You can leave her with me, Bette, I volunteered.


She had been pacing in front of the couch with on hand on her hip and the other holding the phone. Her search for a babysitter had reached a dead end. Bette had been notified on short notice that she needed to visit an artist that the previous CAC director had been courting. And since she was the new director, it was her duty to take over.

You could? she questioned looking at me.

I could tell that she was seriously thinking about leaving Evan with me.

You could, she said again with more conviction.
Yeah, I smiled.
You could?

Back to questioning.

You gotta trust me, babe. Were getting married, starting a life together. I will be alone with Evan at some point, I rationed.

I could see the wheels turning in her head, thinking of someone else to call.

Ill call Kit.
Cant. Went to Washington to visit David, remember?
Yeah, I forgot.
And Alice is to immature. And Dana is to terrified of Evan. And Shane… well, I love Shane but I wouldnt leave my goldfish with Shane, I summarized.

And now she was stuck. I had shot down all her options.

Okay, you can keep Evan, she relented, But there are a few rules.

Oh goodness.

Rule one… Only four hours of television a day. No matter how much she begs, cries or gives you the big wet dog eye look, only four hours a day.

I laughed.

You mean the same look you give me when you want something?
The same one.
Theres a problem with that, Bette. I cant resist when you do it. How am I gonna be able to resist a little girl?
Be strong. Very strong.

Laughter shared between us.

Rule Two… not really a rule but more like a warning… she cant eat anything with onions in it, on it or around it. Allergic.
Gotcha.
And…and…

It seemed that she was stalling, trying to think of someone else.

Shell be okay. Dont worry. Ill guard her with my life, I said rubbing he back hoping to soothe her conscience.

She looked at me in the eyes and let out a huge breath. Her eyes suddenly become big and innocent. Childlike almost.

Dont worry, I repeated trying to convince myself more than Bette.

Dont worry.


*****