Happy Birthday To You, Right?

Chapter Fifteen


Great party Tina, happy birthday.

Thanks you guys, Im so glad you could be here, but

Alice was quick to notice her but.

But what Tina? She didnt have to answer Alice, because she along with the others already knew.

I was hoping to hear from her.

I doubt that, the way you guys left each other the last time, I dont think shell be calling. But you know she wants too.

Its just that Ive never done this without her.

There was a lot you hadnt done without her, but then you did it and youre okay.

Al, you know what I mean.

I do, and as your friend, I think we should down some drinks and celebrate. Celebrate exactly what Tina thought? Tina knew she was right, but they were friends still, so didnt friends still call each other.

With that Tina excused herself to Marinas office and called Bettes cell, only to get her voice mail.

Hey this is Bette, sorry I missed you but try the house or the NYAC. Thanks.

She doesnt even want to answer Tina thought. And as she went to sit, she noticed that all of a sudden it was very quiet. Thats odd she thought. And went to see what the deal was.

It was time for the next singer to go on. It was a mutual friend of hers and Bettes who was about to explain something, so as Tina went to sit at her friends table, he began to say,
Well I really wasnt going to sing tonight, sorry Tina, but then I got this message, but Ill let you hear it for yourself. When the voice begun to speak, her heart stopped for just a second, it was Bettes voice,

Hey Justin, its me Bette. I was just calling for a favor. I was hoping you could come out of youre so called retirement for just tonight and sing Her this song. Um when you see her just tell her I said happy birthday. Thanks. Bye

So here it is Tina,

After all this time I still miss you everydayThe same world spins ’roundI guess some things never changeSometimes I go out but it never feels the sameI still look for you Baby some things never change
When I said I’d love you for eternityI just never knew how true those words would beJust an old love songJust a mention of your nameMy heart breaks in two againI guess some things never change
Maybe someday someone else will set me freeUntil then I’ll live with your loves legacyAnd I’ll keep holding onHoping you’ll come back somedayYou can rest assuredBaby some things never changeGirl I’m still in love with youI guess some things never changeI still love you


Tina couldnt help but let tears roll down her face, she loved her, and she was tired of living without her. So after the song she thanked Justin, then went to the office, and tried to call Bette, but still no answer.



At the local Y.M.C.A.

Bette a little uncomfortable just went to sit in a corner and just watched. She took her camera and fell into just taking pictures. All these little boys and girls were all off doing whatever their little hearts desired. Playing ball, coloring, building things, and just running and screaming without any regards to what ever else was going on. Bette wished she could do the same, but she never had the time to, or actually she never took the time to do so.

She was just fine watching when a little Spanish boy came up to and just stared at her. Bette a little uneased just looked at him and said,

Hi, little one, but he just looked. Then he just reached out his arms and motioned for Bette to pick him up. Bette gathered him in her arms, and suddenly, they were full of life. He looked up and smiled and it was then when one of the directors walked up.

I see Jonathan has made a new friend, then he said something in Spanish and he little boy replied back to him.

What did he say?

He said he liked you because you looked a little sad. Im Pablo Ruiz, I take it your Bette Porter. Belinda said you might drop by, but I wasnt sure when that would be.

Yes, Im Bette Porter. Does she recommend all her patients to come here?

Not really, but the ones that do, they never regret coming by you know.

So that little fellow was Jonathan you said, as he ran away from where they stood.

Yeah hes four, hes a little shy, which is why Im kind of surprised at him.

So he tends to keep to himself.

Yeah.

Does he just speak Spanish,

No he does know English, hes pretty fluent in both. Well I have to get back to some of my duties, but it was nice to meet you Ms. Porter. Youre welcome whenever you want, as he left the little guy returned to her side.

Thanks Mr. Ruiz, and picking up the little boy in her arms, she went to the tables retrieved some books and colors for her and the little boy, though no words were spoken, they were communicating.

It was around six-thirty and most of the kids had already left. And for some reason, Bette could not leave Jonathan. When it was snack time, he sat by her side, when she read him a book, he sat in her lap, and when it was naptime, he held her hand till he was asleep. When he woke up, he stayed glued to her side.

Ms. Porter.

Mr. Ruiz, please call me Bette.

Bette, I hate to say this, but I need to get going and my volunteers arent quite here yet. They said give them five minutes, but I need to get out of here. The others are here, Im usually the one to stay and wait for parents but I have appointments.

Mr. Ruiz,

Please, its Pablo,

I understand and I dont mind at all.

Thank you Bette, Ill just call Elizabeth and let her know. I have her picture so youll know who she is ok, with that he left. About 10 minutes later Elizabeth arrived.

Ms. Porter, Im sorry to keep you waiting. They wouldnt let me out for break.

