Chrissy turned on the bag of potting soil to look at Lizzy… “Hey Lizzy!”  She quickly got up from the bag and ran to Lizzy.  They met in a big hug. 

As Tina watched this interaction between Chrissy and Lizzy, her mind began to wander again… Oh God, look at them.  They are so close already.  They have only known each other for a short time but I have never seen Lizzy this close with anyone before.  As she continued to watch them, she was overcome with a feeling…she exhaled deeply… Oh God…it can’t be…can it?  No, no it can’t be…but…but they just look so alike.  I don’t know if it is their skin color…I mean, Chrissy looks amazingly like Bette, but there is just something about them…something that links them together…God…could they really be sisters?  As she contemplated the implications of this more-than-likely revelation, Tina absentmindedly rested her forehead in the palms of her hands. 

Tina was pulled from her thoughts with the sound of Lizzy’s voice… “Hey mom… me and Chrissy are going to go up to my bedroom…ok?”

“Ok…be good…”

Lizzy laughed… “We will mom…don’t worry.”

Lizzy and Chrissy scurried off to Lizzy’s bedroom to discuss the news that Chrissy had come across.  Tina slowly picked up the bag of potting soil and returned to the backyard.  She returned to her seat on the lounger and attempted to digest all that she had heard from Chrissy. 

This is just getting weirder and weirder. I thought that it was crazy, moving into my old neighborhood.  Now I find out that, not only does Bette still live here, but that she has a 10 year old daughter.  And not only does she have a daughter, but her daughter is best friends with my daughter and they are most likely half-sisters…Tina tried to regulate her breathing…she could not have a panic attack.  She hadn’t had one in such a long time… OK Tina…just breathe.  It will be alright…God, this situation would give anyone a headache…not to mention the complicated past that Bette and I have.  Now, there is no doubt that I will be seeing her.  I mean, her daughter is best friends with my daughter…eventually, they will find out that they are sisters…so does that make Chrissy my daughter too?  Tina smiled at this thought… I don’t know…but she sure is a sweet girl.  That gives reference to Bette’s parenting style. 

Wow…Bette must be an amazing mother.  I always thought she would be, even if Bette doubted her own skills in that department.  I knew the sweet and tender side of her would emerge to take care of our child.  This shows in Chrissy, how she smiles, her delightful demeanor, and her courtesy and respect. 

I can’t believe what Chrissy said…about Bette being lax about her work.  That was always such a huge problem with us.  Her work tore us apart in the end.  I realize that she cheated which really sucked but before that, we were already doomed. 

But, now Bette is responsible, it sounds like she realized that family and friends are what matter in this life and that work comes second to the love of a family. 

I am in awe about all the happenings in the old gang.  It is so weird that Dana and Alice are together but, thinking about it, that is just so believable.  They are two goofballs who belong together.  And to think they have a child…a son…I wonder who the birth mother was…I bet it was Alice.  Dana was probably too worried about her body messing with her tennis career.  I bet they are a beautiful family. 

And Shane…my oh my how the times have changed.  I remember when Shane was such a player.  She would spend nights with random women.  It was like she didn’t have a care in the world.  No family to support.  She was so free and full of life.  But, I always knew that something was missing.  It was like all her messing around was a cover for some deep seeded sadness or something.  I love Shane so much.  She seemed so much older than she actually was.  I mean, relationship wise, she was stunted and immature, but she really did understand people and what they go through.  I think her life on the streets and in foster homes really impacted her.  I think it caused her to become slightly introverted and unwilling to share herself with others.  I am glad that she has found a partner….Carmen… I think that is what Chrissy called her.  I am glad for that. 

And it sounds like Kit is happy too…a man named Mike.  I wonder how long they have been together?  Must be long enough that Chrissy is calling him Uncle Mike….

Ok…now here is the crazy part…she named her daughter Chrissy….well, I assume it is actually Christina…hello….where did that come from?  I guess the same place where me naming Lizzy Elizabeth came from…Oh God…this is absolutely crazy. 

Tina smiled… She is single…I don’t know why, but for some reason, that surprises me.  Bette is beautiful.  She isn’t the type of woman who would have a hard time getting a woman.  God, I shouldn’t even be thinking about her availability.  I haven’t even seen her yet…I don’t even know how I will react to her.  There are so many unknowns…God, I hate being in the dark. 

So, that woman that I saw going into the house last night…That was probably Chrissy’s nanny.  Why is this news making me feel so happy inside?  I think I may be in trouble….

Ok, enough thinking about Bette, I’ll go get some snacks for the girls. 

Meanwhile, in Lizzy’s bedroom…

“Lizzy, your room is awesome!”

“Thanks, I think Annie set it up for me…although this is all the same furniture I had back in New York.”

“It looks great!”

“So…what was the big emergency?”

“Oh, that sorry…You have to see this.”  Chrissy hastily set her bag on Lizzy’s bag and retrieved the photograph that she stole from Alice’s… “Look what I found…”

Lizzy was dumbfounded Just like Chrissy, she could not believe her eyes… “That’s my mom…”

“And that’s my mom…”

“God, they look so happy.”

“I know, don’t they?  Your mom knew I was a Porter from the second she laid eyes on me.  It was kinda weird.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know.  She got this misty look to her eyes, and it was like she lost the strength in her legs because she fell back on to the bag of potting soil she had been carrying.  It was like she knew exactly who I was.”

“That is strange.”

“I know, so I played dumb with her and acted like I didn’t knew she knew my mom…cause I already did cause I saw this picture…I wanted to get any information out of her that I could.”

“Oh, good idea…did she tell you anything interesting?”

“Not really, just that she knows all my aunts…it seems like she knows them pretty well because she understood my Aunt Alice’s antics and how my Aunt Shane having a baby is absolutely mindboggeling.”

“I don’t understand…my mom never talked about living in California.  I guess I always assumed she lived in New York…hmm….”

“I don’t know, but something must have happened…we have to figure out what it is.”

Before they could continue their conversation they heard a knock on the door… “Hey girls, can I come in.”

Lizzy answered… “Yea mom…” As Chrissy shoved the picture back into her messenger bag…

“Hello again Ms. Kennard.”

“Oh Chrissy, please call me Tina.”