Coming up for air – part five

When Kit knocked on Bette’s front door for her second visit that weekend, she immediately sensed that something had changed. She’d hoped that their conversation the day before could be some kind of breakthrough for Bette. But she had been disappointed too many times to get all excited.

The house actually smelled like food. Kit couldn’t remember that happening since Tina was a resident of this house. The sound of Cole Porter flowed towards Kit as Bette opened the door. She did look better.
“Hey, baby sis,” Kit said with a big smile on her face.
“Hi Kit. Come in.”
They went into the kitchen. Bette put the finishing touches on a salad. Kit peeped through the oven door and saw a homemade quiche baking.
“Who are you and what have you done to my sister?” Kit teased.
“It’s just food, Kit. I have cooked before, you know,” Bette said, trying to hide that Kit’s words made her feel proud of what she had produced.
“Yes, to some people it might be just food. But Bette, come on, you have cooked for me maybe five times in your entire life, so to me it’s not just food. I love that I get to share this with you.”
Kit was rewarded for her words with a smile from Bette.
“So what have you been up to since I saw you last?” Kit asked, feeling almost giddy at the progress Bette had made since Saturday morning.
“Working mostly… at least today. Last night I hung out with Alice and Shane.”
“Really – can I just repeat my question? Who are you and what have you done to my sister?” Kit laughed.
Bette decided that the salad was done and turned around to look at Kit, who sat on the counter behind her.
“I found out about Tina last night, Kit.”
Kit nearly choked on the sip of water she just took. “…You did? I mean… you did?” Kit asked in a stifled voice.
“Look Kit, I know you were trying to protect me and I appreciate that. After we talked yesterday I knew something was up. I kind of tricked Alice into telling me… it’s not something I’m proud of, but now I know.”
“..and you’re fine with it?” Kit was dumbfounded.
The oven timer let out a buzzing sound telling them the food was done. They sat down to eat.
“No, I’m nowhere near fine about the fact that Tina is living with someone… and a guy no less. But at the same time I feel relieved somehow. I don’t know… I’ve been trying to forget, Kit. That has been my strategy to cope with loosing Tina. It doesn’t work – my strategy. I can’t forget… so I need to do something else.”
“I agree… have you come up with a different approach? And by the way, the food is great, Bette. You have been holding out on me with these cooking skills,” Kit laughed.
Bette smiled at her sister.
“Thanks.” Bette reclined in her chair thinking about how she could answer Kit’s question.
“I think… I think I need to see Tina. I have to look her in the eyes and see that she has found happiness again. I have to see it with my own eyes. I know that I’ll be able to tell instantly whether this is what she wants or not. If she’s happy… maybe then I can move on too. And if she’s not…”
“Then what?”
“Then I’m gonna make her talk to me… and I’m going to listen like I’ve never listened before. And then hopefully… maybe, just maybe, she’ll listen to me too.”
Kit noticed that Bette had tears in her eyes. “Do you know what you’ll say, if she’ll listen?”
“I’ll tell her that no matter what she does, and who she does it with, she’ll always and forever be the love of my life,” Bette whispered, quickly wiping away a tear that had escaped her eye.
Kit reached across the table and took Bette’s hand. “I hope she has the courage to hear that, Bette.”
“So do I… so do I, Kit,” Bette said smiling and feeling sad all at once.