Chapter 4

Bette hadn’t returned to her desk for more than 10 minutes before the door rang again.  This time she opted to let Nan answer it.

Moments later, a quick knock and Alice and Dana entered.  “Hiya.  Don’t blame Nan she tried to stop us.”  Al declared.  “We found ourselves in the neighborhood, at lunchtime, and decided to stop by.”

Bette grinned and greeted the two with a kiss to the cheek.  “Seguro.  You remembered I had my meeting with Tina and decided you wanted some gossip.”

“And a free lunch by the pool.”  Dana added.

Bette laughed heartily.  “Bueno.  Vamanos.”  She directed as she lead them to the kitchen.

“Nan, my friends are hungry.  Since this is a non-training day, what is the most decadent thing you can make us?”

“How about homemade pizza followed by brownies?”  she suggested.  Bette looked to Dana and Al.

“Hmmm pizza still has the four basic food groups.  Good woman, Nan.  I’m in.”

The three turned to Dana.  “Hey I’m easy.”

“Yes everyone knows it, yet you insist on staying in the closet.”  Al fired off.

Dana made a face.

“Nan, I’m just going to grab some drinks.  Al, you want something different than iced tea?”

“Nope just add a little gin.”  She answered.

Bette knew Al was serious, loving her afternoon toddy as she liked to refer to it and she reached into the cupboard to grab the bottle and followed the girls to the deck.

Once settled the girls wasted no time with the questions.  “Well, what did you think of her?”

Bette shook her head causing the girls to stare in surprise.  “You didn’t like her?”  Dana asked, her voice expressing disbelief.

Bette couldn’t carry and started to grin.  “Actually she starts in a couple of hours.”  She announced.

Dana grinned broadly and Al clapped her hands.  “Excellent.  This is going to be so great.  We love Tina.”

“I can imagine.  She seems like a lovely woman.  I’m surprised that she decided to give up her exciting and probably lucrative entertainment career for this though.”

Dana and Al looked at each other silently trying to determine how much to tell Bette.

“Did she tell you she had a daughter?”  Dana asked

“Yes, Is that why?”

“Partially.”  Al answered.  “Do you remember Kate Arden?”

“Um I think so, Wasn’t she the stunt car driver that died a while ago?”  Bette responded, wondering what this had to do with anything.

“She was Tina’s partner.  She died working in a sports special for another producer for whom Tina had no respect.  She didn’t like how the production and the stunt was set up and believed it was unsafe, created only to appeal to a baser audience.  Turns out she was right but ended up losing Kate in the process.”

“Dios.  I’m sorry to hear that.  What did she do then?” Bette asked.

Al shrugged and continued.  “She quit the business, decided to stay in the home she and Kate had owned and have the baby that she and Kate had planned.  She kind of went back to her roots with the tennis thing and the personal assistant is a very stress free kind of production – or at least that’s how she explains it.”

“Is she dating anyone now?” Bette asked.

“Not really, much to Al’s consternation.” Dana supplied.

“I’ve been trying to set her up for ages. It’s not right for someone like her to be off the market.”

Dana nodded in agreement.  “But I personally don’t think she’s done mourning.”

“So when does she get to meet Jody?” Dana asked and shot Al a quick look which wasn’t lost on Bette.  She was more than aware that her friends didn’t like him.

“She already did, as she was leaving.”

“Okay…” Al responded hoping for more info.

“Let’s just say it wasn’t one of Jody’s better moments.  But I did take him by surprise by announcing Tina was my new P.A.” she defended. 

“Whatever”  Al responded automatically Dana and Bette looked at her in surprise.

“Sorry Bette but he’s a big boy.  He knows good behavior from bad.”  Al sighed.  “I guess I’m just protective of her.”

The three squirmed for a moment before Dana couldn’t stand the awkwardness.  “Hey,  Bette, how’s that drop shot working for ya?”  Dana asked.

AL and Bette looked at each other and giggled.  “What?”  Dana asked in confusion, looking between the two. “I was serious.”

Their lunch time passed quickly and soon they were interrupted by Nan.

“Bette, Tina and her daughter are here.  Should I send them back?”