SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL

Chapter 69

“I always look forward to lunch with your parents” Tina said as they entered the building where Bette’s parents lived. “But today might be strange “

“I will talk to mom as soon as we get there – she will be in the kitchen. I need to reassure her”

“With luck the flowers will have made her feel better “

“The last thing I wanted to do the other night was make her feel bad but she obviously took me not showing up as some sort of disapproval”

“I would hope that she knows you better than that”
“Well so would I but this is not something that any of us are comfortable with- they all must feel bad in their own way “

Tina nodded “ Yes – you are right – if lunch goes well today I would hope that everyone has been reassured and we can look forward to Christmas in a couple of days without anyone’s ego needed nursing”

“Tina?”
“Yeah “

“What will you do if she tries to get in touch with you?”

“If she shows up I will tell her that her grand plan backfired and I don’t care who Emma did or didn’t sleep with”

“It will be odd Christmas for you and Emma – nothing like past Christmases”
“That is probably no bad thing – last Christmas I emerged from my room for a few hours and as soon as lunch was over I went back to my room to work on an essay”
“Did you really work on an essay ?”
“No – I had some beers and a stack of movies so I just spent the whole afternoon in there”

“Well this Christmas there will be party hats and games and booze of every description. Mom is just thrilled to have all of us together and she will make Emma and you feel very much a part of the family which you both are. All the same – it will be odd not for you to see Kate”
“The one thing that would ruin Christmas for me would be Kate showing up”

“Don’t worry I am going to install one of those peek hole things in the door downstairs so we can see who it is knocking at the door. “

Some kind of wonderful

Chapter 68

“Thanks for meeting me “

“Dad – I am always happy to meet you – you know that “ Bette greeted her father in his favourite sports bar “ And as we are getting a reputation of doing just about anything for free food I am always happy to meet you here “

He laughed “Beer and a burger?”

“That would be awesome – I will get us a booth”

Bette kissed her father before going to find a booth – she moved so she could watch the female soccer that was on one of the big screens – yes – she had seen Tina do that. She was admiring the physicality of the women when her father joined her and handed her a beer. He sat down and looked to see what was holding her attention

“Aren’t you supposed to be taken?”
“I am – but I am just admiring their – eh – skills – that’s it – I am admiring their skills”

“Does Tina know you watch female soccer players like that?”

“She is worse than me “Bette replied

“That’s okay then – how are you sweetheart?”
“That was going to be my question “

“I am fine – what about you – your mom was worried about you the other night “

Bette laughed “Yes – so I heard. I really was just beat. I needed some time on my own to just process things. We spent a really lazy day yesterday – just lazing around watching rubbish on TV and eating too much and sleeping – it was the day we both needed. This morning we went out to buy a Christmas tree and some ornaments “
“How does the tree look?”

“I left her going off to meet Emma – she has been tasked with buying some lights. We will put the tree up later”

“It’s nice when you buy your own tree – do you have one in your apartment?”
“Not much point to be honest. I spend most of my time with Tina “

“Are you thinking of moving in with her?”

“We are as good as living together now –we might do something official next year – it would make sense for me to keep my place while I am at University –it’s a good base for me but after that I might rent the place out – the extra money would be handy”

Some kind of wonderful

Chapter 67

The dress rehearsal night of “Oscar’s “was just beginning when Melvin and Rosemary arrived and where shown to their table by a handsome blonde waiter wearing black trousers, a white shirt and red waistcoat. They sat down and where handed a menu by the waiter and asked what they would like to drink. Left alone while the waiter went to get their drinks Rosemary looked at her husband

“Are you going to be okay with Emma tonight?”

Melvin looked at his wife – today had been a shock but now that he was recovering he was determined that ancient history was not going to spoil his life

“Sweetheart – I am fine “
“It was a shock “
“It was a shock to all three of us and it was an even bigger shock to our daughters. The three of us have lived with this for a long time – they have not” he said evenly and nodded at a couple of lawyers he knew who had just walked passed their table “And let’s keep our voices down tonight – there are a lot of lawyers in here tonight and we don’t want ancient business becoming common knowledge”
“I will be discrete Melvin”
“I know what you two are like when you get together “ he laughed at the irony of his comment “ And you know what way I meant that remark – and you know what I didn’t mean by it”

“It’s okay darling – it’s going to be a little odd that’s all “

Emma arrived just as their drinks arrived. She looked glamorous in a red dress that showed off her tan and her recent weight loss. Melvin stood up and went to greet her – she looked at him with a wry smile on her face

“I cannot apologise enough” she began but he pulled her into a hug and spoke quietly into her ear

“Let’s be aware of how many of our colleagues are in here tonight and be careful of being overheard”
“You are right –sorry”
“And “he said facing her “None of this is your fault so let’s not have any apologies – you, Rosie and I are the victims of whatever crazy trip your ex is on. Now come and sit down”

