Suddenly the penny dropped

TBC

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Both women stood in silence. The only sound was Tina gasping for air. Bette had a look on her face as if she had been hit by a train and as for Tina..well Tina was ready to take on the world or crumble and cry.

Bette moved towards Tina, still with silence between them. Tina back away until her back was against a kitchen unit. Bette reached her and stood before her with a single tear emerging from her eye. The tear made a single track down over her cheek, to rest at the corner of her mouth. Tina watched the tear fall and knew that Bette was hurting. She knew that she would have so many questions. Too many for her to answer. Even one question would be too much for Tina. She wanted to run, to pick up her children and move on. However, there was no way on God’s earth that Bette would allow that to happen. They were inches from each other, and finally the silence was broken.

Bette: Tina( Bette’s mouth was dry and she fought hard to maintain herself)..Tina baby..let me please..talk to me.

Tina: NO..

Bette: baby please, who hurt you?

Tina: stop it..stop itleave me alone

Bette was desperate and wanted to get to Tina but she stayed back, a wee bit.

Bette: no baby, I know you dont want to hear that and I know that you will be thinking that if I care for you I will leave you alone, but no baby, not this time.
If you run from now on it will be to me..no one else will ever hurt you.nobodyno even..

Bette hesitated..who was it ..dad or husband..? She didnt want to get it wrong

Bette: not even..(***** thought Bette)

Tina: (with the softest wee voice whilst looking at the floor)my dad.

Tina slumped to the floor and landed in a heap. Bette immediately rushed to her and scooped her into her arms. Tina did not resist.she was overcome by emotions and secretsBette held Tina but could not see her face. Tina had her head down but her body began to shake and soft muffled cries turned into hysterical sobs that Bette associated with a woman grieving for her child. Bette had to be strong..she had to let Tina know that it was safe for her to open up to hershe had to let Tina know that it wasnt her fault and convince her of her love for her..

Tina rolled into Bettes arms and continued her uncontrollable weeping. Bette held her and cradled her in her arms like a wee child. This is what Tina needed and wanted for so long. Someone strong to take the brunt of what had happened to hersomeone to tell, talk to, cry to, get mad at and mostly to make her feel like a woman again. Her dad took all of that and Tina needed it back, all of it, every single feeling that he took, she needed to either take it back or be given it back.


TBC