But then it was gone. Bette slowly closed her eyes as she composed herself and broke the contact.  She cleared her throat and gently said “I can’t believe you were able to read that letter Tina.  Thank-you. I couldn’t have done it.”  Around the table heads nodded in silent agreement and Tina shrugged her shoulders as the emotion she had set aside spilled out of her as her silent tears continued to fall.  Her vision obscured by the moisture, she frantically searched her purse for a tissue.  Out of the corner of her eye she saw an arm reach across the table. “Here take this” She reached to take the tissue from Bette and as it was transferred between them Bette softly closed her fingers around Tina’s outstretched hand gently stroking the back of it offering comfort.  Tina allowed herself to maintain the connection momentarily before withdrawing the tissue to dry her tears.

The spell was broken by another voice.  “Did any of you ladies know about the therapist, Charlie was it, that she mentioned in the letter?” asked Kit.  “I’m really pleased for her that she had someone she could talk this stuff over with you know?”

“I can’t believe we gave her the memorial she wanted without even knowing it” interrupted Shane who hadn’t even heard Kit being so lost in her own thoughts.  “I can.”  All the other heads at the table whipped around to look at Max.  “What?  You guys are the closest family I have ever witnessed.  Of course you knew what she wanted.  We all knew that day when we were at the waterfall that we were doing what she would have wanted.”

“I can’t believe her parents didn’t have the dignity to honour her wishes.  I mean I know Peggy and I have had our difficulties but I always thought than when it came down to the really important stuff eventually parents’ unconditional love would win through.”

“But when you think about it that’s the problem” piped up Jenny.  “Dana’s parents didn’t love her unconditionally.  There were conditions.  She had to choose a life that they approved of to get their love. “  

“Look guys I know we’re all angry that we’re only getting this now but you have to think about the fact that Mrs Fairbanks didn’t have to ever give this to us at all – none of us knew it existed.  She could have destroyed it and we would never have known.  I know she’s done the wrong thing and if Dana was here she’d be pretty angry with her but as she said in her letter she loved her parents and believed they loved her so we should respect that.  Besides when Howie talked to Al he said his Mom was sorry, right Al?”