ONE AND ONLY

CHAPTER 76

“So what’s at 9th street ?”  Tina asked as they were sitting on the underground train
“I have no idea but I am sure dad has something arranged”
“How do you think he is doing ?”
“Well I got a text from mom this morning while you were in the shower and they had enjoyed themselves at the theatre – dad can be a smooth operator when he wants to “
“He’s always been really nice to me”
“I think it does bother him that you don’t see him as being the sweetheart that all your family have been to me “
“I have not seen him since you and I came out “
“I wish I had just told him – I wish I had the courage to just tell him “
“You tell me that its impossible to turn back time  – you  know that you didn’t do it out of spite. You didn’t tell him because you were trying to protect yourself – and your mom and your father as well. Our relationship is different because I have double the number of parents of normal kids. You have faced out four parents – including my scary as hell mother. I am sure I am big enough to be okay with your dad.”
“He seems to be the only person who has suffered from us getting together. I want to make it up to him “
“Maybe you should just let him make it up to you – it will be good to wander around Greenwich village. I have always wanted to live there – its such a nice area”
The train halted at the 9th street station and Bette and Tina quickly got off the train and made their way to street level. They were soon looking in the windows of food markets and Bette was reading the menu of Thai restaurant that was close by the subway station
“Hello there “ Tina turned to see Melvin walking towards them. He had obviously been wandering around the village for some time because he was carrying a couple of carrier bags. Tina smiled at him – she wanted this to go well for Bette’s sake and because she felt guilty that she had been a part of the conspiracy that had kept the news from him. He was wearing black cords and a white shirt – he certainly looked much less formal than Tina had ever seen him before. She hoped this was going to go well for Bette’s sake as well as everyone else’s.
Bette had been miles away working out if she could have a try at making some of the Thai dishes she was reading the names of when she heard her fathers voice. She turned and looked at him and he grinned at her
“Hello darling “ he said smiling at her.
Bette walked across and hugged him – he held her tight and returned the hug
“Are you having fun staying with Tina ?” he asked
“Yeah – but I would like to come home if that’s okay “
“Of course it is – the apartment is empty without you in it sweetie – I am sure you can have Tina round whenever you want “
“Do you mean that ?” Bette eased away and looked at him
“Of course – you are a grown up now and I want you to be happy”
“I am happy – I will be happier if I know that you and mom have made up “
“We have – we have had a good few days and she rang me this morning to tell me that its high  time we had a holiday “
“A holiday would be good “
He didn’t say that it would be a holiday without their daughter – he would let Emma and Kate tell the girls what they had planned. Rosemary had told him what Emma had suggested and he was happy to go along with it – it would be a nice throw back to just be with Rosemary . Melvin looked at Tina who was looking so much like Emma when they had first all met. She was wearing smart navy blue trousers and a black blouse which showed off how fair skinned she was and how blonde her hair was.
“Hello Tina “
“Hi “ she smiled
“I hope the two of you are hungry “ he said – he did  feel that he should say something to Tina but he had been wrestling with what sort of speech would be appropriate. He had been debating this for several days and in the end while he had been sitting outside a café in Greenwich he had called his wife and put the matter to her. Her reply had made him smile and showed him that they had moved on from the problems they had been enduring . Rosemary had said that if he wanted to make a speech he should but what was more important was that he put Tina and Bette at ease. So he had decided not to say anything immediately – just to wait  to see how the conversation went.
“We are – we are always hungry “
“Good – come on then “
“Where are we going ?”
“You will see   – come on  – this way “
Bette was nervous and so was Melvin  – Tina could see how they were both worried in case this meeting went wrong. She didn’t think it would unless  it turned out that Bette’s father couldn’t deal with her being gay and being gay with her – the daughter of ex friends. But was that still true ? Maybe in time the four ex college friends would be on very good terms and maybe they would all be able to have meals – all six parents plus the two girls – that would be just amazing – but it would probably take some time. Tina walked along side Bette who was talking to her father and also looking at Tina.
