Chapter 80

Alice and Dana showed up for for the barbeque – they were early. That was fine with Bette. It would give her time to deal with the ISSUES she had with Alice. The scene was set perfectly. They came directly into the backyard. Dana almost immediately went into the house to find Tina.

Bette looked at Alice and smiled. “So – I hear you’ve been spending some time with Mary Grace.”

Alice looked back at Bette – she knew they were about to have words. “Yeah…your point Yuppie…your point?”

Bette wasted no time. She walked up to Alice and placed her in a head lock! “Ok hippie – what the ***** have you been saying to that kid? Come on hippie – tell me. She’s starting to sound just like you.”

“Lucky kid! Better than starting to sound like YOU!”

“I’m not letting go of you until you tell me what you’ve been saying to her!”

“Jeez Bette – loosen your grip a bit huh? You’re strangling me.” Bette loosened her grip a little bit – but not enough for Alice to actually be able to get away from her.

“Tell me what you’ve said to her! TELL ME!”

“Well it’s not like I’ve said anything bad about you. You know – I’ve said you get paid alot for doing nothing, that you….forget that! Ummmm – that your sure to totally choke in the delivery room and leave Tina there wondering what the ***** is going on….you know – stuff like that.”

Bette removed her arm from around Alice’s neck and walked into the house without saying a word to anyone. She didn’t stop walking until she reached the bedroom. She closed the door – went to the stereo – put on a CD and sat on the edge of the bed.

Tina, who had been talking to Dana and Jackie saw Bette come into the house. Her face was pale – she didn’t look good. Tina went outside to find out from Alice what had happened. When Alice told her what she said to Bette, Tina’s temper flared. “You said what to her?” Tina was really angry and obviously feeling very protective.

“Come on T…we say ***** like that all the time.”

“Not ***** like that Alice. Do me a favor and keep your ***** mouth shut when it comes to Bette and the babies ok? If you don’t – I’m gonna help Bette kick your teeth out your *****…***** Alice!” Tina turned away from Alice and walked into the house. She needed to go speak to Bette. Alice just stood there with her mouth open – then she decided to go get a beer – obviously this was going to be a tense day at Casa Porter-Kennard!

Tina stopped outside the bedroom door. She heard the music that was playing. She whispered. “Oh ***** – the Princess Diana Tribute CD…bad sign…*****!” Tina knew that Bette played that particular CD when she was very upset and wanted to drown herself in her negative thoughts. Tina hesitated to open the door. She knew Bette needed time – but she needed to make sure she didn’t give her too much or she’d just sink further into her little black hole of depression. “Oh God – not that song…” Tina listened…this song did nasty things to her psyche too.

“You Have Been Loved”

she takes the back road and the lane
past the school that has not changed
in all this time
she thinks of when the boy was young
all the battles she had won
just to give him life

that man
she loved that man
for all his life
but now we meet to take him flowers
and only God knows why
for what’s the use in pressing palms
when children fade in mother’s arms
it’s a cruel world
we’ve so much to lose
and what we have to learn, we rarely choose

so if it’s God who took her son
he cannot be the one living in her mind

take care my love, she said
don’t think that God is dead
take care my love, she said

you have been loved

If I was weak, forgive me
but I was terrified
you brushed my eyes with angels wings, full of love
the kind that makes devils cry

so these days
my life has changed
and I’ll be fine
but she just sits and counts the hours
searching for her crime

so what’s the use of pressing palms
if you won’t keep such love from harm
it’s a cruel world
you’ve so much to prove

and heaven help the ones who wait for you

well I’ve no daughters, I’ve no sons
guess I’m the only one
living in my life

take care my love, he said
don’t think that God is dead
take care my love, he said
you have been loved
Tina opened the door. Bette was sitting on the bed – her face blank. Tina went to her and put her arms around her. “Baby…we all know Alice is an *****…right?”
“T…she’s right..I am going to choke – we both know it.”
“No WE don’t…Baby…we’re going to be fine..you’re going to be great. And mom’s going to be there to help you – ok?”
“God Tina -could I please play something a little more depressing!”
“Ah…NOPE…I think this song is about as depressing as they come Babe!”
“***** T…I just feel so helpless – you know!”
“Baby…you’re going to be fine – we all are. We won’t let Alice come to the hospital until after the babies are born ok?”
“I don’t want any of them there until it’s overwith – dealing with you is going to be hard enough.” Bette winked at Tina – she was feeling better – Tina always seemed to have this affect on her. “I don’t want to have to deal with any of them until it’s over and I know everybody is ok.”
“Ok – that’s fine with me Baby…whatever would make you most comfortable.”
Bette leaned into Tina and kissed her. “Thanks for being you…Hey T…one more song ok?”
“Ok – but something a little more upbeat ok?”
“Ok! – Hmmmmm. Ok- listen to this one…”
“You Were Loved”
We all wanna make a place in this world
We all want our voices to be heard
Every one wants a chance to be someone
We all have dreams we need to dream
Sweeter than any star you can reach
Cuz when you reach and find, you’ve found someone
You’ll hold this world’s most priceless thing
The greatest gift this life can bring
Is when you look back and know
You were loved
You were loved by someone
Touched by someone
Held by someone
Meant something to someone
Loved somebody
Touched somebody’s heart
Along the way
You can look back and say
You were loved

You can have diamonds in your hands
Have all the riches in the land
But, without love,
You don’t really have a thing, no no
When somebody cares that you’re alive
When somebody trusts you with their life
That’s when you’ll know
That you have all you need
You’ll hold this world’s most priceless gift
The finest treasure that there is
You can look back and know
You were loved
You were loved by someone
Touched by someone
Held by someone
Meant something to someone
Loved somebody
Touched somebody’s heart
Along the way
You can look back and say
Yes, You were loved
So many roads that you can take
Whatever way you go
Don’t take that road alone
It’s better you should know
You were loved by someone
Touched by someone
Held by someone
Meant something to someone
Loved somebody
Touched somebody’s heart
Along the way
You can look back and say
You did okay
You were loved
So remember to tell that special one
You are loved
You are loved
You are loved
You are loved
“You are loved T.”
“You are too Baby.” Tina kissed Bette. “Now let’s get back out there. Oh – and Bette – you have my permission to kick Alice’s *****! Go get her Tiger!”
TBC