.

Moving On

Bette and Tina didn't go through the court of law for Angelica's joint custody. They only arranged it through a lawyer, Joyce Wischnia, and the process went smooth. They didn't even need to see each other during the settlement. Both of them agreed that Angie will stay for 4 consecutive days with one mom, and then another 4 consecutive days with the other mom; regardless of what day it is in a week as long as it is 4 consecutive days.

After the break-up, Bette is having a hard time recovering. She's living alone in her house while Tina is renting a very nice house near her work place. Henry has his own house but it's a bit too far from Tina's work. It's either Tina stays at Henry's house or vice-versa; it depends on their schedules and arrangement. Tina has already limited her travels abroad.

Since the break-up, Bette and Tina have not seen each other. They communicate only thru email. They will only talk on the phone if it's an emergency, which never happened yet. The only reason they exchange emails is because of Angie, nothing more. They never go to each other's house, because each of them has their trusted nannies who regularly pick-up Angie from the other's house. Their nannies serve as their messengers too.

Since the break-up, Tina is not communicating with their close friends - Alice, Shane, Jenny, Kit, Helena and Tasha. She has totally shut off herself from the lesbian world. She avoids going to their usual hangouts and never goes to The Planet anymore. Kit and Helena are now the co-owners of The Planet and Tina doesn't even know about it. Her friends neither know the happenings in her life, except they assume that she's very happy living with Henry; living in the heterosexual world. But their friends are completely disheartened by her move. They resent her for deserting them.

Five months after the painful break-up, Bette starts travelling again, mostly to New York. She's planning to put up another art gallery there. She has no steady girlfriend although she had a couple of flings. It seems like she isn't ready for a serious relationship yet. Tina is still with Henry.

On the sixth month after their break-up, Bette and Tina accidentally meet at Angie's play group. Due to some miscommunications, the schedules of picking up Angie have been messed up. Bette thought she's the one to pick-up Angie and so did Tina. They're both surprised when they see each other. It's their first time seeing and talking to one another in person, being near each other since they separated. It feels so strange. They exchange their cold hellos and a few words about Angie. Bette looks good; she is poised and calm. Tina looks fine but a bit exhausted. The moment she sees Bette, she couldn't deny the fact that she still admires her, and she's still very much attracted to her ex-partner.

After that incident, the following week, Tina decides to pick up Angie herself from Bette's house. She happens to see Bette in the house but they exchange only very few words. Their small talk is still about Angie and nothing more. They avoid discussing any topics about their personal life and undertakings, and they try to be civil. But obviously, there's animosity. Both of them feel uncomfortable talking to one another. Tina doesn't stay long at Bette's house.

One evening at around 7PM at Tina's house, Angie keeps crying, having some tantrums. She has stayed with Tina for only two days, but she wants to go back to Bette's house. She's longing for her Momma Bee. Tina is getting impatient; she doesn't know what else to do to calm her down. She has tried everything, but Angie is a bit grumpy. Finally, she calls Bette.

When Tina calls, Bette is working on something, in front of her laptop. She can hear Angie crying from the background.

Bette: Hey Tina! What's up? Why is Angie crying?

Tina: Yeah, she's having tantrums. She'd been crying since this afternoon and I don't know what else to do.

Bette: What does she want?

Tina: She wants you. She'd been looking for you. I've tried everything to calm her down but she's not listening to me.

Bette: Is she sick?

Tina: No, she's not.

Bette: Then why?

Tina: I don't know. She was just playing this afternoon, but then she started bugging me. She asked me to bring her to your house so I told her I'll bring her to you this weekend. She started crying from then on, and now I can't make her stop.

Bette: Well, let her watch her favorite cartoons or let her play, or draw or give her the coloring books; keep her busy Tina.

Tina: Yeah, I already did that. She stops momentarily but once she remembers you, she starts crying again.

Bette: Put her on the phone and I'll talk to her.

Tina comes to Angie and lets her talk to Bette. Angie is still crying but no longer as loud as earlier. Tina puts the phone on speaker.

Tina: Hey Angie, Momma Bee is on the phone. Talk to her, come on. She's on the phone. Stop crying now.

Bette: Hey Angie! Baby, what's wrong? Why are you crying, huh? Momma Tee is there, she'll let you watch your favorite cartoons. Do you want to watch Bambi? Isn't Bambi your favorite? What do you want sweetie, huh? Do you want to color or draw? Tell me what you want baby.

Angie: Mommy... Mommy... Mommy...

She continues to cry piteously. As Bette hears her, she couldn't stand her piteous crying; she wants to comfort her under her loving embrace.

Bette: Tina, would you like to bring Angie to my house?

Tina: Okay. Come on sweetheart, we'll go to Momma Bee's house. Stop crying now. Come here, we're going to Momma Bee.

Bette: Tee, is Henry there? Maybe you could ask him to drive for you?

Tina: No, he's not here. It's just me and Angie.

Bette: I see. Okay then, just bring Angie here.

After hanging up, Tina and Angie immediately proceed to Bette's house. As Tina drives the car, Angie is peacefully sitting, relieved knowing that she's going to her Momma Bee's house. When they arrive, Tina hands in Angie to Bette but for some reasons, Tina can't look directly at Bette. They exchange a few words but the awkwardness is evident. Tina doesn't stay long; she leaves right away.

On the succeeding weeks, Tina fetches Angie regularly from Bette's house. She often sees her; she likes seeing her. When they see each other, Bette is always composed, while Tina is oftentimes flustered.

As the weeks pass by, as they often see each other even for a very short period, the animosity is little by little eliminated. Their conversation is improving, although they're still not discussing any personal matters. Angie is always the center of their conversation; talking about their new discoveries about their adorable daughter.

Though Tina regularly goes to Bette's house to pick up Angie, Bette never goes to Tina's house. She always lets her trusted nanny fetch Angie at Tina's house.

...

Continuation: Liberate Me