New York minute

Chapter 92

“Do you think that we should make a donation to this place?” Bette said to Tina as they stood together.
Tina smiled “You think that the whole history of our relationship would have been different if Angie hadn’t fallen in love with dinosaurs?”
“It’s possible “
“She loved you from the start because you spent time with her and you didn’t dismiss her. She adored you – the museum was a great bonus. I had never thought of taking her to anywhere like this in LA “
“This place will always have a special place in my heart “
“I don’t think its somewhere that mom and dad will forget “
They looked across to where Angie was standing talking to her grandfather.
“She’s just an amazing kid “Bette said “Look at her “
“I cannot take my eyes off them… she’s just the calmest out of all of us. How do you think that my parents are handing it?”
“It’s a dream come true “Mary said coming up behind then. Bette and Tina turned around
“Hello there – did you find the bathroom – you have been a long time” Tina asked
“Eventually – then on the way out I took the wrong turning and got lost. What have I missed?”
“Angie is still talking “Bette reported
“She reminds me of you Tina “
Bette laughed “I have said that in the past “
“You never shut up sometimes “
“Sounds familiar “Bette remarked laughing
Tina grinned “As I recall I always had a lot to say “
“That seems certainly true of your daughter “
“Oh yes “Bette said “There are few subjects she does not have an opinion on. God help us when she starts senior school and she is learning about history and politics”
“It will make things lively “Tina said “It’s odd because I always imagined you having opinions on everything “
“Me? Oh I did – except in my case I didn’t see enough of my father to ask him about things. I would have loved having so many adults as an audience”
“Do you think dad needs rescuing?” Tina asked her mother
“No – I think he is very happy – thank you Bette – thank you Tina “
“We want the best for her and this is right for her. She’s happy and she is obviously at ease with both of you “
“I thought it would take longer for her to trust us”
“You got extra credit because of how you handled her question about you not liking that I am gay “
Mary sighed “If you had told me that you were gay when you were 19 there would have been problems. I cannot deny that. I have been thinking about it since I found out what your sexuality was and you were right. We would not have been able to deal with it “
“The most important thing now is that it’s not an issue for either of you “Bette said. Mary looked at both women
“No — it’s not a problem. The two of you look very content and looking at Angie – the two of you are very good parents. All a parent wants is to see their child happy and in a relationship that is nurturing for them – that doesn’t stifle them. Tina – it’s obvious that Bette is very good for you “
“Bette’s very good for me “- she always has been and I know that she always will be “
Mary smiled “I think we should go and drag them away from that dinosaur. How does she feel about butterflies?”
“We never get around to going and seeing them “
“Well I just wandered in there and it’s beautiful “
“It’s a good idea – lets go drag them away “
Tina took Bette’s hand and they walked forward from where they had been looking at a different display so Jack could spend some time alone with Angie.
“It looks like the two of you are waiting for this bad boy to come back to life”
Bette said. Angie turned and smiled at her mother
“Granddad is telling me about when he found a fossil when he was a boy “
“Well we can go and look at some of the fossils later if you both behave – but your grandmother would like to go and look at the butterflies so let’s move “
“Can we not stay here?” Angie always hated being made to leave the dinosaurs
“No – your mother is right – we have been here too long – let’s go and look at live things”
“Then can we look at the fossils?”
“Yes – if you want “Tina said “Come on”
Angie took her grandfather’s hand and followed her mothers. Tina glanced back
“She’s just made him the happiest man on the planet “
Bette looked behind her and saw the two generations walking along together
“There’s nothing false about that girl – if she likes you she shows it and if she doesn’t she shows it”
“Like telling James that his beard was grey “
Bette chuckled “Remind me to get him some of that stuff we see advertised – the hair dye for the greying gentleman “
“He will point out that your hair has not a hint of grey in it “
Bette laughed “He wouldn’t dare “
“Don’t be so certain – just let him have his vanity like he lets you have yours”
They walked as a group through other exhibitions until they reached the butterfly section.
“This is a section that we have not really seen before “Tina said
“What do you think Angie?”
“They are pretty – what is that one?”
“I don’t know – Mary – can you see what that blue butterfly is called?”
