“That may cause her to have more questions later”

“True. We may need to just check in with her later tonight, before bed”

“Yes, I think so” Bette said as she pulled a few of their linen napkins from the drawer. “This is all so shocking. I only met her father on a few occasions, but he never seemed like a violent person”

Tina had started washing her hands in the sink. “They never do Bette”

Bette didn’t say anything. There were moments her father had been a bit too stern in his handling things in their home. However, his behavior was something he didn’t seem to go out of his way to hide.

“I think I’m going to go take a shower now and get dressed. How about you?”

“I can’t take a shower with you with them here” Tina whispered, as if the girls were in the room.

“T….I didn’t mean that” Bette said chuckling. “……but even if you did it isn’t a big deal. The girls don’t have a window into our bedroom or bathroom”

“I know honey, I just don’t want to raise any questions, that’s all” Tina said as she started to pull a roasting pan from the cupboard. “Not to mention if Angie is feeling a bit more uncomfortable about all this otherness, there is no reason to go out of our way to have to add anything more to her plate when her friend is over”

Bette was a bit perplexed by Tina’s sense of discomfort. She wasn’t usually one to be overly concerned like this. If anything, it was Bette that was one to get a little wigged out over things like that. As a matter of fact, it had taken a long time for Bette to get comfortable having sex knowing that Angie’s comprehension of things happening around her was increasing more and more as she was getting older. For Angie, she was always a bit more advanced than her age, and Bette was certain that Angie was aware of their every move, particularly when it came to activities in the bedroom. It took some time for Tina to get her relaxed enough to resume their intimacy.

“I don’t think there would be questions, but I wasn’t referring to us having a shower together anyway. Before I go up, do you need anything first?” Bette asked.

“Nope. I think I am all set here. I am going to season these ribs and put them in the oven to cook. I might get a few of the other side dishes together too. By the time you are done with your shower, I might be all ready to go up and take mine” Tina looked over at Bette and smiled as she started to trim some small pieces of fat off the ribs.

“Okay, well if you need me to help, just leave it for me and I’ll do it when I get done”

“Thanks babe”

“Your welcome”

Bette started to turn away from Tina when her wife had stopped her.

“Oh wait….before I forget. Angie apologized to me when I went upstairs”

Bette smiled, in a way which confirmed Tina’s first thoughts that Bette must have had an insightful conversation with her..

“Thank you” Tina said in response to Bette’s expression.

“For what? I didn’t do a thing”

“Yes you did. The bizarre thing is when she apologized, I think she understood and really meant it. It completely caught me off guard.

Bette laughed.

“Yeah, gotta love those apologies that are really meant huh?”

Tina chuckled in return.

“You’re right. It made me feel much better that she understood, even a little”

“I imagine she does T. She is just a typical young girl who on Christmas is all energized and energized, hoping to play with what she got”

“I know. I also explained that Sara’s being here was not a result of us changing our minds about her punishment either”

Tina finished seasoning the ribs as she and Bette continued their conversation.

“Good….it’s good that she is seeing more and more that the way to solving anything is through open and honest communication. It is one of the best things we can teach her”

“I hope she sees that”

“I am sure she does T” Bette said as she leaned in and kissed Tina on the cheek. “I’m off to take a nice hot shower. I’ll be back down in a bit”

“Okay you”

****************
ANGIE’S ROOM

Sara had taken little time sharing what had been going on with Angelica, who wasn’t letting things sit too well with her after hearing about it all.

“Wow, so your Dad is a jerk sometimes huh?” Angie said as they were playing Uno on her bed.

“Yeah, he doesn’t really treat my mom very nice”

“Your mom seems nice, why isn’t he nice to her back?” Angie asked through a pout following Sara throwing down a “Skip” card.

“He just isn’t. He gets mad at me sometimes too” Sara said uncomfortably.

“Yeah, Momma T has been getting pretty pissed off with me as well”

“Really? Your mom is awesome…both of them”

“Not all the time, she has gotten mad at me lately” Angie said as she was thinking of a strategy for her next play.

“No, I mean my dad gets REALLLLLLY mad. The other day he got so angry because I left my shoes in the middle of the living room floor, that he opened the back slider and threw them outside into the brook that runs along the back of the house”

Angie’s eyes widened. She could never imagine that happening to her.

“OH MY GOD!!! Are you serious?”

“I am, he just gets really angry over small stuff. I feel bad for my mom. She tries so hard to make him happy, but it just doesn’t seem to work”

Angelica threw her second to last card down and called Uno before continuing her conversation.

“Do you think your mom is going to get rid of him?”

“I don’t know. Is it sad that I wouldn’t miss him?” Sara asked solemnly.

“I don’t think so. He doesn’t seem to be very nice to be around anyway”

“He doesn’t really pay much attention to me unless I screw up. He hasn’t gone to any of my dance recitals. He just doesn’t care very much” Sara said while she hoped to pick up a green colored card.

“I get upset because I think my mom’s get too bossy and into my life. I never really thought about how it might feel if they didn’t want to get involved at all”

“I would much rather my dad be showing more interest in my life, even if it was just a little bit. I know sometimes you get angry when you feel your mom’s are being too pushy and unfair, but at least it shows they care right?” Sara asked, causing Angie to really ponder that question. Before answering she was out of cards, winning the game.

“Good one Ange”

“I guess it does show they care. It’s just at the time I am so upset feeling they don’t understand ya know what I mean?”

“Yeah……..maybe they don’t get it, but at least they care” Sara said as she started to shuffle the cards for their next game.

Angelica gave that last sentence a lot of thought. It was true. Even if she did feel that her mom’s didn’t always understand her, she couldn’t deny the fact that both of them cared very much for her and she certainly felt their love and nurturing throughout her life.

****************
LATER

Bette and Tina were sitting on the couch relaxing and watching a little television while the ribs finished cooking. All the vegetable were done and kept on warm, leaving nothing more than waiting for the ribs to get done so they could all enjoy their meal. Angelica and Sara had remained in her room playing and talking most of the day.

“It smells great in here doesn’t it?” Bette asked while her arm remained draped around Tina.

“It sure does. Hat’s off to the cook huh?” Tina said as her head rested on Bette’s shoulder.

“That is part of what I love about the holiday’s” Bette admitted.

“What?”