Bette reached out her hand and took Tina’s hand – Tina squeezed her hand and smiled. Tina looked at Melvin who smiled at her and seemed to be aware that this was a nervous situation for everyone. They walked and chatted for five minutes until Melvin stopped and held out his hand to the building behind him
“Welcome to Jekyll and Hyde restaurant in New York  – this is a great place and you two are just going to love it “
Tina had never even heard of this place and she was truly amazed just looking at the front of it. There were three skeletons beside the frontage of the restaurant  – all dressed up and looking very funny.
Bette started to laugh “ Wow – this is amazing dad “
“And I have a table for three  – I intend to win the two of you round by feeding you very well – it’s a shame you are not old enough to drink because we could have a very drunken afternoon in here. I will settle for feeding the two of you up – come on in”
He beamed at how pleased and impressed both girls looked. He knew that the shocks and surprises had just begun.
And he was right – just inside the entrance were more skeletons dressed up and trying to look as normal as skeletons could ever do. A “ zombie “ was standing behind the reception desk and gave them a beaming smile when he looked up
“Good afternoon”
“I have a table booked- Melvin Porter – this is my daughter and her partner”
The “zombie “ bowed politely at the girls
“Welcome – would you like to step inside “
He showed them to their table which was in what looked like a cellar – there were more skeletons, rats – severed limbs – Tina thought it was the greatest place she had ever been in and was utterly taken by the restaurant
“This is just amazing “ she said “Thank you Melvin “
“My pleasure – wait until you try the food “
He made himself comfortable and handed a menu to Tina
“Order whatever you want but I do recommend that you skip any starter and make sure you have space for a desert – would you like a burger Bette ?”
“Heck yes “ she looked at her dad and he winked at her. She lent over the table and kissed him
“Thanks dad “
“Anything for you honey – you know that “
Melvin picked up another copy of the menu and lost himself weighing up what he wanted
“I think that as I am here and they do it better than anywhere else – I will have the traditional London fish and chips  – and probably some British beer  – what about you Tina – what do you really like ?”
“I am torn “ she said “ every time I pick something I see something else that I want more…but I do love a steak sandwich – oh God – this is hard- no – I will go with the steak sandwich “
Just as Bette was looking at the menu she suddenly became aware that something or someone was standing behind her. It was a ghoulish looking man who was at least 6ft 7in
“This is Dreadworthy the Butler”
“Mr Porter “ the ghoul said bowing at Melvin – Tina was amazed. Especially when Melvin he got up and greeted the man with a warm handshake and the giant slapped him on the back
“We don’t often see you here in the afternoon “
“I am treating my daughter Bette – and this is her” he paused and looked at Tina and smiled at her before looking back at the giant “This is her girlfriend Tina”
He bowed at both of them
“Why don’t we take a photo of you and Dreadworthy Tina and sent it to Emma” he suggested
Tina laughed “ God that will freak her out – do you think she knows about this place ?”
“I don’t know – it is pretty famous “
“Well if she hasn’t been here she is coming here – Kate will just love this – and its her birthday in a few weeks – she would love this “
“Have you looked at the desert menu Miss ?” the ghoul asked as they stood beside a skeleton in a cage that was suspended from the ceiling. While Bette took photos on Tina’s phone as well as her own.
“What do you recommend ?”
“Death by Chocolate Mousse Pie “
“Sold “
“Do you do parties here ?” Tina asked as practical as always
“I will get you some leaflets “
When he didn’t put on a ghouls voice the man had a deep Yorker accent
“Thank you “ Tina said smiling at him before Bette handed her phone and looking at the photographs that Bette had taken.
“That one should freak her out “ Tina said
“Have you decided what you want to eat ?” Melvin asked “ I will go the bar – what would the two of you like to drink ?”
“Coffee for me “ Bette said
“I knew you would say that – Tina ?”
“Just a coke “
Melvin stood up “ Come on Bette – we are starving and waiting for you ?”
