Chapter 8

“Bette would it be okay if I took Alice and Ashley with me to the concert?”

Dana had called Bette to ask her. Ashley had promised that of no funny business so she agreed. She figured that concert with Dana and Alice was better than no concert at all. The whole thing was worked out. They’d get her mother a bottle of champagne had she said no this time, and she was sure to cave with a good bottle of her favorite. Ashley smiled to herself Bette Porter may act like a hard ass, but the truth was was that she was a big ol’ softy when it came to those she loved.

“Dana I don’t know.”

“Bette I heard that you said you wouldn’t let her go alone with Ayden, but if Al and I are there she won’t be alone.”

“Yah, but Alice is just another one of them and it’s not that I don’t trust her, it’s- it’s… Okay I don’t trust her.”

“Well I won’t tell her you said that if you let us take her.”

Bette smiled. Her friends were hard compromisers.

“Alright fine, but I want her home right after the concert. Okay?”

“Well, she could stay here so she doesn’t wake you up.”

“Dana I just want to know how it went. I am not going to be able to take my baby to her first concert.”

Bette had a soft, maternal tone, but it was sad.

“Bette, you just reminded me so much of Tee.”

“Daaana. Please don’t go there. That is long and buried. I don’t want to bring it back up.”

It was inevitable. Bette started reminiscing about Tina and hers last night together. The horrible things that had happened. The love making in tears. Her waking up to an empty bed. And worse of all her heart had been taken to New York and she hadn’t known it for 6 years afterwards. It killed her every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month of every year. She would replay the events leading up to the affair to figure out the exact moment of which she could have stopped herself, but it drove her insane. After 4 years of waiting around for Tina to come back and when she didn’t she got her shit together and adopted Ashley. It was the best move of her life. She was now able to care for someone she thought would never leave her, but the way Ashley had been acting lately it was looking otherwise and Bette Porter wondered if everyone she loved would just leave her sooner or later. Her mother, her father, her Tee, and now her daughter. Suddenly Bette heard Dana clear her throat ripping her from her thoughts.

“I’m sorry what did you say?”

“I saiiiid I really appreciate you letting us take Ash, but now I’m going to have to find a sitter for Jack.”

“Oh don’t worry about it. I’ll take him and you take Ash.”

“I don’t know Bette, I don’t want you to think your obligated to do it.”

“I know I’m not, but I’d love to take care of my little nephew.”

“Alright.”

“Hey Dane, I’ve gotta go. I’ve got an artist here and this is my last show before I retire and I really want him so wish me luck.”

“Luck.”

“Thanks Dana, and tell Al I said thank you too.”

“Will do.”

“Bye”

“Byeee.”