Love Revisited – Coming Home Part 19


Previously

And, Bette, do I sense a bit of disappointment from your silence?

I guess so, Peggy, only because of what Helena did and attempted to do to Tina. But I know this is Tinas decision to make and I will abide by it. We will move on from here.

All right. Bette and Tina, if you do not hear from me, you will know all is proceeding well. Im sure, Bette, I will see you from time to time as my business will bring me to LA often.

I always enjoy seeing you, Peggy. I surely hope the next time will be under better circumstances.

Im sure it will be.

Oh, Peggy, one quick question.

Yes.

Is Helena still in New York with you? Bette asked.

I saw her early yesterday morning. She went off to make the arrangements for therapy to begin next week. So I would say, yes, shes here – as far as I know



Bette and Tina both hung up the phones. Bette went to sit next to Tina on the couch.

T, do you feel comfortable with the decision you made?

Yeah, I do. I know you probably would have liked me to do otherwise, but I dont really see the sense in pressing criminal charges.

You are a good soul, Tina Kennard. She does not deserve your kindness. I only hope she does complete the therapy. She certainly was acting five short of a six pack.

She was totally out of control.

T, you have to promise me though if she shows up again, lays one finger on you, even attempts to lay one finger on you, that youll get some kind of restraining order or protective order invoked. I dont want to wind up in jail, babe, but I dont know that I can be responsible for my actions if she ever tries to hurt you again.

I understand and I promise you this is a one time shot at clemency from me to Helena Peabody, Tina said.

Okay, then lets put that to sleep. I dont want to waste any more of our time with the words Helena Peabody in the air. I cant stand the *****—

Bette, I know how you feel about her, k? I dont want to talk about her either. When I told the girls we both made mistakes, I counted her as one of mine. Come on; let me wrap you up for the shower.

Why dont you give the girls a call and see if anyone wants to join us for movies and popcorn tonight. Tell them, pizza is on us, too. Its Friday night though so I dont know if theyre going to be around.

Tina got Bette sufficiently sealed for the shower. Go ahead now, get in there and shower before you go out. You have the aroma of being freshly fucked about you.

Bette leaned in and put her forehead on Tinas and rubbed noses with her. Umm, you did me good, baby.

Yeah, well, I see enough women ogling you. Youre walking ***** now, baby – you dont need the addition of anything extra. Now, get in there and let me call the girls.

~~

Bette got into the shower and was just giddy. Yes! My babys coming home! My baby with our baby! Oh, my god, a babyits really going to be here in three weeks. What if Im not a good motherwhat ifSTOP IT!!! Okay, T said Ill be a terrific momokay, thats it, stop fretting about it..okayYES! Tina is coming home!!

She was singing god knows what.just singing and smiling. She felt like Ebenezer Scrooge when he woke up after the ghosts had visited him. They had shown him what his future would be if he didnt change and when he woke, he figuratively saw the light of day and literally was a changed person. Well, Ebenezer, I have seen the light, too, babycakes. YESSIREE!! I am a changed and changing woman. YESSIREE, I done seen the light and learned my lessons wellYAHA!

The shower door opened. Whats going on in here? You sound like youre auditioning for a very bad play, Tina laughed. Bette grabbed Tina by the back of the head and brought her mouth to hers. Tina pulled back. Well, you are just one happy camper? Why are you so giddy?

You, T, just you. Tina laughed at just how adorable and childlike Bette appeared. It was good seeing her feel this this. So good for the both of them to be laughing – together in the same room and with each other. It had been a long time coming.
Bette finished up, threw on some clothes and headed out to the living room. Okay, T, Im off. How many pizzas should I pick up? Did you reach the girls?

Yep, theyll be over except Jenny. She already had plans. So maybe two pizzas. Do you have some popcorn here?

Sure do. I stocked up on it while you were gone. Fast and easy dinner some nights.

Oh, god, Bette, no wonder you lost weight.

T, did you want to pick up a change of clothes or anything?

