Bette squeezed Tinas hand as they walked up to the house. Tina smiled reassuringly at Bette as she reached out to knock on the door. Bette gave Tina the once over making sure she looked perfect. Tina was wearing a black suit with a baby blue sweater that made her eyes shine. Bette looked down at her own outfit to make sure she looked presentable as well. Her tan suit was pressed to perfection and her white button down was spotless. Bette held her breath waiting for the door to open and when it did she quickly pasted a huge smile on her face.

Daddy.

Theres my girl. Come in, come in.

Melvin Porter pulled his daughter in for a huge hug then held her at arms length to get a good look at her. After he was satisfied with what he saw he turned to Tina.

And who is this?

Daddy, this is Tina Kennard. My girlfriend.

A look of disapproval washed over Melvins face as he politely stuck out his hand. Tina shook it firmly and noticed how quickly he pulled it away.

Nice to meet you Ms. Kennard. Please come in and make yourselves at home.

Tina gave Bette a questioning look before following her and Melvin into the house. The house was gorgeous and very tastefully decorated in old-fashioned furniture. Tina looked around and could see what Bette meant about him being a proper old man. Bette and Tina took a seat on the sofa while Melvin sat in the chair adjacent to them. He looked at Bette with happiness and pride in his eyes and Tina could see Bette basking in his approval. Tina and Bette were at the house where Bette grew up and Tina suddenly felt very shy. It was by coincidence that she had business in Philadelphia and Bette said she would join her for the weekend so that she could introduce Tina to Melvin. Tina was a little reluctant at first but after Bette kept going on and on about her wonderful father Tina finally decided it would be okay. Now that she was sitting here she suddenly thought that might have been a bad decision.

So Bette, how are things?

Good Daddy. The gallery is doing well and Ive gotten a call from the head of the board at the California Art Center. I think they might want me to join them over there and it would be a huge step up for me.

Wonderful. Glad to hear my daughter is doing so well. So Ms. Kennard, what do you do?

Tina was a little taken aback by his properness and she suddenly felt like she was five years old. She gave Bette a look to see if maybe Bette had told him anything about her yet but from the looks of things she hadnt.

Well, um, Im a development executive for Alphaville. Its a subsidiary of Warner Brothers.

So your in the entertainment industry?

Yes.

Well that must be quite exciting for you.

It is.

Daddy, Tina is working on a huge project right now involving an independent film that just got nominated for an academy award.

I see. Congratulations Ms. Kennard.

Why does he keep calling me that? Thought Tina as she gave Melvin a small smile. She looked over at Bette again but all of Bettes attention was on her father.

So how are things going with you Daddy?

Theyre going fine. Mark just made partner and hes recently gotten engaged. I never understood why you didnt like him Bette.

I didnt like him because I dont like men Daddy, you know that.

I know but I think you two would have been perfect for each other. He went to Brown and then on to Yale law. He was just the type of person I thought you would end up with.

Tina was getting angry at Melvins obvious dismissal of their relationship and she didnt know when Bette was going to say anything to defend it.

Daddy, I dont care where he went to school. Im with Tina and that makes me happy.

Fine. I know better than to argue with my daughter when she has her mind set. So Ms. Kennard, tell me, how did you two meet?

Tina gulped as she thought about the story she would have to tell. She didnt feel all that comfortable telling Melvin that Bette was the reason she started dating women and she looked at Bette with help me written all over her face. Bette just sat there with a small smile on her face as she waited for Tina to explain to Melvin how they met each other.

Okay, well, one night I was invited to a party at Bettes gallery and thats where I met her.

Are you a big fan of art?

No, not really, but my boyfriend at the time was.

Boyfriend?

Yeah, its complicated.

I see. Well, should we get going to dinner? I made reservations for seven oclock.

Bette jumped up and continued talking with her father as they headed out to the car. Tina followed them in shock as she couldnt believe how submissive Bette became in his presence. Tina spent most of dinner listening to Bette and Melvin talk about God only knows what and trying to tell herself that this was just another side of Bette she never thought existed. Bette was always so strong and independent and all that seemed to crumble in the sight of her father. Tina looked at her watch and saw that it was almost nine. After dinner Bette invited Melvin to join her and Tina for drinks at the hotel where Tina was staying. Tina didnt want to spend any more time listening to them so she politely told them that she had a lot of work to do and she would be heading upstairs for the rest of the evening. Bette gave her a curious look but didnt object to her leaving them and she spent another hour with her father having drinks in the lounge. She dropped him off after she was done and headed back to the hotel. She went up to the room she was sharing with Tina and when she let herself in Tina was already in her pajamas lying in bed. The TV was on but Tina was just staring at it blankly. Bette walked over to her and sat down on the bed. She looked at Tina trying to figure out what was wrong but Tina wouldnt look at her. Bette reached out and gently touched Tinas leg and Tina finally turned and looked at her.

