“Bette? Come help me in the kitchen, please.”

Bette followed Tina into the hallway. As soon as they were decently out of earshot, Tina hissed in Bette’s ear, “What is going on? Who are they and why are they in my house?”

“I ran into them on the street.”

“Do you know her?”

“Not really. I’ve seen her around the neighborhood a few times. I introduced myself the last time I saw her.”

“So you just brought two strangers into our house on Christmas Eve? Lovely.”

“T, they have no place to go. I couldn’t just leave them out there. They’re okay, really. I talked to Danielle on the way home. I did some homework on a shelter that provides temporary housing for mothers with young children until something more permanent can be found. They’ve got space. I thought maybe before I sent her there we could give her and Harley some clothes or something. One of Angelica’s coats for Harley…”

“Okay, okay, I get it,” Tina said. “I’ll put on some tea and then try to get a bag and some other stuff together.”

Bette gave Tina a spontaneous kiss. “Thanks, T. I knew you’d understand.”

Tina stagger a little from the force of the kiss and chuckled in spite of her wariness. “Get out of here.” Tina watched her go and then put on a tea kettle. She made two cups of chamomile tea, put it on a tray, and brought it into the living room, then ran upstairs. She checked in on Angie, who was still engrossed in her book. She went through Angie’s closet looking for old clothes and anything warm for Harley. Angie finally lifted her head from her book long enough to ask what Tina was doing. Tina gave a quick rundown of the situation and asked, “You don’t mind sharing some of your old things, do you?”

“No, I want to help,” Angie said sliding off her bed. “Can I go downstairs and talk to Harley?”

“Sure, honey but try not to interrupt your Mama when she’s talking to Harley’s mom.”

“I won’t. Hey, mom?”