I never took her anywhere! Nowhere, T, I swear to you and the tears filled her eyes.  Bette knew the memory of these two people will always be somewhere lurking in the back of both their minds.

Well, thats nice to know and I believe you, but the fact of the matter is, baby, things were experienced by both of us when we were apart.  We cant change any of that.  We have to live for us today, the here and now and work towards our future.   Okay?

Okay, T.  I guess its just going to take a little time.  Every time a thought of her comes into my head I go immediately to how she hurt you and, god knows, what else she could have done to you.   All I have to do is look at this cast and be reminded of the ***** *****

Bette, remember I know how you feel and you have to know at this point that Im not very fond of her either, dont you?

Yeah, T.  The *****

Okay, enough.  Can we just let go of this and enjoy a nice leisurely lunch, please?

Okay, my fit is over.  The ***** ***** can go

Bette!

Bette pulled the Saab back onto the road and they headed towards the restaurant.  When they pulled into the parking lot, they were reminded it was Saturday as the place looked packed.

Well, it looks crowded but lets go anyway, okay, babe?  Get your woman some food.

Bette smiled the smile that could light the deepest darkness – Thats my girl, Tina said, reaching up to place a tender kiss on that smiling face.

Would you have a table for two by the   Tina scanned the restaurant looking out toward the windows and then stopped and just stared.  Bette, why dont we just go to another place

T, whats the matter?  I thought you said this was a great place to eat.  Bette followed Tinas gaze and – son of a *****!! She saw the profile of Helena sitting by the window. She wasnt in New York – shes here!

Dammit, T, shes not going to ruin our lives anymore.  Were eating here.  Sir, have you a table by a window in the other room?

Yes, Miss, we do.  Would you follow me?  They sat at a table towards the back of the second room of the restaurant right near a window.  It was relatively private as there were not as many people in this room.

T, Im all right, okay?  Im not going to flip out.   Id like to smack her across the face with this cast, but I wont.  She doesnt know were here and shell most likely be gone by the time we leave.  Lets just have a nice lunch.  I promise I wont go over there and start anything, okay?

Babe, Im sorry..

T, you had no idea shed be here. So dont be sorry.  Please.

Bette took Tinas hand and leaned over and kissed her for reassurance.  Now, lets get us and our daughter some food, um?

They enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing lunch and talked on a myriad of things including Bettes conversation with her father and how she felt that contributed to her meltdown, about Tina moving back in, about the baby, their friends and how lucky they were to have them in their lives and how really blessed they felt for having this second chance.

T, come with me and lets go on the deck for a few moments.  You feel comfortable enough to stand for a few minutes?

Sure, babe.  Its been a long time since we stood and looked at the ocean.

They made their way out to the deck.  It was a gorgeous late California sunshine afternoon.  To anyone watching them, they would see two people so obviously in love that they appeared as one – their beauty surrounded by the California coastline.

But for two people in the next room just leaving their table, Bette and Tina were annoying specks of sand they wished the oceans tide would wash away

TBC