“Well it’s finally over.”

“Oh, how did it go?”

“A lot faster than I thought. It was horrible, we fought for a few minutes and he kind of flipped when I told him I wanted more kids. He never wanted them, and I really do. I handed him the papers, and I got them back all signed yesterday.”

“Wow. That was really fast. How was work yesterday? Was there much tension?”

“Oh yeah about that,” she said as the waitress dropped her food off, “thanks.”

“What happened Tee? Did he say something to you?”

“No, he took a week off work, but not before Aimee told everyone in the ICU what happened. So everyone was looking at me accusingly and my two good friends Joan and Jessica were talking shit.”

“Aw baby, I’m so sorry. How did you handle it? Can they transfer you to another floor?”

“Well, I told them off and went to Oscar. I quit, sent him my resignation yesterday. So as of right now I’m jobless.”

“Awww Tee, that sucks. You’ll find something in no time. You are one of the greatest and most loving nurses I’ve ever seen.”

“Thanks sweetheart,” she said and ate her food, “did I mention I’m homeless as well?”

“Tee, seriously, he’s making you move out?”

“No, but I want to be out before he gets back from where ever he’s at. So I’m gonna go look at small lofts.”

“Tina, seriously a loft?”

“Yes. I have to stay in budget, I can’t afford anything big yet. School’s almost over and I have to think about daycare or a babysitter for Jackson. And I’m not sure how this whole thing with Eric and I is gonna work. We have to work out custody issues, and I’m not sure if I should ask for child support.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know, when we fought, he made a remark that kind of hurt me.”

“What was it?”

“I know he loves Jackson, but, he said he didn’t want children, he never did. How he wanted his freedom back. And I don’t know, it makes me almost feel like he regrets having Jackson in his life.”

“Oh Tina, I’m sure it was the heat of the moment, I don’t think he meant that in the sense of regretting Jackson.”

“I don’t know. All I know is I am super scared of what’s next. All I’ve ever known was him, and now I’m scared of being out there alone and being a single mother.”

“You’re not alone. You don’t have to do this alone,” I said and Tina sighed and sat back and closed her eyes, “come live with me.”

“What,” she asked, her eyes shot open, “no, I can’t, that’s not what I was getting at.”

“Tina, I am being serious, move in with me. We’ve known each other a while now, we like each other, you’ve stayed at my home before.”

“I don’t know Bette, isn’t it a little soon?”

“I don’t think so. Listen, I’m in that empty house day in and day out. It’s missing something.”

“What?”

“You. It’s missing you. Ever since we met, I’ve dreamt of waking next to you each morning or late afternoon,” I said winking, “I’ve dreamt of filling my home with our children and now that I have that opportunity, I won’t let you pass by. I won’t let you go.”

“You really think about things like that,” she asked smiling.

“All the time.”

“This is crazy, I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes,” I said moving to the chair next to her, taking her hand, “nothing would make me happier than to have you with me forever. I would love for you and Jackson to share my home. Tina I love you.”