Part 7-

Why dont you let me take care of all the details, Kit started when Bette begun to get flustered and anxious, since your day is going to be so hectic. Cmon baby sis, you have to start sometime being the new and improved Bette Porter. Trust me, I want you and Tina to be just as happy as I am. So, there is no way I am leaving anything to chance. Itll be my number one priority.

Hanging-up the phone, Kit joined Ivan on the couch and told her all about the conversation she just had with Bette.

I was thinking about going to that little out-of-the-way Chinese restaurant. You know the one that has the old world herbalist, that created our special dinner and all the extra enhancers? Kit started.

Ivan got a smirk on her face and a fore telling glimmer in her eyes as she remembered.

Youre have to seem him first thing in the morning. You know he needs to know their story. Our special evening was well prepared, as you well know, and he really knew what he was doing. ***** cook the meal himself; provide the ambience, and any extras to guarantee success. However, their situation will require a little something different, but ***** know what to do. He has been doing this kind of thing for most of his 86 years on this plane of existence, Ivan rattled-off.

7 am the next morning Kit stood in an alley facing an old style reinforced door. Checking the number on the door against the numbers on the paper strip she held bewilderedly in her hands; she did not even notice his approach.

Come in, tell me all about how I can help you, and Ill provide you with almost all you need for success, the little Chinese man, standing only 5 even, stood facing Kit at her right side startled the soul singer.

Never loosing a beat he simply opened the door, entered, and stood next to it gesturing for her to enter. Kit walked in confused at how this herbalist seemed patient, calm, and not in the least bit guarded by her. She was a stranger after all.

When she existed the establishment, she checked her watch for the first time since just before the man made his presence known. It was 10 am, 3 whole hours of her telling him all about Bette and Tinas situation, all the while he gathered ingredients and put things to boiling with others sizzling. He had listened attentively, never interrupting, and patiently. When she was finished instructing him of the importance of the evening. He handed her these 2, 1 gallon jugs filled with a herbal tea needed, a key ingredient (of course, all were key-none couldnt be left out. According to the Chinese herbalist) to the success of the evening, one would be consumed by Bette and the other by Tina.

Come back in 7 hours and Ill have everything all ready to go, the man instructed Kit as he saw her out.

Kit rushed to the CAC and gave the first cup of the mojo tea to Bette.

Mmmmmmmmm, Good! What is this and where did you get it, Bette inquired and then proceeded to down the rest of the cup and go for her first re-fill.

With amuse lilt, Slow down baby sis, try and make it last for the rest of the day. By the way, get all your work done today because tonight is going to be extra special.

Kit left promptly and rushed right over to Tinas. Tina had taken the day off since she was going to be seeing Bette again for the first time in over 10 and half months. Tinas reaction was the same as Bettes and Kit had to get her to slow down too. Kit left after reminding Tina to be at the house by 6 pm.

It was now 11 am as walked in to inspect Sonjas expert work. Sonja had out done herself, she showed up at 8 am, as Bette was pulling out of the driveway. Normally, she would only be there for an hour (she came 6 days a week) to do touch up work to keep the place in an almost state of perfection, the old Bettes standards. But today Sonja had been instructed by Bette that everything had to be beyond perfect. She could tell by the tone in her employers voice that it was a make or break type deals. Knowing the situation, giving that Tina wasnt around and personal touches of Tina either would disappear or cease coming in altogether, not to mention Tinas garden had gone to *****, Sonja WANTED to do everything in her power to put the love back into this house, that she so used to love to come on a near daily basis, even if it was to maintain a level of perfection that Bette insisted upon. Without Tina the house, was just that-a house. If, Tina returned then itd be a home again. A home full of love and made you feel welcomed. Sonja had actually felt like she was a part of this family. Thus, even though Bette paid her very well, Sonja felt like she had a personal obligation. So, when shed clean the house to Bettes standards, Sonja would put her love for this family into her job. Bette hired her just over 4 years ago, but it was Tina that had been there the first day she had cleaned the place. The first couple of weeks was about getting the house to meet Bettes standards, and them from then on the 6-days a week 1 hour touch ups is all it took for Sonja to maintain Bettes standard. She worked a total of 6 hours a week. But, Bette paid her like she worked 40 hours, like the first 2 weeks required. That first day, Tina was so warm and welcoming. Showing Sonja where she stored all the cleaning materials, Tina had disappeared to The Planet for over 3 hours, returning at 11:30 am with an incredibly delectable lunch and had invited Sonja to join her poolside. They had engaged in a friendly conversation that had lasted over an hour and a half. When Sonja had went back to work at 1 pm, Tina worked from the desk in the dinning room, out of Sonjas way. It wasnt until a year and a quarter ago, that Sonja would see Tina on a regular basis.

