THE UNSEEN SCENES – ALLY EMMERSON

“Bette – is this wedding doomed ?”
“Of course not Tina “
“We just got locked in a fucking freezer on our wedding day “
“Well, we got out, didn’t we ?”
Tina stopped and looked at Bette – her beautiful soon to be wife.
“What have I said about you being so reasonable ?”
“That its annoying “ Bette smiled and took Tina’s still cold hands and held them close to her chest
“Deeply”
“I thought we decided that Its okay as long as it doesn’t get too bad – and you did say that you love all parts of me – even the hot tempered bits “
“I did and I do “
Bette pulled Tina closer, and they kissed. They were both still very cold after their long spell in the walk in freezer of the complex where they were getting married.
“Yes it was terrible but Tasha and her friends got us out and we still have an hour to get ready. Honestly – it is going to be alright and it’s not a predictor of anything to do with our marriage. We love each other, and we have both done a lot of work and we are going to be just fine – I promise you Ti”.
The blonde kissed Bette and touched her face “I am so lucky “
“We are so lucky – are you alright ?”
Tina took several deep breathes “ Well I cannot say that I am feeling too hot now “
“No – no you most certainly cannot. Let’s go back to our room – we can start getting ready “
Tina took Bette’s hand.
“Let’s go and get married “
After a few minutes of silence Tina looked at Bette “ Gotta say something “
“What ?”
“How fucking good does Tasha look ?”
Bette nodded “Well my vision might have been blurred by all the icicles but yes – she always did totally rock a uniform “
“Could it be fate that she is here with Alice on our wedding day ?“
“Well that does depend on Alice getting that big old stick out of her butt and admitting how much she contributed to them breaking up last time “
“Do you think that is likely ?”
“Shane told me that during some wild drug taking trip Alice had a very real dream about Dana.”
“Oh God – I bet that freaked her out “
“It didn’t help – she has been questioning why her relationships go south “
“She has dated some strange types “
“That – my sweet could be said of all of us. During this trip Dana appeared and told Alice that she had to let her go “
“Fuckity fuck “
“Yes – that is certainly true. Anyway – this has got her being very introspective – so maybe this reappearance of Tasha is – well – I guess it could be fate for sure “
“They were great together “
“I think Tasha is awesome and critically – she doesn’t take Alice’s nonsense “
“You have to be open to be called on your nonsense “
Tina looked at Bette – well she was certainly someone who was now much more open to accepting and dealing with her flaws.
“That is true – I guess we have always known who our true love is”
“Didn’t always help” Bette replied pulling a face “ Anyway – this is our wedding day, and we are not in a freezer so let’s thank our stars “
“Agreed “
When they reached the stairs leading to their suite Bette noticed someone sitting slightly hidden by all the bushes.
“Why don’t you have a shower – if we have one together that is going to make us very late. I want a few minutes just mediating with nature “
Tina raised an eyebrow “ Worrying thing is that you mean it – if you had said that a few years ago I would have thought you had been on the same trip that Alice went on “
“Go and get ready and stop being such a smart ass “
“You love me for it “
“Yes, I do – go on – you can have the shower as cool as you want and I am will not be there to complain “
They kissed again and Bette admired Tina’s ass as she climbed the stairs. Alone Bette took several deep breathe of air – it smelt so pure and full of life. After a few minutes she walked along the path and sat down beside her daughter Angie.
“Hello “
“You are out “
“We are “
“How did you get stuck in there or is it something too much for my delicate ears ?” there was a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
“Your mom is having hot flushes – do NOT tell her I told you that – she is in denial and any mention of menopause will result in her getting very angry – and you know your mom’s anger is not to be recommended “
“Like how she was with Hendrix ?”
“Yes “
There had been an uneasy standoff between Angie and her mother’s since Tina’s public outburst about her daughter’s relationship with her Professor. Bette was cast as peace maker in the drama – an odd role for her she knew.
“He is such a fucking jackass “
“Any reason ?”
“He is fucking off to New York – his crappy fucking book has had a “ nibble “ so he is fucking off. He is such a fucking spineless fucking coward “
Bette suppressed about five comments all of which would have made things much worse. She smiled.
“What is so fucking funny ?”