Im okay, babe. You probably didnt notice, but I was presumptuous also and put a change of clothes in a bag before we left my apartment. Its in the car. What do you say to stopping over the apartment tomorrow and bringing a bit more of my clothes over here?

YES! MY T IS COMING HOME!! Bette screamed in her thoughts. Then quietly out loud, Sure, T, that sounds great. Cya. Be back in a jiff. Bette kissed Tina on the forehead and then was out the door.

~ ~ ~

Tina closed the door and walked back to the couch. Whew! I feel so tired. Ummcouldnt have been those multiple orgasms now, could it? And, oh by the way, being a little over 8 months pregnant, too?

She sat on the couch, put her feet up, her head back and closed her eyes. In what seemed like no time at all, the doorbell rang. Must be the girls. Tina got up and went to the door. Itll be good to see them. This will be a fun night.

Tina opened the door fully expecting Alices face and some smart remark to greet her. Instead there were two policemen standing there. Tinas stomach starting doing flip-flops and she didnt know why.

Are you – the policeman looked down at a piece of paper, Tina Kennard?

Tina hackles rose from fear – she didnt like this at all. Yes, I am. Whats the problem, Officer?

The speaking officer saw the obvious state of pregnancy this woman was in. Why dont you take a seat, Ms. Kennard. Is it all right if we come in and speak to you?

Tell me right now and right here what you need to tell me.

Theres been an accident, Ms. Kennard. We found your name as emergency contact in the wallet of again, the officer looked at a piece of paper, a Ms. Elizabeth Porter.

Panic was beginning to overtake Tina. She could feel herself shaking. Wh – Where is she?

It appears a car ran a red light at a high rate of speed, Ms. Kennard. Im sorry, Ms. Porter did not survive –

NOOOOOOOOO!! NO!! NOT BETTE!! NO!! Tina was screaming, just screaming, and sobbing, any words escaping her mouth were now incoherent. The officers saw her eyes roll back and knew she was about to faint. They caught her on the way down and got her over to the couch.

Just then Alice, Dana, Shane and Carmen came running in the door. They saw the police car in the driveway with its lights still flashing and thought something must have happened with Tina. They were all yelling in unison, Whats the matter? Tina, are you all right? Whats going on?

One of the officers turned around and spoke to them. Who are you women?

Alice and Shane answered, Were Tina and Bettes family!! Whats going on here? What happened? Please, what happened!!

There was a fatal accident and Ms. Porter was the victim. She did not survive –

Shane fell to her knees with Carmen alongside her, Dana covered her face, Alice stood in shock. No, they didnt just hear what they heard – NO!! THEY DIDNT!! OH MY GOD, THIS IS NOT HAPPENING!

The four of them got over to the couch to Tina. They told the officers to leave whatever information or phone numbers they needed. They would take care of Tina and whatever else needed to be done. The officers left the information on the dining room table and left.

Tina was obviously in emotional shock. Her sobs were uncontrollable. She looked from face to face at the girls. They were all hovered over her as the wings of a mother bird protecting her young from harm – except the harm had already been committed here.

Why? Why? Why? Why? was all Tina could say. There was nothing the girls could say, nothing at all. After all these two had been through, to have found their way back to each other and to be now torn asunderit was too much for them to take in. They were in shock also. Bette gone? It cant be – it cant be. They could not begin to imagine how Tina was feeling. Whywhy? was the only word discernible through Tinas tears. And then Tina let out such wail of sorrow, it reverberated through the bodies of the women standing around her, through the walls of their home, out the still open front door and into the air, carrying with it her broken heart and the broken hearts of her family of friends.






~ ~ ~

Tina! Tina! T, wake up, babyyoure having a bad dreamwake up

Tina opened her eyes and looked right into the dark chocolate eyes of her Bette. T, youre crying, baby. Talk to me, Im here. Its okay, Im here.

Tina slowly reached her hands out and held Bettes face. Kept staring at her as if it was the first time she had seen her, memorizing all her beauty, all that she was. And then softly said, Please, baby, have them deliver the pizza next time, okay?


TBC