“I will have a BBQ chicken sandwich “ Bette said “ Then the Snickers Pie”
He looked kindly at Tina “ And you Tina ?”
“Your friend recommended the Death by Chocolate Mousse Pie “
“I am sure we can all try bits of each other’s deserts – I will have Bourbon Street Pecan Pie  – I am looking forward to this meal”
He picked up the menu and walked off towards the bar. Tina started to type a text message to her mothers and sent it off with a laugh
“That is just going to freak them out “
Bette was beaming “This is going well isn’t it ?”
“He’s a sweetheart Bette”
Bette exhaled “It means a lot to me “
“It obviously means a lot to him as well  – he has gone to a lot of trouble to take a day off and book us a table here – this is one damn cool place – who are you sending a text to ?”
“Shane and Carmen – I know the food is expensive but this would be a wild place to have a party at “
“Its great “ Tina was looking around – every viewing brought new things to her attention. She looked back at Bette and took hold of her hand
“Its going to be okay “
Bette nodded “ I just wish I had told him “
“Well he knows now and we are about to eat our entire body weight in food with luck – I hope you weren’t planning to go for a run today “
“No I wasn’t – I was planning to run tomorrow though and I might not be able to move”
Tina was watching Bette watching her father at the bar – she turned. He was chatting to a rather attractive female vampire who was behind the bar. They were laughing – Tina looked back at her girlfriend
“I can see where you get the charm from “
“What ?”
“I can see where you get the charm from  – both of your folks could charm the birds out of the trees. Rosemary is just adorable but he’s lovely as well”
Bette grinned again and lent over and kissed her girlfriend
“I really should go back home but I really hate leaving you “
Tina touched Bette’s face “I know you have to go back “
Bette felt torn – she should be with her parents but her heart and her libido really did want to spend the night with Tina tonight. She kissed Tina again
“As long as your parents are okay maybe I could stay another night”
“They think you are wonderful – not in the same way as I do of course but still – do you think your dad would mind if you stayed a little longer “
“I hope not  – maybe in a few weeks we could see how he would be about us spending the night at our apartment. You would just love my mom’s breakfasts – just out of this world “
Tina took Bette’s hand “I will take anything that I can when it comes to being with  you babe – I am glad your dad is okay with us now “
“So am I “
“And regardless of what happened – its not your fault – you cannot be blamed for stuff that happened before you were born “
Bette nodded “I know – I just wonder how he would have reacted if I had just come out and told him how I felt “
“You – we have to move forward now – that’s what matters – we are out and we have been accepted as a couple – we have great parents – that’s all there is to it”
After a few minutes Melvin came to their table and handed Bette her coffee and Tina her coke. He went back and returned again with a pint of dark beer
“What is that ?” Bette asked picking it up and sniffing it “Its not Guinness “
“it’s a British beer – I have just heard about it  – I am looking forward to trying it”
“Ugh “ Bette said “I am happy with my coffee “
“There should be a ten minute wait for our food – just say if you want anything else to drink”
Tina was about to speak when her phone rang
“I just know that’s Emma “
She picked up her phone and pulled a face
“Hello mom – no – no – we are fine “
Melvin gestured for the phone  – Tina looked dubiously at him but she looked to Bette who nodded – this might be fun. After a few seconds of listening to a very over protective mom she handed the phone to Melvin
“Emma – its Melvin – I am with them and they are both safe and looking forward to massive helpings of food followed by – well I believe Tina is having Death by Chocolate Mousse and Bette is having Snickers Pie – yes – yes – may I remind you that I am a officer of the court just like you and I am also a grown up – they are safe with me “
After a few seconds it seemed that Emma had calmed down – he gave a theatrical yawn and took a sip of his beer “Mind you I am about to entertain them by telling them some really gory stories about people I have prosecuted – so if they are staying with you tonight make sure they don’t have any nightmares “
He hung up and chuckled
“I had forgotten how much I enjoyed teasing your mother”