Tina’s eyes watered over

“I took her there and I wanted to show her off. To make them all see how fantastic she is and that she is the woman I want to be with forever “

“And you probably did. I just think that you getting angry made matters worse. Its one thing to know that your wife is having an affair but it must be bad for your father when he knows that his three kids and his daughter’s new lover also know and have opinions. Maybe it only works because its never discussed – God knows. I didn’t understand it all when you first told me about it and I still don’t. What matters now is how you deal with it and it looks like you are dealing with it very badly. Is that because of Bette ?”

“I don’t want Bette to think that I want an open relationship “

“Do you ?”

“Helena there were times when Bette just looked so confused by what was going on. She hides it but I think she was really shocked by what she witnessed. I don’t want her to think that I belong to some kind of freak show family “

Helena shook her head – amazed at what Tina really seemed to believe. Especially when Bette had told her the day before.

“She doesn’t think that – when I was talking to her yesterday I was struck by how concerned she was for you. Do you want to know what she said to me ?”

“What ?” Tina dried her tears

“She said – I want her to know that she can lean on me and I will be there so that she can fall if she wants and I’ll catch her “

“She said that ?”

“She did “

“God Helena – she’s fantastic “

“She is rather devoted to you “ Helena said in an understated way

“I know I am wrapped up in my own world at the moment “

“Tina – I can see why you would but — look at it this way – the way I see it you did a life changing thing two weeks ago – you asked Bette to live with you – to share a home. And she said yes without a seconds hesitation – she gave up her place and moved in with you. You two should be enjoying finding out about one another – not the sexual stuff though that’s on tap all the time now as well and that’s got to be distracting. But as from when you both start work again – that’s when the hard work starts – who gets the milk, who pays what bill – that’s the reality of sharing your apartment with her. As hard as it is – you have to let your parents do whatever it is that they do. Its their lives and its their choices. You have your own life to lead and you have decided that your life is with one Bette Porter who just loves you to pieces. I have fucked up so many relationships – including my latest one by the way – and I can tell you that you two have something so – once in a life time “