Chapter 15

By 5 o’clock the party was in full swing.  Everyone had brought either beer, chips, a side or dessert.  Bette and Angie were water logged they had been in the pool so long.  Tina came over to the side and told Bette the grille was ready.  Alice was laughing and talking to Shane by the edge of the pool.  Tina got a twinkle in her eye and Bette gave her an understanding nod.  In a matter of minutes, Alice was floundering in the pool as everyone stood by laughing.  Angie laughed the most when her mommies said in unison “THAT’S WHAT YOU GET FOR ALMOST DROPPING OUR DAUGHTER ON HER HEAD THIS MORNING!”

Bette set Angie out of the pool beside her Momma T.  With one hand on her hip and her other pointing at Alice, Angie said “that’s right Auntie Alice…that’s what you get!”  To which everyone, including Alice, threw their heads back in laughter. 

“Let’s go get some dry clothes on Boo.”  Bette said stepping out of the pool.

“Hey, what about me?”  cried Alice. 

“Come on Alice I am sure we can find you some dry clothes too.”  Tina laughed.

Alice got out of the pool dripping wet but with a smile on her face.  “If this is what I get for being excited to see my best friend again, then I would gladly get thrown in the pool every day.  Are we ok now Angie?”  Angie gave her best Porter smile and nodded.

“Awwww”  Tina said throwing a towel around Alice.  “Come on let’s get you dry too.”

Once Bette had changed it took no time to get the chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs ready.  Everyone fixed a plate and sat around the back yard.  When everyone was seated, Bette stood up and proposed a toast “I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am to be home again.  The last six months have been some of the hardest of my life and I know they have been hard for Angie and Tina.  I want to thank each of you for your love and the support you have given my family.  I know you were there for Tina.  I don’t want to think what would have happened if we hadn’t applied for the Peabody grant.  But this has made me realize how important family is.  We may not all be related by blood but we have chosen to be a family and I think that is even more special.  So thank you for making tonight special for us.  To family!”