**Tina enters the kitchen**

uuuuuuggggggggghhhhhhh, Bette, It stinks in here. Don’t you smell that? Is it the litter box or the trash? Have you scooped the box or emptied the trash?

Well no, no I haven’t. I thought you were going to take care of that while I am still recovering from surgery.

Aaaarrrrggghhh. Fine. You do know that I have a student this morning for a private photography lesson. She’ll be here in 20 minutes, can you help me out here.

Uuuuhhhhh, OK. Do you want me to light a scented candle?

Do something, open the window; light a candle or something.

Fine, I’ll do that. If you take the trash bag from the can, I’ll take it out.

**Tina’s thinking to herself**

Well that didn’t go very well, now did it? How can I expect her to want to talk to me, much less live with me for all of her days if I emerge as a tyrant first thing in the morning.  I am going to say something to her to make it better; but what? What can I say that will open the door to a productive discussion; a rejuvenating discussion? When she comes back inside, I’ll just ask her to sit with me; to talk with me over a nice dinner tonight and remind her that I still love her and need her.

**Bette returns from taking the trash out**

Uh Bette?

Yes?

Uumm, did you have breakfast yet? Damn, I am such a chicken shit. Why didn’t I ask her to dinner like I planned not two minutes ago? We have been together so many years, why can’t I just ask her, tell her, plead with her to talk to me; to help me fix this.

Uh, No.

Would you like some?

No thanks.

Well, you really should eat something? You have to eat well while you’re still recovering.

No, thank you.  I don’t want anything.

**Bette begins to walk away**

As she’s walking away, I ask – are you sure? I can cook for you or get you some cereal.

**Bette begins to ascend the stairs without looking back**

 She repeats no thank you. I’m not hungry. Have a good class, I’ll be upstairs if you need anything.

Well that was a joke, wow, I really messed that up this morning. We can’t start many more days like this. There is no feeling, no nothing. It’s almost like she expects me to be bitchy; like she’s given up on me and on us. I guess she should expect me to be bitchy; I am so struggling with my attitude right now. I used to be able to blame her because she didn’t have the sunniest of dispositions to say the least. Now, the tables are turned. She doesn’t deserve the way I’ve been treating her. Damn, what do I do now? Looks like I have more questions than I have answers.

I have no idea what to do. I’ll talk to her later, something has to give. What’s it going to take? I’m losing it here.

**Tina’s student arrives**

Hi – come on in. I’m giving her a smile that I don’t mean. I really want to slam the door in her face and run upstairs; screaming at the top of my lungs and beg Bette, My Bette to help me, save me, and protect me like she used to. Instead, I hear myself say – Let’s get started.