Chapter 3

Tina sat in her car, head bent forward on the steering wheel. What to do, is this some type of bad joke that will never fuck off and let me get on with my life ? We are OVER, so OVER. Bette has been away for 18 months, anything could have happened, she almost certainly had other lovers, she could have another partner. Wait in our house, another woman ? Thoughts ran wildly through Tina's head. For Christ sake, I'm not even 100% sure it is her in there. For the fourth time she got out the car, furious with Bette for reappearing with no warning and being in their house. Tina made her way to the front lawn. She stopped in her tracks, Bette would never do that, would she, another woman in our house. Dejected but knowing the answer she made her way back to the car. Tina would wait for Bette to come to her. The last thing Tina needed was an ugly confrontation with her ex wife, who apparently had no desire to keep in contact. Anyway how was she going to tell Bette about their daughter and would Bette care ? Tina took a deep breath and drove home. If only I had known last Sunday when I went to the house, she thought, I would have spent more time, I would have, what would I have done, there is nothing to do.

Bette had been sitting on the couch, having a sparkling water, looking at some of her photos when she heard the car pull up. She thought it was Kit and called out the door was unlocked. Kit never came through the door. Not to worry thought Bette, an early night will me good.

Bette's Sunday Morning

I rise early and go make a coffee. I grab a quick shower and wait for Kit to come by. Kit arrives and we waste no time, I am looking forward to seeing everyone. We arrive a few minutes earlier than usual, so no one is here yet. I am in my heart disappointed but in my head I know it means nothing. Shane arrives and we fall easily into conversation. She didn't tell the others I was here. Let them be surprised in the words of Yoda. Alice and Dana come through the door bantering and giggling, they both look well. They head to the counter and order coffee. They make their way to the table. Alice is the first to see me, she runs and jumps into my lap, as you do when you are a child.

Alice : "Porter, Porter, oh my God Porter" She playfully slaps me, "when did you get here, why didn't you tell us you were coming home..Christ Porter, you look, ah relaxed, is everything OK ?"

Bette : I embrace her, and tell her it is good to see her too but she needs to get off my lap so I can say Hi to Dana, who is hanging back a bit but seems pleased to see me. At least for the minute, all seems forgiven. One thing I have learnt is everything in good time. We eat and laugh and catch up and make plans for the week. No one says it but I can tell they were expecting Tina. Alice looks at Shane with the "of all the breakfasts to miss" look and Shane shrugs her shoulders. Bitterly disappointed at not seeing Tina I get quiet,  enough that it becomes noticeable. I decide to take charge of the moment, there is some old Bette in there.

Bette : "Listen you guys, I am back for good". The girls applaud and whistle. "But there is something I need to say to you all" Deathly silence.

Alice is the one to speak for all of them : "Bette, you don't need to say anything." More like Alice is hoping I won't say anything.

Bette : "Alice, all of you, I do need to say this, please bear with me. And then it is said and out the way, agreed ?" Heads nod. "Ok, then. I think we all know I was hoping Tina would be here this morning and it is true I am disappointed she is not but we are no longer together, we all know that right ?" Bette looks around the table, each of them acknowledge it reluctantly. "She doesn't know I am here, so it's not deliberate OK ?" I don't want you guys to be on tender hooks about this stuff. Shane and Kit, thankyou for all your support." Shane nods and Kit smiles. "Alice, I am sorry we fought, it's over now." Alice bites her lip, I'm sorry to Porter, as she looks down. And Dana "I know this has been hard for you but just go on being both our friends." "It's between Tina and me now ok, we will sort it out and I am OK with it."

We had another coffee and caught up on each others lives. Then the time came.

Alice : "Bette, I love you and I'm so glad you are back." She hugged me again. Alice was the first to leave and it didn't take a genius to work out where she was headed.

Bette : "Say hi to her Alice." Lame but all I could think of.

Tina's morning

I should have gone to the Planet but I couldn't. I wasn't ready, she appeared out of nowhere. I hardly slept. A knock at the door, Alice. Thankgod.

Tina : "Hi Alice"

Alice : "Hey yourself, where were you this morning ?"

Tina : "Alice, I know. I know she is here" I just blurt it out.

Alice : "Fuck, how do you know, she doesn't know you know."

Tina : "forget about how I know Alice, does she know about our daughter ?"

Alice : "if she does she isn't saying Tee"

Tina : "FUCK HER, HOW COULD SHE DO THIS ?" Waving my arms around, just appear out of nowhere ? Didn't she call anyone ?

Alice : "Nope"

Tina : "Is she, you know, single ?"

Alice : she does care "What do you care Tee, right ? But yeah, again if there is someone she didn't say. Look Tina I know you have a million questions, don't you think you best ask her and tell her about Laurel before someone else does ?"

In the afternoon I buy a puppy, Kit comes with me. I know it seems so out of character but maybe I have softened and I need to company. I start to think about getting a job, getting my career back on track, about settling up the finances. I ask Kit for Tina's phone number and where she lives, it seems unnatural not to know. Kit gives me the phone number and says I better call first, it's been awhile not just pop around there unannounced. So there is someone else then.