Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Two years later…present day
Angelica is six years old
Bette was debating whether to run downstairs to the gallery for a few hours when the phone rang.
“Hi Bette, it’s me.”
“Oh, hi.” She added, “Its Angelica’s Sunday dance class—she’s not here right now. Is everything OK?”
“Actually, I called to talk with you privately—I thought she would probably be in class.”
Bette walked over to the couch in the loft and sat down for the conversation. Angelica was with her for the summer months in New York, an agreement they had come to when she was four years old; she spent the school year with Tina in Los Angeles. Both traveled frequently between the coasts for business, so Angelica’s frequent flyer points were higher than most adults and she got to see both her mothers regularly.
“I wanted to let you know that I’m coming to New York next week and I’d like to see you to discuss some things.”
Bette was surprised that Tina didn’t remember that Angelica would be leaving for dance camp in Maine the next weekend. “You know Angel’s leaving for camp next Saturday morning?”
“I know—I thought I would fly in on Thursday so that the three of us could have Friday together and I would come with you on Saturday to see her off on the bus. It’s a big event, Bette—the first time she is going away to sleep away camp. Is this a problem?”
Bette was surprised—their time together, with or without Angelica, had gotten more and more infrequent as Angelica got older. It seemed that after they did see each other, they would shy away from even talking to each other for weeks, sometimes months. But she managed quickly to say “Absolutely not, Tina; I think it’s a great idea and she will be thrilled. We’ve pretty much finished shopping for what she needs to take with her so Friday would be perfect. She has already told me that she wants to go for Thai food Friday night. Where are you staying?”
“Well…I was actually wondering if I could stay at your place?”
Bette was taken aback by the request and didn’t respond.
Tina added, “I know it’s unusual, but I really would like to be with her as much as possible before she leaves. Is this making you uncomfortable?”
“Umm, no, I guess I’m just surprised. Of course you can stay here; Angel will be really happy. I know that you were concerned that she was too young to go away to camp but she is so excited to have been chosen…”
Tina laughed at Bette’s immediate defensiveness, “No, no, I am fine with the decision we made and I know how excited she is. It’s a little scary but it’s a fabulous opportunity for her. I still can’t believe that she is so dedicated to this at six years old. I agree with you that she deserves the opportunity to explore this talent.”
“Should I tell her you are coming in or do you want to surprise her?”
“Tell her, please—I just wanted to be sure you were OK with this. I mean it’s your time with her but I just…”
“Tina—I think this is wonderful. She’ll be very excited that you are coming. Let me know your ETA on Thursday—would you like me to arrange a car to pick you up?”
“No, the studio will take care of that. I’ll send you my flight information—it will probably be late.”
“OK, Tina. I’ll see you…”
Tina interrupted her, “Actually, there is one more thing I wanted to talk to you about. I was hoping that we could go up together for visiting day the following weekend. I know that she will only be gone for two weeks…”
She was met by silence.
“Bette, I know I should have spoken to you before this.”
“You want to go up with me to Maine?” Bette’s surprise was apparent.
“Yes—were you planning on taking someone with you….?”
“No, no… of course not, Tina. I was planning on driving up –it’s a seven-hour car ride—I made reservations in Ogunquit at a bed and breakfast for the entire weekend.”
“Actually, that sounds nice, Bette. Look, I know I am surprising you with this and you can say no, of course, but I think we can do this together, don’t you?”
Bette tried not to sound hesitant. “Yes, of course we can.”
Tina smiled to herself as she heard Bette’s voice crack. “Bette? Are you sure you’re ok with this?”
“Well, I am just a little surprised…you never mentioned…”
“I know--that’s my bad. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I didn’t want to miss out on this in her life. Bette, I don’t want either of us to miss out on anything important in her life.” She paused and then plunged on ahead, “And Maine in August is just brilliant; I remember the time we spent in New England years ago—we had such a wonderful trip. Remember?”
Bette was too surprised to respond. She knew that they had worked hard to share the parenting of Angelica and they had both come a long way since their breakup—but this would be a first.
“Tina, I am sure that Angelica will be very happy that we are doing this. She will be thrilled that you are coming up on visiting day. I was planning on driving up on Friday—it’s a long drive. There are events planned at camp during the day on Saturday and the dance recital is Saturday evening. My reservation is through Monday morning—I thought I would see her for lunch on Sunday and then check out some galleries in the area. Will you be OK with driving back to the city on Monday—there will be significantly less traffic than on Sunday.”
“Sure, that would be perfect.”
“Um, Tina…is there anything else we need to discuss? I mean you said that you wanted to talk about some things?”
“Oh, we’ll have all week to talk. I have to run, Bette—I am meeting Alice and I need to go. I’ll email you the flight information and see you Thursday night. “
Bette hung up the phone and sat on the couch wondering what she had just gotten herself into. Was Tina thinking of staying with her all week while Angelica was away at camp? That’s what it sounded like. She needed to call the bed and breakfast in Maine and get another room booked for Tina.
“Hi, this is Bette Porter—I have a reservation for the weekend after next? Yes, I’ll hold…. Hi—Jeremy? How are you and Peter?... No, no, I am not canceling—I need to book another room for someone.” She listened to him laugh. “None? Yes, I know it is visiting day but …OK, well…then, there will be two of us. Um, remind me, is that a queen or a king bed? No, no… you know what—it really doesn’t matter. We will be up late on Friday so please hold the room for late arrival…Dinner?... Well, I hadn’t thought of it. Would you be a sweetie and get us a table at Fives at around 8pm? For two, yes…Well, later would be OK but not earlier since we’ll be driving up…Jeremy, don’t go there! I’ll be with my ex—Angelica’s other mother… Yes, Tina... Jeremy—be good; please do not call her the infamous Tina when you meet her... I’m looking forward to seeing you guys again too… Thanks a lot. See you next week. And Jeremy? If you get a cancellation, book the room for me.”
She hung up and thought, well, this is going to be interesting.