“ok…just don’t take your anger out on things ok, swear…punch a pillow, silly willy”

Bette leaned forward and they kissed, savoring their peaceful moment before Kit came. They agreed to let her stay for three days at the most. Bette was going to looking for a place for Kit to stay until her court date. Bette left to pick her up, Tina decided to stay home.

            It was Hell already. Kit was coming down hard, the cops confiscated her heroin equipment and now she was crashing. Bette could see sweat forming on her face, see her getting pale…fidgeting, the way she held her stomach, feeling sick. Bette was talking, setting up the rules; no stealing….Bette and Tina had locked up most of their valuables. Bette said she trusted Kit to abide by the rules…if she did then she could stay for three days, until Bette found her a place, a cheap one like a hotel downtown. She felt calmer though, after her talk with Tina. It felt great just getting it out and being honest and honestly she felt much better. She had support, she wasn’t alone.

            Kit was hard to handle as soon as they got home. Tina had made her dinner, she was picking at it. Saying she was only a little bit hungry, she needed food though. kit looked gaunt. Bette sat at the table by her, and folded her hands, watching. Tina was in the other room making the bed. Bette and her sister didn’t say much to each other. They’re much to say. They hadn’t seen each other for years. Kit had commented that Bette grew a little taller; Bette didn’t say anything about her though. Bette was beginning to worry; Kit was starting to withdraw, or at least showing the symptoms. When Kit had finished she went into her room right away, Bette went to the bathroom. when she came out Tina was waiting with a towel under her arm. She told Bette she didn’t trust Kit, she was eyeing their stuff and had a weird look in her eye. Bette rolled her eyes; “of course she’s gonna she’s a junkie but she said she won’t do anything” Tina looked at her wide-eyed. “Are you nuts Bette? You just said she’s a junkie why would she bother keeping promises, of course she’s gonna say shit, just wait and see” Bette rubbed her eyes…”I’ll deal with it in the morning, im really really really tired right now ok, I promise ill deal with it in the morning” Bette turned to go into the bedroom but Tina caught her arm..”no Bette you deal with it right now, you should lock her in the bedroom or take her to a hotel I have a bad feeling” Bette whipped around, “why are you putting this all on my shoulders dammit?”  “Because she is YOUR sister, you said you would deal with, deal with it now!” Bette wanted to throw something again, maybe throw Tina. But she didn’t. She rubbed her eyes again and calmed herself down. “ok…ok I’ll go talk to her now”. Tina nodded and rubbed Bette’s arm. Bette went past her and knocked on the door, no response….she knocked again, and then she opened it. The window was open and Kit was gone. “FUCK!”  Tina came in…”What?”   “She went through the fucking window, check the rest of the house” Both of them went on a hunt through the house. “She didn’t take anything” Bette said after doing her search. But Tina came in the living room…”Yes she did…she took my watch, I left it on the table, stupid me…it was a Rolex too she’ll get a good price”. Bette cursed again shaking her head. Tina started to laugh…”this is great hahaha”. Bette looked at her; Tina saw a dangerous gleam in those eyes. “Why are you laughing?”   “Bette…”  They interrupted by knocking at the door.

            Bette answered it. It was a little girl wearing pigtails with a red dress and white leotards. Bette bent down at the waist and asked what was up. The girl’s mother was by the gate smoking a cigarette. The girl was holding papers and said she was doing the heart and stroke foundation pledges and would Bette like to make one. Bette reached into her pocket, pulled out her wallet…and pulled out a fifty. The girls face brightened like a light bulb…she took the fifty, put it into the envelope and thanked Bette. she skipped down the walkway and left with her bored-looking mom. Bette leaned against the threshold. A little reluctant to going back in. She breathed in the cold night air and though about what it was like being a kid. Hardship but nothing like this, she knew what carefree was like back then. She had wanted to hug the little girl. She didn’t feel sad, a little nostalgic. But Bette found herself wishing the girl would have a great life and not experience that much crap. Bette knew she would though. Everybody did. She closed her eyes, thing would get better. They would. Just hold on.

TBC