Some kind of wonderful

Chapter 41

Tina tucked into the scrambled eggs that her mother had put in front of her.
“Thanks mom “
“Its been a while since I made any meal for you “ Emma said
“Well this is great – thanks”
“So is everything ready ?”
“Yeah – thanks for digging out my rucksack and hiking boots”
“Well you are going to need them “
“I have never been up to the Catskills in winter before “
“It will be very cold but you know that but it will be lovely “ Emma was silent for a few minutes and Tina realised she probably had her own memories of weekends up in the mountains with Kate
“Sorry mom “
Emma shook her head “Its okay – good memories help. It makes me remember that there were good times. You have been there lots of times with us “
“Yeah but never in the winter – I am looking forward to it”
“Do you have everything you need ?”
“I am sure Bette has everything that we need. She says the cabin is nice and snug and its close to a larger lodge in case we get into any problems which I don’t think we will. There isn’t any forecast for snow which is probably the only problem we might have “
“So what are the two of you planning to do ?”
“Hike – its something we both got into separately – we might try our hand at canoeing – we are both good swimmers if we fall in “
“Well take care – hyperthermia is a pretty terrifying thing. “
“We will be careful “
“I know you will – I am just saying it because I am your mother “
Tina laughed “ Are you looking forward to your trip ?”
“Yes – yes I am – it will be good to get away from my image “
Tina raised an eyebrow
“I know that I cannot escape myself which is not what I am doing. I am going away to clear my head and make some decisions. I never expected to find myself alone after so long”
“Have you told her you are going away ?”
“No – but I have told my lawyer”
Tina put her fork down and looked at her mother
“Would you take her back ?”
Emma was silent for a few seconds before shaking her head “I am sorry honey but I really don’t think that is an option. She wants someone more exciting than me. She wants me to be someone that I am not. I am a boring old fart addicted to my work “
“She didn’t give you an option though “ Tina said
“She has her own needs and wants. Yes I am sad – hell I am more than sad – I am heartbroken but “ she rubbed a tear from her eye before it trickled down her face “ But that ship has sailed “
“I never thought she was like this “
“She is your mother regardless and she loves you and she will be missing you like crazy – you should call her “
“She could call me “
“You do know how much like me you are sometimes ?”
“I think I am a mix of all three of you – dad was saying the other week that I am like him”
Emma nodded “Yes you are – he’s got a kind heart but he’s very stubborn in his own way. It was smart of him to think of the café idea and have you run it “
Tina chuckled and sipped her coffee “He confessed that it wasn’t his idea – originally it was Bette’s. The first time she saw the place she made the suggestion. She said it was just a throw-away line and it was him who thought it all through”
“Well regardless it is a fantastic business opportunity for you “
“If I need a lawyer “ Tina said
“You have four on hand at any time of the day or night. I will look at whatever you want me to. “ Emma smiled as Tina finished her scrambled eggs and ate the last of her toast
“How’s Bette doing with her course ?”
“How would you expect her to be doing ? Given she was Miss 1st place in High school and at Yale “
“But this is different to writing essays and taking exams “
Tina held her finger up “ You miss the point about my beloved – not only is she naturally brilliant at just about everything but she is obsessively hard working. She is acing all her papers and she is also excelling in the practical and physical stuff. By the end of these 18 months I expect her to be a crack marksman as well as an advanced driver. She is also learning some self defence stuff – oh and she’s the fittest of the whole class. It makes you sick “
“It makes you proud “ Emma said. Tina laughed
“Well yes – I am proud of her. Its not easy to always be expected to get 1st’s the whole time and she does feel the pressure. She just wants to be the best she can be”
“I meant what I said earlier in the week – I do want to make my peace with her”
“I know that – I think one of the reasons for this weekend is so that we can talk about stuff. I want her to be on my side with this café but I also have to make it clear that this is my decision and I am going to stand or fall on those calls”
Emma smiled “ Sounds like Kate trying to tell me to butt out of her cases when she came back to work“
“How did you take it ?”
“At first I sulked because all I was trying to do was help. What I didn’t see was that she needed to do it herself and if she needed help she would come to me “
“Did you resolve it ?”
“A few arguments and some cups thrown around the place but yes we did. I went too far but then she made me back off so far that she messed up a case because she didn’t take any advice – it’s a tough balancing exercise. You two are pretty strong young women. Its going to be something that you two do have to find your own pathway through”
“When we were putting the apartment together I got really ratty with her – only because she can do all these things that I cannot – like paint walls without getting 80% of the paint all over me. I even got emulsion on my pants “
“Well you have never done it before and she has – I am sure you can hold your own sweetheart “
“I can but I don’t like arguing with her – its not how we communicate and it doesn’t turn us on”
Emma laughed “Was that a dig at me ?”
“No – it was just the truth – we don’t . Bette is Rosie’s daughter in so many ways and Rosemary has always struck me as a peacemaker”
“Oh she was and still is. I am sure you and Bette will find a way “
“We want to find a way “ Tina said “ It means so much to us that we have been given another chance. I know what we could have and that is worth working really hard for”
“You two seem very grown up – you have both come a long way since you were hiding your relationship when you first met”
Tina laughed and looked at her watch “ Shit – I better move”
She stood up and picked up her plate and cup
“Leave them Tina – I have to load the dishwasher before I head out to do some retail therapy “
Tina smiled “This women’s only cruise mother “
Emma raised an eyebrow
“Yes “
“My trainee Criminal Investigating girlfriend has surmised that women only cruise is code for dyke only “
Emma laughed “Tell her its none of her damn business “
Tina laughed “Well good for you mom. Try not to come back with anyone younger than me”
“Go and meet Bette “ Emma said smiling. Tina put on her thick padded jacket and picked up her rucksack and her bag containing her hiking boots and a few other items.
“It makes me sound like Kate but here goes – ring or text me to tell me you arrived safely. Please keep warm and safe “
“No offence but you suck at that – she would have gone through my rucksack to make sure I had plenty of pairs of knickers as well as extra gloves and a woolly hat “
“And do you ?”
“I do”
Emma stood up and pulled an envelope from her robe pocket
“Here’s some spending money “
“Mom “
“You never know when you might need it – at the least buy some gas for the car – take it”
“Thanks – I will see you next week “
Tina hugged her mom “Thanks “
“Have a good time “
“We will – enjoy your shopping “
“I am going to seriously thrash my gold credit card “
“Enjoy yourself “
Tina kissed her mother again and hurried out of the apartment and downstairs.