Tina pulled out a blanket and pillow for Shane.

She returned to the bedroom and there she was, her Bette, asleep.

Her beautiful Bette with a puffy red face from crying, rumpled in her wrinkled clothes, sleeping calmly like a little child.
It suddenly felt quiet, there was a moment of calm.
Tina was exhausted, and still completely in the dark
This had all come out of nowhere – well, at least, out of nowhere to her.
She couldn’t fathom what had happened to set Bette off this way. .
She laid down very softly facing Bette, careful not to wake her..
They had been such good partners since the baby was born.
She felt so solid, so happy about it. .
Bette worked overtime trying to re win Tina’s trust, and although Bette sometimes doubted it -she had.
Even after the affair, Tina knew who Bette was. .
She knew she had made a mistake.
She knew that Bette regretted it.
And Tina knew she loved her.
Here was her beautiful Bette, limply lying here beside her.
The soft and sad Bette that Tina had rarely seen before last year’s drama.
She was so lovely.
She looked so – exposed.
Tina brushed the hair from Bette’s face, and felt the softness in herself – she loved her. This was her girl.
Oh baby, she said – my baby.
At that moment she wished she could wrap her up in her arms and snuggle her into herself.

Bette seemed to sleep soundly that night, Tina slept in her clothes next to her. When she woke up memories of the night before began flickering inside her sleepy brain.
She went in to Angie’s room to check on her, she had slept like a little angel all night and was still asleep. On the day bed next to her crib, was Shane fast asleep with her boots on.
Shane was such a good friend to them both. Tina was so happy that she was living across the street. She was the only one of all their friends that had been able to stay close to both of them during their breakup – and now with Angie, Shane seemed intent on being in her life, she was so tender with her.
Tina walked up to the bed and rubbed Shane’s cheek – Shane, she whispered, wake up – we need to talk.
Tina went into the kitchen to make tea and Shane joined her.
They talked about the night before. Tina told her what had happened before she got there, and they tried to figure out what could have caused Bette’s meltdown.
Tina didn’t want Bette to wake up alone, so as she started for the bedroom, Shane said:
Hey listen, I’m not working today and have nothing going – how about I hang with my little buddy Angie and you and Bette have the morning to yourselves?
You’ve got to be beat, and you two will need time to talk.
Tina thought about it for a minute – and then looked at Shane and smiled her most loving smile at Shane –
I won’t forget this Shane. You are such a good friend