Chapter 7

Tina walks into her classroom and pulls out her cell phone before the kids start entering.  This bullshit with Kelly only bothers her as much as it seems to bother Bette.  Tina is nobody’s fool.  She isn’t about to stand idly by while Kelly executes whatever insane agenda she has regarding her Bette.  She wonders why Kelly is back.  She wonders what has happened with her the last the last 10 years.  She wonders if that crazy bitch is actually under the delusion that she has a chance at getting Bette back.  She knows who she needs to call.  The one person who can get the answers to all her questions.  She hits the speed dial and waits.

“Leigh!  How are you and that precious baby of yours?”

Leigh recognizes Tina’s voice and answers.

“We are both doing great!  What about you and that tall drink of water you’re shacked up with?”

Tina laughs, “She is quenching all my thirsts!  Listen, is he available I really need to talk to him.”

“For you, he’s always available.  His meeting is ending now, just a sec.”

Tina’s smiles to herself and waits.

“Buttercup!  How are you?  How is Bette?  How is the baby?”

“Daddy!”  Tina chuckles at the long time nickname and all the questions.

“All of us are great.  I need a favor, daddy.”

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 The lunches are over and Bette walks back to her office.  Her head is down looking through a student folder as she sits down at her desk.  She hears James nearing her office arguing with someone.  She looks up to see James get in front of Kelly to stop her from entering.

“Bette has a parent meeting in 7 minutes.  She can’t talk to you right now.  Walk with me to my desk and I’ll schedule an appointment for you.”

“This won’t take long.  I’ll only be a minute.” Kelly side steps James.

Just as Kelly reaches the door, Bette begins to close it and says “Make an appointment, Kelly.”  Then shuts it in her face.

A red-faced Kelly turns around.   She lifts her head and tries to pull some dignity from the situation saying, “I’ll come back when she isn’t so busy.”

Carmen and James laughed and James walked back to his desk.

Nobody sees Dawn Denbo watching the entire scene through the window of her office.  The look on her face is not a happy one.

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The bell signaling the end of school rings and Tina couldn’t be happier.  She loved her job, her students, and her colleagues.  She can’t imagine doing anything else with her life.  She was born to teach.  But she’s always ready for the end of the day.  Kids are draining….mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

She sets about planning dinner for her and Bette.  She had already decided to order take out from Bette’s favorite Cajun restaurant. …..shrimp etouffee and gumbo. 

She’s glad that Dana agreed to take her home early instead of waiting for Bette.  She’s needs to get her own car to pull off her plans for tonight.

She wants Bette to relax tonight.  She wants to pamper and spoil her this evening.  She wants to put Bette’s mind at ease.  Bette is always fussing over her….especially now with the baby on the way.  No…tonight is going to be all about Bette.  Well.  With one exception.  Tina smiles.  Well….the exception can be about Bette too.