Some kind of wonderful
Chapter 66

They had been talking for another 50 minutes when the door of the bar opened and Bette looked up to see Tina walking in
“Tina is here “
“Oh God – I am nervous – are you sure she is okay?”
“Yes – don’t worry. As I said we had a long talk last night and this morning –she has burnt off some energy and she’s been with Shane – I wold be amazed if she changed her mind”
“I hope to God she hasn’t “
Bette stood up and went across to greet Tina
“Are you okay?”
Tina nodded “This is still surreal”
“I know “
“How is she?”
“Like a nervous kitten – she is scared that you are going to be livid with her”
“Why would I be?”
“I think “Bette said lowering her voice even though they were far away enough for Emma not to hear any of their conversation “I think she is just accustomed to be the bad guy”
“How was Rosemary?”
“Shocked and left to cry off the rest of the day so she could see dad”
“I am worried about he will take the news that we know “Tina said
Bette nodded – grateful that Tina could see how hard this could be for her father. That showed how much Tina cared not just for her but for her family. Bette took Tina’s hands
“Do you want me to stay with the two of you or would you like some time alone with her?”
“Don’t leave me just yet “
“I won’t leave until you are okay. Do you want a beer or something stronger?”
“Just a beer – what is mom drinking?”
“She has had a couple of double ryes, one beer and two Irish coffees “
“So she’s not steamed?”
“No – she is sober and she is okay I think. Other than being terrified about what you are going to say – be kind to her”
“A few months ago I don’t think I would have ever heard you say that about her “
“I know – but be kind to her – she’s had a shock – they all have”
Bette kissed Tina on the lips and went to the bar. Left alone Tina headed towards her mother who was looking unusually sheepish. Tina walked across and sat down facing her mother
“Well mother – there is nothing wrong with your taste in women is there?”
Emma looked at Tina slightly shocked at the remark but found that Tina was smiling
“Well if anyone should appreciate my taste it’s you “she replied
Tina laughed “Mother – mother – you sly old fox “
Emma grinned – Tina’s reaction was better than anything she could have expected. She held out her hands
“How the hell was I to know that my only daughter would fall in love with her daughter?”
“You weren’t and at that age you were – there is no reason that you ever would. Are you okay?”
“I am more worried about my daughter and her daughter’s reactions “
Bette came back with a beer for Tina and another Irish coffee for Emma. She had been watching mother and daughter from the bar and Tina seemed in great form and had made Emma laugh which did mean that the ice had been broken between them. She would stay a little longer and make her excuses and head back to the apartment – she needed to spend some time lost in Forensic science – not her current study of human fragilities.
“How was it with Shane?” Bette asked
“She is very wise “Tina said “I can see that one of her attractions is that she is very all seeing and wise. Despite having a love life that would not be out of place on one of those daytime soaps she is sage. I have missed her so much “
“And what did she have to say?”
Tina smiled “That my mother has amazing taste in women “
Bette chuckled “I think that’s a joke you shouldn’t make in front of my father “
“I wouldn’t “Tina said “You know I wouldn’t babe “
Bette nodded “Well you two seem okay – and I think you two need to have some mother and daughter time”
Tina looked at Bette “ Bette – I didn’t mean”
“I know “ Bette smiled “ I know that – I just think you and Emma need some time – like I need some time with mom. Are you all still planning to go to Matt’s thing tonight?”
“It depends on your father “Emma said “I would like to go and talk everything through “
“I don’t think Tina and I should be there – you three have a lot to talk about “Bette looked at Tina
“Is that okay with you – or if you want to go?”
Tina shook her head “No – you are right – we ca go to the next one. How about we go to the movies or something?”
Bette nodded “You have a date Ms Kennard “
She stood up and looked at both women and smiled
“I will say what I have said to both of you separately – what Kate did was mean and spiteful. It doesn’t deserve to damage anything between any of us. So yes we can all be shocked and need time but we stay solid and she loses. One day with you two angry at one another is a victory for someone who shouldn’t be allowed any victories “Bette lent forward and kissed Tina softly on the lips
“I love you “she said tenderly and touched her face “I will see you back at the apartment later”
She looked at Emma “Take care of each other “

Some kind of wonderful

Chapter 65

After an hour Rosemary had to leave to go to work. Bette walked to the door of the bar with her

“Did we do the right thing telling you both?”

Rosemary took hold of Bette’s hands “Of course you did sweetheart and I am very proud of how you handled it”

“I am sorry I had to”
“So am I “
“How do you think dad will take it?”
“He will be shocked and ashamed that it’s come out”
“He has nothing to be ashamed of – it was a long time ago and it’s been buried for over 30 years”
“Why did she do it Bette – is it out of spite?”
Bette shock her head “I wish I knew mom – spite – to hurt Tina – to sabotage everyone – I really don’t know. I just know that she is not going to succeed – nothing negative is going to come out of this – I swear that to you mom “

Rosemary touched her daughter’s face “We will talk soon and I will tell you what you want to know”
“I am not sure I want to know mom –you had an affair. Yes it’s a shock and it’s an even bigger shock who you had the affair with but it doesn’t change anything – or how much I love you and dad and Tina “
“And Emma?” Rosemary smiled

“I am warming towards her” Bette said “she keeps buying me great lunches and it might get towards affection.” She laughed “I know what she means to Tina and how proud she is of her. We have a truce and that’s just going to strengthen. If Kate’s game was to fuck up Emma by using me – she will have failed “

Rosemary pulled her daughter into a huge hug “I am so proud of what an amazing woman you have become – so proud honey”

“You better get back to work – is dad in court today?”
“No – so I am going to go back to work long enough to take the rest of the afternoon off and then I am going to see your father “
“It’s that thing at Matthew’s place tonight – are you both still going?”
“It depends on your father “