Mary started reading the information and explaining what she had read to Angie who as always just loved being told something new
“Can we go and see the bugs next please?” Angie asked as they walked around
Bette looked at Tina – they had talked about making lunch for Tina’s parents at their apartment. If they were happy with Tina’s parents spending time with them and their daughter they should also be happy to invite them to their home.
“What do you think Tina?” Bette asked
“I think that I am hungry “Tina said “What about you mom?”
“I wouldn’t mind sitting down and having some tea “
“Right – in that case we will see the butterflies and a quick look at the bugs because Angie and I are freaked out by them. Then we will go and have some lunch”
“The café here looks nice “Mary said
Tina looked at Bette who nodded as far as she was concerned there was only one location for lunch – their place
“It’s nice but we wondered if you would like to see our apartment. There is only one member of the family that you have not met and Sheba is an experience all on her own “
Mary looked surprised “Do you mean it?”
“Of course – plus you have to see the view from the 17th floor – I am sure Angie will show you her room and she will round up the cat “Bette said – she looked at the older man
“Jack “
Jack looked over from where he and Angie had been deep in conversation
“Yes – sorry – what’s up?”
“Would you like to come to our apartment for lunch – we could do with a sit down”
He beamed “That would be really nice – thank you Bette “
“No problem “Tina said “Does that met with your approval Angelica?”
“What?”
“Excuse me – did you just say something?” Bette asked
“Sorry – I mean – pardon?”
“Very good – I was asking you if it was okay that your grandma and granddad come to our apartment for lunch. They cannot say they have met all the Kennard-Porter’s until they have met Sheba “
“Oh yes – come and see my cat granddad “
“Thank you – that would be really good “
Bette put her arm around Tina’s shoulder “Let’s go look at that display over there”
Tina nodded “Keep an eye on her mom “
“Of course – we won’t let her out of our sight – you know that “
“We do “Tina said.
They walked off alone and looked at a display case with some butterfly pupa in various stages of development.
“What do you think Ti?”
“I think as always Angie has just shown what a well-adjusted young lady she is. She has just taken them in her stride.”
“I think like when I came on the scene she trusted you enough to know that you wouldn’t let anyone get close to her without knowing they are okay. She doesn’t know that of course – she just trusts you because you are her mommy “
“And now she trusts both of us to take care of her “
Bette nodded “So would you like them at the wedding?”
“It would be nice “
“It would be good to have then there – it would be a blessing for us. I know we do not need it but it would be good for you and for Angie “
“What about you?”
Bette nodded “I like the idea of having your parent’s approval – we didn’t have my father’s approval the last time “
“He made you cry “Tina reminded Bette
“I know – my own stupid freaking fault for thinking that he would change his bigotry and give me his approval on the day I married the woman I was committing my life to. I let myself open to what happened “
“Do you think they are okay about our sexuality?”
“Do you have doubts?”
“I don’t know – it’s probably my own hang up – I never thought they would be cool about me being a dyke “
“As your mom have said a few times she can see that you are happy – and she rightly assesses that I am a truly awesome partner to have “
Tina laughed “Truly awesome did you say?”
“Totally truly awesome “Bette confirmed
Tina lent forward and kissed Bette “You are truly awesome – I love you”
Bette smiled “Your parents really seem fine about the choice you made”
“I didn’t have any choice when I met you – I fell deeply in love with you – not that I should be making your head any bigger than it already is”
Bette returned the kiss “Bigger head means bigger tongue means more pleasure that I can give you when I am licking you and tasting you”
“Bette ! “Tina slapped Bette good naturedly
“True – well known fact “
“You are a mischief – behave “
“Will you tell your mom and dad what a terrible person I am “
Tina shook her head “There are times when Sheba is easier to control than you are “
“But which pussy do you prefer?”
“I am going to see how Angie is getting on with my mom and dad – you are bad – stay here until you have calmed down “
Bette chuckled and wandered off to look at a different display case. After a few minutes she turned round and watched Tina standing with her parents and their daughter. She smiled – Tina really did look at peace – it was good for everyone that Mary and Jack were back in her life. She took out her phone and moving close enough to get a good picture she snapped a few photographs of the three generations of Kennard’s. It was truly amazing how life threw up so many twists and turns. All of this just from Kit hiring a drag queen – life was truly a mysterious adventure