Bette gave a weak smile. “Surprise?”

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. “I’m” I pointed towards the back of the house. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s up with her.”

This day was quickly moving beyond strange. It had started as any ordinary Sunday. And now, well, now I think I was beginning to identify with the people who’d get stuck in the twilight zone.

“I” Any time I felt I had become immune from Bette, I’d get these thoughts of her, and it would again raise so many conflicting feelings.

Seeing her in New York, seeing her now. It’s far worse.

Like a wound that’s festered for far too long. If she’s willing to make an effort, thought, perhaps we can finally move to closure.

“Would you like to come in?”

I noticed how carefully she entered the house. How she couldn’t help but glance around, inventorying all the changes, no doubt. Things had changed quite a bit since the days when she and I lived here, I guess. But in other ways, I’m not sure things had changed all that much at all.

“I am.” I said as she walked past.

She turned back, giving me a questioning look.

“Surprised. I’m surprised to see you.”

Again, she gives me that small smile. “I was going to call, but then I was afraid you wouldn’t want to see me.”

Good plan, Bette, since I’m not sure I do want to see you. However, you are here. “Would you like something to drink? I have some coffee made, I’m sure there’s juice, water.” I walked into the kitchen.

It’s tough, but I have to keep reminding myself that it’s my house. When we were together, the house was more Bette’s domain, and I always deferred to her. I opened the refrigerator, seeing if there was anything to add to the list.

“I might have some wine.”

“Some water, thanks.”

The voice made me jump. I was so busy digging in the fridge I didn’t notice that she’d come up behind me.

“Would you mind sitting outside?” I asked as I handed Bette the water.

She gave me a small nod in agreement.

“I’m going to go check, really quickly, on Jess.”

The small look of pain returned. “Should I join you?”

I hesitated before speaking. That was probably enough to give her an answer. “She’s been a little off the last few days. Perhaps it’s best if I just.”

With that, I headed back towards Jess’s room, leaving Bette to find her way outside.

Even though I knew there was little chance that any of the reason that Jess has been upset had to do with anything besides Bette and I, a part of me hoped that her current mood had something to do with her friends, or her boyfriend.

Now I suppose I have confirmation that the problem has to do with us, or, perhaps more specifically, with Bette. And that really doesn’t make sense to me, as it seemed on that first morning that they had quickly grown close.

“Jess?” I knocked lightly before entering. She was curled up on her bed, clutching Mr. Goofy Bear.

When I sat down, I immediately started pushing her hair back from her eyes. She’s got such pretty eyes, so much like Bette’s. Equally expressive. “Jess, do you want to talk about it?”

“Is she still here?”

“Yes.”

Jess tensed up, and tried to curl up tighter. Back to the silence.

“Jess, please, will you tell me what’s bothering you.”

It’s often a wait to get a real answer out of her. “Nothing.” Unfortunately, sometimes it’s impossible to get a truthful answer.

Time to shift strategy. “Can I get you something?”

This time she just shook her head.

“I’m going outside. If you’d like to join us” There’s little chance she will, of course. Even though it’s Bette, I’m still starting to feel bad that I’m leaving her waiting for so long.

I bent over and kissed Jess’s cheek.

It’s days like this one that give Shane business, keeping the grays covered.

“We’ll talk later, okay?”

I’m sure she loves that idea, too. But I think this has been going on for quite long enough.

When Bette and Jess were together, the two of them were getting along. They were getting along so well, I have to admit to a twinge of jealousy. What could have happened?

On the way to meet Bette I grabbed a fresh cup of coffee. For a moment I wondered if I should bring something outside, like cookies or fruit. But then I questioned what would be the goal of that? Trying to get her to stay longer? Did I want that?

Out on the deck, Bette was seated on a chaise, sitting sideway, back straight. She had her hands clutched together. Again, it took a moment to remember that she wasn’t on her home turf at this point.

“How is she?”

I shrugged. “She’s been like this since New York. I’m not sure exactly what’s up with her, to be honest.”

“So, you hadn’t discussed us?”

I sat on the chaise across from Bette, placing my coffee onto the table between them. Several different responses came to mind, but I finally went with the most basic. “No.”

That sounded wrong. Since Bette hadn’t been involved in our lives, I wasn’t sure exactly how to breach the subject. “I wanted to, but I wasn’t sure exactly how.”

Surprisingly enough, Bette looked as if she understood.

“I guess she found some pictures, I’m not even sure when. She probably dreamed up some story to explain it all.” Might as well go for what I know. Perhaps Bette will have a clue.

“And I disappointed her.”

Bette’s words were so raw. I noted how crushed she looked as she sat there. Perhaps I should have had some discussion with Jess earlier. But how was I to know at any point that my daughter would go seeking Bette on her own? Right now, I’m honestly not sure what was the right choice.

“She’s young, Bette. Things that seem small to you or I affect her greatly, sometimes.”

A quick flash went through Bette’s eyes. “Our marriage is something small?”

“That’s not what I said.” Dammit, Bette. Don’t start this. I have no obligation to smooth over your feelings, too.

I was wondering how I could ask her to leave when she said something that caught me completely off guard.

“I’m sorry.”

What’s more, I believe she truly was.

Still, that didn’t answer the key question. “Why are you here, Bette?”

(tbc)