No its okay. Please call me Bette.

Bette, Im Elizabeth Ramirez, but my friends call me Libby. Pablo told me today that Jonathan had an interest in you.

Yeah, I like him too.

So Belinda sent you huh?

Yeah.

Well Im glad you came.

Me too. So you volunteer here and go to school.

Yeah, and I work when I can.

Pablo kind of told me about some things here. I hope thats okay. Having Libby look down made Bette feel embarrassed for them both.

Its okay. If he trusts you to tell you, then I trust you to know.

Thank you. And I admire you for the strength you have in your eyes.
Thank you Ms. Porter, but if you would excuse me, I have some kids to look after.

Of course. But before she could go for some reason she stopped,

I know this is strange in all, but would you join me for dinner.

Ms. Porter I dont know.

Its just dinner, I just want to know about you and to be honest I havent made many friends yet.

Why?

I dont know, I havent made the time yet.

I really would love to but I just have so much. Maybe another time?

Sure, Um Libby before you go, can I give you my number so if you ever needed anything you could call me. Bette could see the warmth in her eyes.

Sure, thank you very much Ms. Porter.

Please call me Bette.

Okay then, bye Bette. Thank You.

You welcome, goodbye Libby.

For the next couple of weeks as Bettes therapy was going well she was working on her issues and trying to make things better within herself, Libby was becoming a permanent fixture in her life.

Callie, though she liked her in all was just okay with being friends. They had good times together and Bette had let her know some of her past and she had understood that Bette wasnt ready and maybe wouldnt be for a while.
Though not forgetting about Tina, she was going to write another letter that she probably would not send. They always started out the same and ended with Bette making sure she would never forget she loved her.

The little notes that Tina received every once in awhile would come by and every time they did, she would read them over and over until she knew every word by heart. The last one had seemed like maybe this time they were both getting on.


T,
And when you take the time, to lay it on the line, I can rest my head just knowing that you were mine, all mine,
B.


The ones that did were for her sister. She had kept her updated and she had done the same. She was happy for Dana and Alice, missed Shane like *****, and was glad Jenny could come around.
Her photography had not gone unnoticed because she took pictures of Libby and sent them to Kit. She asked that she not say anything about her until she knew for sure that she would be with her forever.


Hey Kit Kat,

Baby girl, its been days.

I know did you get the pictures.

Yeah,

I know what youre thinking, Im not interested in her, she needed someone to help her out and I was there.

I know Bette, but just be careful.

Isnt she wonderful?

These pictures of the two of you are great. She looks at you this way that looks like you were meant to be.

I feel it Kit Kat, I do. She shows me so much Kit, and Im looking for a place for us.

Thats good. When will I be able to talk to her?

Soon, maybe you can even come up. Then there was a pause.

Bette are you okay?

Kit Kat, I met somebody.

Yeah, how about that.

And shes nice in all, and she makes me laugh, and the Libby seems to like her but Kit knew she was holding back.

You have to let go some time, baby girl.

I now Kit Kat, but what if she still might give us a chance, I just have to try before I can move on.

But you are all the way over there, and she is still with her.

I know, but is she doing ok. Will you tell her?

Yeah, I just dont know Bette.

I know I just want to make sure she doesnt forget okay.

All right.

I dont know, but I have to go, I have meetings all day. Love you.

Love you.

Kit hung up and wondered what had happened to her sister. The last few phone calls each one she had noticed that Bette was becoming someone else.

During her conference she felt her phone buzzing around in her pocket. She checked her id and saw that it was Libby. Libby knew where she was and knew this was important something, had to be wrong.

Excuse me, this is important, as she walked back into her office.

Libby, whats going on?

Bette, Im sorry I had to call, but George and I we just had a fight and he hit me.

Libby where are you?

Im in the bathroom, I locked myself in here.

Is he still there?

No hes been gone about ten minutes.

Ill be there ok, well get clothes, and you can stay with me.

Ok Bye,

Libby, its me, you can open the door now, her left eye a little red.

Oh Libby, and walked towards the young girl.

I was so scared Bette,

Im sure sweetie, why dont you gather some clothes and well go ok. Are you okay?

Yeah,

Are you sure, she nodded her head, okay can I have my hug now.

Bette,

Yes,

Is it okay if I love you, she pulled her from her embrace with tears from her face she looked at her, oh sweetie, I love you too.

You do.

Of course I do.

Bette, can you be my mom. Can I call you mom?

Sweetie if you want to ok. Go and gather some stuff. Libby walked back into the room, You know I love you. You have been there when nobody else bothered to be. And I havent had a mom in awhile; truth is I need one, is that ok with you?

Libby, I cant promise you everything will be perfect, but I promise you I will try.