Tina had agreed to keep Sonjas secret, that she only had to clean an hour a day (thats all it took, Sonja was that good). Feeling that Bette had impossible standards and could be absolutely unbearable if/when she thought she was being ripped off. Which to Tina was a laughable oxymoron, considering Bettes ego, control-freak nature, and power hungry attitude. The woman had to be in control and she had to have everyone (professionally speaking at least) under her. Bette would spend outrageous amounts of money for ALL THE VERY BEST OF EVERYTHING just to maintain that image. Oh, what a scared little girl with a pathetic self-concept that needs daddys approval, to keep everyone under her spell-thrown temper tantrums and acting out when she doesnt get her way and me to stroke her precious, fragile yet huge ego when its slighted in the least. Tina thought to herself, knowing her wife all-too-well. Bette would be absolutely impossible if she knew how easily and effortlessly Sonja has to work at keeping our home in her required state of perfection. Of all that time she spent at home looking for work, how the ***** did she not notice? Oh, Yeah! This is Bette Porter we are talking about here. The woman cant process two things at once. Whatever is the most important takes center stage until the end of the show. We all know nothing and no one but Bette takes center stage when shes around. She directs and stars in her own one-woman show. Occasionally shell be able to get outside of herself and relax. However mostly we know who is number one, especially when shes around. If, I didnt love her so damn much; I wouldve left her within 6 weeks of first going out with her. Thats how long it took for to show me the real Bette Porter. Yeah, its diffintly better to let Bette live in her little misguided world as far as Sonja is concerned. Geez, Bette puts forth such effort into her image that it would just demoralize her altogether if she knew how effortlessly the rest of us have it. No, its better to leave Bette in the dark.

Thats how it had been up until this last May, when the ***** hit the fan. Sonja still came and did her job. However, the house was no longer a home. Without Tinas love and attention, the place became like a meat-locker. Freezing and devoid of any emotion that made it a home, that was why when Bette had waited for her the other morning and explained the situation. Sonja made a silent promise to Bette (the first time ever, that Sonja felt like she owed Bette any form of honesty), that if she got Tina to back to her and make the place a home again. That shed go the extra mile and put her loving attention into maintaining it with her loving devotion. That if Bette really was going to work on growing up and living up to her full potential. Then, Sonja felt than yes, Bette would be worthy of her respect and Bette would no longer be just her employer but a friend and someone shed be glad to call family.

Therefore, the last 2 days Sonja has literally cleaned the inside and outside, top to bottom, in-between every nook-cranny and every crack and crevice. Sonja filled the place with her love, her faithfulness, and her hope for all their futures.

Kit came right as Sonja was working herself into a worried frenzy, having just finished her 10th full inspection to find the place beyond even Bettes standards of perfection.

Whoa! Girl, relax. Its perfect, Kit put her hand on the womans shoulder that was on the verge of hyperventilating.

But Ms. Kit, it must be a home again. Ms. Tina must come home. I must make sure of that, Sonja taking on the responsibility fully.

Kit laughed and said, Sonja, its not your problem. Its up to Bette to make Tina want to come home, again. We can only do what we can. Youve done your part. Ill do my part. Come back at about 4 pm to make sure ONE last time everything is clean. However, do not mess with my decorating okay.