Have fun with your father?

Bette had never heard Tinas voice so cold or angry and she didnt know why Tina was being so harsh.

What is going on Tina? Whats wrong?

Whats wrong? Bette are you kidding me? Why did you even want me to meet him? He obviously doesnt care who I am so I dont get why you made such a big deal out of this.

Bette stood up and crossed her arms. She gave Tina a cold look before answering.

I made a big deal out of it Tina, because it is a big deal. I wanted my father to meet you what is so wrong with that?

Bette, I dont think he even realizes that were dating.

Tina he knows that we are.

Well he certainly didnt care.

Bette sighed in frustration and went to the bathroom to change. She reemerged a few minutes later and as after she hung up her clothes she turned to Tina and took a deep breath before continuing.

Did you not like him Tina?

Tina let out a sarcastic laugh as she sat up and turned the TV off.

Bette, did you see the way he treated me? I think he would have been happier if I wasnt there.

Thats not true Tina.

It isnt? He barely said two words to me tonight and when he did I felt like I was being interrogated. He is stubborn and old fashioned and you let him say whatever he wanted. He made me feel like a little kid Bette and I can see he makes you feel like one too.

Tina what is so wrong with the relationship I have with my father?

Nothing Bette. Its just that I dont get why you wanted me to meet him so badly when its obvious that he will not accept me as part of your life.

How can you say that? You dont know that.

Its pretty obvious Bette. Look at the way he kept going on and on about Mark and how you two would be perfect for each other. And Im sure he thinks Im some piece of work for leaving my boyfriend for you. Dont you see how close-minded he is?

Tina my father is not close minded. He may have his own opinions but last time I checked that wasnt a crime.

Well at least now I see where you get your stubbornness from.

Bette stared at Tina in disbelief. She couldnt believe Tina was being so critical of her father and she didnt like it. Bette felt her temper rising but she couldnt get the best of it no matter how hard she tried.

Well at least you met my family.

What is that supposed to mean?

Well Tina, weve been dating for what almost eleven months now and Ive never met your mother or your sister.

That is completely different and you know it Bette.

How? I know about them but Im sure they dont know about me. What are you ashamed of me Tina?

Ashamed? How could I be ashamed of someone who apparently walks on water according to your father.

They were yelling at each other at this point and Tina was not in the mood for this. She had a big meeting the next morning and she just wanted to go to sleep. She rolled over and turned the light next to the bed off. Bette walked over and grabbed her suitcase. She threw her clothes in and grabbed her suit that was hanging in the closet before heading for the door. Tina heard the commotion and rolled over angrily.

Bette what are you doing?

Im going downstairs to get another room.

Bette dont.

Tina was cut off by the sound of the door slamming. *****, she thought as she rolled back over and stared at the wall. Okay that was blown way out of proportion, she thought as she tried to fall asleep. She didnt know why Bette was being so defensive when it came to her father and she didnt know why Bette couldnt see what she was talking about. Tina finally fell asleep a little after three and when she woke up in the morning she felt terrible about what happened. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was only eight thirty and since she didnt have to be at the meeting until noon she decided to try and amend things with Bette. She called downstairs to the front desk but they told her that Bette had already checked out. Dammit Bette. What the *****. Tina felt the anger from the night before coming back and she jumped out of bed and into the shower. She didnt want to leave things the way they were but she had more important things to deal with right now. Tina sighed as she got dressed to go to the meeting and made a mental note to call Bette as soon as it was done. After all this time and THIS is what we fight about. Tina tried to clear her head and get ready for the meeting. She returned to the hotel after her four hour meeting and felt completely exhausted. She checked her messages but Bette still hadnt called. She must be really upset, thought Tina as she packed her stuff for her flight later that night. Tina didnt know how upset Bette was but she made a promise to herself to apologize when she got back to LA. Little did she know Bette was feeling guilty as well and was already making arrangements to surprise Tina when she got home.