“Tina, I’m so proud of you.  You do whatever it takes for you and Angie to be happy.  I don’t blame you.  Bette is not doing right by you.  She’s playing games with you and I don’t like it.   I don’t know what’s gotten into her lately, but she’s changed.  Bette’s smoking, and drinking, and fu…  ah… she’s being a bitch.” Kit said catching herself.  Tina didn’t need to hear about Bette’s many sexual conquests of late.  I wonder if Tina knows that Bette and Jodi are no longer together, Kit thought to herself.  “Anyhow Bette better be careful.  She’s getting a reputation, and it’s not a good one.  Bette the player is re-emerging.” Kit said.

BIRTHDAY PARTY TIME

Bette called and said it was time for the party to begin.  It was perfect timing.  I was at the checkout isle at Target buying Angie a present, her first camera.  It’s a throw away with Big Bird’s picture on the case.  Now she can be like Momma B and take pictures.

As I pulled up to the condo, I saw Bette and Angie dancing in the living room.  They were dancing like they were contestants on “Dancing With The Stars.”  I thought to my self this is going to be a fun evening, so much for decorum.

I beeped the horn to let Bette know I was home.  I sat in the car for a few minutes.  I wanted to think about tonight.  This would be our last night as a family.  I decided I wanted to make this a memorable evening for everyone.  No sadness.  No nasty remarks.  I want to laugh a lot, and take lots of pictures.  I want to make memories of the family that once was and could have been.

I jiggled the keys in the door to let Angie know I was there.  I heard Angie giggle.  I had my camera ready for action.  As I walked in, the co-conspirators sang “ Happy Birthday.”  They had the goofiest grins on their faces.   What a sight.  Angie was standing on a stool wearing my flannel shirt.  It was twenty sizes to big with the sleeves rolled up at least ten times.  It was tied with some twine!  It looked like we were doing the revival of Lil’ Abner, off Broadway.   Angie had her arm up around Bette’s waist.  Bette was using Angie’s head as an armrest.  Angie’s mouth had a chocolate mustache above it and jellybeans and a piece of spaghetti were in her hair!!  Bette didn’t look much better.  She had jellybeans in her hair.  They must have had a jellybean fight!  There was a big swatch of frosting across Bette’s forehead.  It looked like the birthday cake got the better of her.  They both had cake flour dusted all over them. What a mess!  I love it!