Chapter 6

 Kit held Angelica on the front porch.  She babbled and cackled as they stood watching her mommies leaving for their vacation.

 “Bye Sweetness,” Bette called out.  “We’ll miss you!”

 “We love you baby girl!” Tina said as she finally got into the taxi.

 “Good morning ladies,” the cab driver greeted them with a smile.  “We’ll be at the airport in plenty of time.”

 “Good morning,” Bette mumbled as she closed the door and adjusted her seat belt. Tina sat quietly looking out the window until the view of their front porch was gone.  Bette laid her head back on the seat and took a breath. After a moment of silence between them, she rose up and looked over at Tina.

“You know,” she said, “there’s still time to change your mind.” Tina’s eyes were glassy and you could see the trace of tear tracks on her face.

 “No. No turning back now,” she replied under her breath. “I want to do this. I’ll be fine.” Bette reached down and took Tina’s hand. Holding on tight and listening to the faint sounds of “Once, Twice,

Three Times a Lady’ coming from the radio. Another sign, she thought to her self. This was right. She felt it.  

When they reached the airport, Tina’s demeanor had changed. She now looked more relaxed and ready to venture forward. The driver dropped them off in front of the terminal and unloaded their luggage.  An observant skycap met them at the curb with a cart to load their bags.

“Morning ladies,” he smiled, “I can check your luggage right here if you would like me to.”

“Oh yes please,” Bette said. She was happy not having to struggle with them through the terminal.

“Where are you ladies heading?” he asked with enthusiasm.

Tina replied, “We are going to Tuscany, Italy.”

“Oh, I just love it there,” he began saying as he piled the bags high on the cart.  “You will have a wonderful time,” he continued.   “My wife and I went there on our honeymoon. It’s breathtaking. The landscapes are unforgettable.” 

Tina listened closely as he described the villa he and his wife stayed at. She envisioned the scenery and felt as though she were there. And in just under twenty hours, she would be.