Lunch was delicious as Tina had expected – Rosemary had put bowls of potatoes and vegetables out and everyone had tucked in – the food was lovely
“How is your new apartment Tina ?” Rosemary asked
“Its wonderful – its above dad’s new restaurant  – you should come and see it “
“Is your father looking forward to his career change ?” Melvin asked
“He is – it will be totally new and he’s having a ball”
“it’s a brave move – I hope he does well”
“I hope you will come and eat there “ Tina said
“Of course we will – have your mothers seen your apartment ?”
Bette glanced at her mother – she didn’t want any conversations that made Tina feel awkward.
“Kate has “ Tina said. Bette saw the look that her parents exchanged
“Can I have the last of the potatoes please ?” Bette asked deciding that more food was as good a distraction as any.
“Help yourself “ Melvin said smiling “Its good to have you both here – you are welcome here anytime you like “
“Thanks dad “
“Thank you “
“I know its tough for both of you – living on your own takes a new way of organising yourself – its hard to study as much as you are doing Bette and still eat right “ Rosemary said “ Anytime you need feeding up  – and that goes for both of you “
“We are planning to become unofficial food tasters for my dad – but thank you Rosemary – its very kind of both of you to welcome me “
The inference was obvious – Bette looked at her mother who shook her head at her father. Melvin got up and opened another bottle of wine and topped everyone’s glasses up
“A toast “ he said standing up with his glass “ To two beautiful young women who are making their ways in a scary world – we are delighted the two of you are together again and we hope you both get everything you wish for yourselves “ he gestured with his glass at the girls
“To Bette and Tina”
Bette grinned – nice one from her father – that nailed their colours to the Tina and Bette mast – there was no doubt that they were going to support them. Bette was going to say something but Tina spoke first
“Thank you Melvin – thank you Rosemary. It means so much to me that you are both being so cool about me being around again. My family have been trouble to you all and I cannot change the past – I wish it hadn’t happened but it did and all I want is to put the past behind me and make things work with Bette which – touch wood   – so far it has. We are getting on great and she’s been awesome helping me get my apartment in order. I know that I couldn’t have done it without her – thank you Bette. I know there is an elephant in the room – the person who started all this shit and still refuses to admit her culpability. I am sorry for all the grief she has caused everyone of us.”
“You don’t have anything to say sorry for “ Rosemary said
“No you don’t “ Melvin sighed “ We are guilty – we went along with what she wanted. I wish to God we hadn’t “
“I don’t blame anyone but Emma – I know how hard it is to make her see reason. But “ Tina sighed “ I just want you both to know that its different now – nothing on this earth is going to let anyone get hurt again. We all got hurt – hurt badly –  I hope this is the start of a much happier time for all of us – that’s all I wanted to say – thank you “
Bette took Tina’s hand and squeezed it – Tina smiled hoping that no one could see how emotional she was feeling. After a few minutes of eating Tina got up to go to the bathroom. When she emerged she went to the kitchen to get some water to drink. She had been standing composing herself for a few minutes when Rosemary came in.
“Hello “ Tina said
“Are you okay ?”
Tina nodded “Yes “
“You didn’t have to make the speech that you did but thank you for doing it all the same. I think it did have to be said – we all seem to be dodging the elephant in the room as you said “
“She is incapable of seeing that she is in the wrong about Bette and I hate that”
“Its not your fault sweetheart “
Tina exhaled “I know – but do you ever find yourself saying sorry for things that you are not responsible for ?”
“All the time “ Rosemary smiled
“Well that’s how I feel about her – she is just looming in the background “
“Its not easy for you and Bette “
“I know how Bette feels about her and the last thing that I want is for them to get into some huge fight because of me. I know how Bette feels about my mother – she tries to hide it but it comes through “
“She’s never hidden her feelings about Emma – or anyone else she considers responsible for what happened – and that included us for a long time”
“That was wrong of her “
Rosemary shrugged “ She was lashing out because she was so hurt and it was awful to see your daughter in such pain and digging deeper and deeper holes to bury it away. We just held onto the hope that she would stop suffering and stop hurting everyone who wanted to help her”
“Its better now though ?”
Rosemary nodded “It is – she’s made her peace with her father which means so much to him and me – things are getting better for us”
“I think it will be a long time before things are better for my family “
Rosemary went to the cooker, took an oven glove from a hook and opened the door and removed a apple pie that smelt heavenly. Just the smell made Tina feel calmer, Rosemary put it on the kitchen table and regarded Tina
“Emma may be wildly misguided on the two of you – and I am offended that she doesn’t think my daughter is good enough for you but I also know her – there is some logic behind her attitude. Now it might be invisible to you, Kate and everyone else but Emma will have a logical reason”
“I think its because she cannot admit that she was wrong 4 years ago”
“Do you ?”
“Don’t you ?”
Rosemary paused “ I know that you don’t have a very good opinion of Emma at the moment Tina but there is a reason behind all of this – maybe its one that none of us realise at the moment – but there is some weird logic behind all of this – the problem is that by the time Emma designs to share it with you and Kate it might be too late”