“I sometimes cannot believe that you are my daughter. I mean – look at you – so smart and sassy and beautiful. Then I hear how many fucks you can put into a sentence and I think – hell Bette – she couldn’t be anyone else BUT your daughter “
Angie laughed and took her mom’s hand
“I hate that you were right, and I didn’t see it “
“I know you think we are all steaming hypocrites because of the crap we have done. Guess what – you are 100% right but no one is judging you Angie. Don’t you think that we can see the traps because of how many times WE walked into them when we were so much older than you are now. You are going to fuck up – that is a part of growing up. But what sort of parents would we be if we didn’t see that and want to protect you. For all the swearing – you are still our little girl”
“He didn’t take advantage of me – there was no force on his part “
“If I thought for a second that he had forced you into ANYTHING do you think he would still be walking Angelica ?”
“But “
Bette held up a finger “ I once had a fling with my TA – she was blonde and cute and she made it very plain that she wanted me. Your mom and I were separated and my ego was in my boots. I knew that it was wrong but I did it because it flattered my very bruised ego. So I am not saying he is a bad man – I am just saying that in that relationship he always would have the upper hand. So I am not judging you – I am just assessing what I see from my old woman perspective. Been around, got the tee-shirt and I knew that the person who would get hurt would be my daughter and you have to see how much that hurts your mom and me. We are not being holier than thou – we have fucked up so many times but “ Bette sighed “ I would do anything to stop you being hurt Boo”
“”No one has called me that in a long time “
“Because you are a young woman. Guess what – you will do other crazy things but learn from them Angie.”
Angie nodded “ Yeah – yeah, I do see that. I guess after Jordi “ she trailed off
“After Jordi you thought – I will fucking well show her and you went on the prowl “ Bette raised an eyebrow. Angie nodded
Bette gestured “ You are amazing – you are going to turn heads for the rest of your life “
“Like you “
Bette grinned “Maybe – but that gives YOU power and you have to know how to reign it in and when to turn it up to 10 “
“Like you did running through the traffic to get momma back “
Bette laughed “ Exactly – it was the right time to make the grand gesture “
“I – I just didn’t want to hurt “
“I know that – but I will say that you undersold yourself. You can do better than a man with topiary for facial hair. Lord – how long does it take him to keep that beard so perfect ? “
Angie started laughing “ You are amazing mom “
“I have to be because I am about to marry a wonderful woman who I have loved my whole life and I have friends who I would do anything for and I have a daughter who kept me on my toes when she was a baby and will keep doing that for the rest of my life. Angie – you are going to make so many more mistakes – we all do – its what being human is all about. Cut yourself some slack and just know that Shane, Alice and your mom and I want to protect you. I know you are a young adult and you think you know it all and are invincible but take advantage of all the traps we have walked into over the years and avoid them “
Angie went quiet for a few minutes
“I miss Aunt Kit “
Bette swallowed – her half sister was in her mind today of all days
“I miss her too “
“She would get such a kick out of you and mom getting married again”
“She would – and I can hear her voice lecturing me and telling me that I better not mess this up or she will kick my ass so hard “ Bette could feel that she wanted to cry. She took a couple of deep breathes
“Do not cry – she would not want you to cry today “ Angie said
“There are times when you are more like her than you will ever know “ Bette rubbed her eyes
“She was the best “
“She was something else – and do you want to know something else ?”
“What ?”
“If you think your momma was mad about Hendrix – can you imagine what Kit would have done to him if she had got her hands on him ?”
Angie laughed “ Oh she would have kicked my ass “
“She would have kicked his ass and then she would have given you a massive rollocking. “
“Do you ever sense that she is watching over you ?”
Bette rubbed her ear “I hear her voice a lot – what the hell are you doing girl ? – hey girl “ Bette slipped into a good version of Kit’s accent and tone.
“That’s scary “
Bette shrugged “ I have done her voice all my life to tease her – now she is gone – sometimes I feel that it’s all I have of her – her telling me off or laughing or saying something so totally Kit “
“She never stopped believing that one day you would come to your senses and get mom back “
Bette glanced at her watch “I am going to have to move soon “
“I know – but this is nice – thanks mom “
“I know you have been too angry to see reason but no one is condemning you. Its done out of love “
“I know – I guess I thought I could deal with it “
Bette kissed the side of Angie’s head and stood up “Maybe the next time you are looking for someone to fool around with you might find that the answer is not that far from home “
“What ?”
“Just a comment “
“Mom “
Bette grinned “If you don’t know there is no point in me saying anything. I had better move – I have a beautiful and truly awesome woman who is wanting to marry me and no fucking broken freezer door or anything else is going to stop me. “