorry.

Seven days huh? Thats a long time.

Porter bite me. Shes frustrated, Im frustrated.

Alice!

What, we are.

Why dont you just go Al?

I would Shane, but I have a job.

So.

So, so I just cant leave it whenever I want. Im not the boss yet.

That sucks.

Tell me about it, Dana finished as she bit into her salad.

So Tina when do we go to the doctor to find out how far along are you?

We?

You know what I meant.

Wednesday.

Libby?

Same day.

So is it weird being pregnant with your kid?

Alice, I swear.

What. Its a simple question.

No. Its not.

Good.

So JJs first day of school. How exciting?

He told me to tell Bette to not make him go.

Awww

Dana youre such a goober.

So.

So what did you do?

I promised that James would pick him up.

Thats it?

Thats all he wanted.

I gotta hand it to you Cleavers you know negotiations.

Alice!

Thanks for lunch girls, but we have to go.

Yeah, so do we.

Yeah Im meeting a client, as she looked at Bette and smiled.

Tonight at 8 then?

Yeah at eight.



Do you want JJ with me or can you take him today?

Im just hanging with the kids today when they get out. So I can take him.

Ill pick you up and six.


James.

Opening his office door, James.

Im over here Bette. Coming from the back.

What are you doing at the piano?

Will you teach me?

What.

So I can play for Libby. She thinks its romantic when you sing to Tina.

I know, thats why I play it.

I want to marry her Bette. Not because of the baby, but because I love her.

Do you think I can make her happy Bette?

James, she loves you.

Thats not what I asked?

Do you think you can make her happy?

Yes.

Then thats all you need to know.

Her birthdays coming up.

You gonna ask her then?

Is it okay if I do?

I put my shotgun away a long time ago.

Thats good to hear.

Then marry my girl.

You want me to marry Tina?

Having you as a partner and son-in-law is gonna kill me all right.

I thought Tina was your partner?

Shes not, shes my wife. Playing with the ring that she had on her left finger on her left hand.

My wife, I like the sound of that.

You better, cause youll soon have one of your own.

I cant wait, Bette, I cant wait.