Sonja got into her car, still looking a little anxious, but drove off anyway. Sighing a breathe of relief, looking at her watch and noticing it was now 1 pm, Kit grabbed the large box of candles to start the 2nd mojo for the night of success. Not wanting to leave the place un-attended for so long, Kit proceeded to ensure no interruptions would happen tonight. She un-plugged the phone, turned down the volume on the answering machine, and slid it underneath the shelf of the kitchen top. She called Alice, Dana, and Shane to tell them not to disturb under any circumstance whatsoever. Threatening them with actual bodily harm. In case of Alice the mouth she used the promise of death by the very most slow and agonizing manner possible.

Then, Kit called Franklin to arrange a special surprise if everything goes as planned. Franklin said hed talk to James himself, after Bette left for the night. Afterwards, she called Oscar to arrange for Tina to have some time off, if everything is a success tonight. Having done all this by 2:30 pm and the aromatic mixture finally enveloping the house, Kit decided to go for a drive to investigate the last possible interruption and yet the one that could forever destroy any hopes of Bette and Tina ever reuniting, working things out, and living happily ever after. A loose end, a rouge anomaly. The name hadnt been mentioned in over 10 months. The person hadnt been trying to make contact in 9 months, apparently having giving-up. But, since no formal means of closure had been established, Kit had to ensure this danger was not present and defused entirely. Knowing the possibility that her intervening and confronting this person could re-ignite the dynamite, thus inadverntly poisoning the success of tonight. Kit knew she had to proceed carefully and make certain of what she says.

Having driven 20 minutes, she now looked up at the beach house that was clearly under renovation. She took note of the aqua-blue El Camino as got out of her car. Walking past the ugly thing, she proceeded along a narrow, winding path of stairs that led to the house. Finally, seeing her objective, was the woman Kit came to see. Working by herself, atop of a open section of the roof, steadying herself on her knees, she was busy driving a nail into another support beam in front of her. Entering through a plastic sheet flapping open for her, Kit heard the hammering stop and the ringing of a cell phone and from behind a secluded safety of a short, dividing wall Kit listened to Candaces side of the conversation. Hoping beyond all hope that it wasnt Bette on the other end of the line.

Hey, babyYeah, a panic for dinner would be greatSunset from the cliffs just north of here will be incredibly beautiful. Especially, with you and Athena to experience it withSure come by here first and Ill show how far long I am with our future home..I love you, YolandaI am sure glad we found our way back to each other, again..*kiss** kiss*

Kit shocked to realize she need not worry, peeks up to see Candace expertly, blindly holster her cell phone. In that moment, that was when Kit saw a thick, white gold wedding band on the womans left hands ring finger. Turning around to make a stealthily, espeediently escape. Kit couldnt help but glimpse the beaming smile of contentment that radiated across the carpenters entire face. Then, she heard it carried to her on the wind, softly being sang. You are my sunshine. She didnt stick around to listen. As she returned to her car, Kit made a silent plea to the heavens that Candace, Yolanda, and Athena to be the happy family they currently are, forever and ever.

It was 3:30 pm when Kit returned to the house entering she opened the patio doors and all the windows as instructed. Leaving the incense to burn themselves out, the pop ere to simmer, and the scent of the cooling wax of the candles to subtly become a distinctive scent in the place and to settle and surround the house out and onto the street while evading the neighbors yards. To gradually wafe out of existence.

When Sonja returned a little before 4 pm, was when the West Hollywood skies began to become overcast. Sonja made one last, but careful, once over. When Sonja left at 4:15 pm it began to sprinkle, by 4:30 pm it was a light but steady rain that was lightly dousing the streets, sidewalks, and driveways.

Kit showed right after 5 pm with the herbalist meeting her at the door with a wagon with one large box of the dinner, some more of the mojo tea but it seemed more concentrated and it had instructions to heat it then add 2 (min) drops of this thick syrupy stuff when the tea reaches boiling and to let it sit for 5 minutes at least before serving. Then, finally there was this soft, leather overnight satchel.

..Place the satchel somewhere easy to find but not in plain sight, near the dinning area. Do not look in it, Do not tell either of them, Do trust that the one meant to find it and use whats inside will, the herbalist finished, starting to close the door.

Wait! How much do I owe you, Kit queered, not understanding.

True love and eternal happiness is payment enough, with that he was gone behind the door.

TBC.