“But, we’re doing just fine. We’ve got a lot, T. A lot more than most.” Bette frowned, the image of the homeless mother and daughter coming to the forefront of her thoughts once more. She wondered if they had found a place to sleep.

“That’s not the point,” Tina sighed. “There’s something…”

“Yeah?”

Tina shook her head. “Nevermind. Now isn’t the time for this discussion. I need to sleep. Goodnight, love.” She gave Bette a rather perfunctory kiss goodnight, snapped off her bedside lamp, and burrowed down into her pillow with her back to Bette.

Normally Bette would have pressed Tina to speak her mind, but tonight her head was elsewhere. She rolled over and turned out the light on her own bedside table and lay awake thinking. She was lucky, very lucky. It didn’t take much for a life to go off the rails. One unfortunate set of circumstances could lead to anyone being homeless, out in the cold with nowhere to go… She involuntarily shivered.

Angie might be getting some wrong-headed ideas, but that could be straightened out in time. Tina might have gone to sleep annoyed, but her mood would be considerably brighter in the morning, Bette knew. Before she dozed off she considered all the things she had to be grateful for, and briefly marveled at the fact that life had been so good to her. She resolved to do more for others. Next time she wouldn’t ignore someone in a desperate situation. Next time, I’ll do something, she thought as she drifted to sleep. Next time…

***

Tina was sitting in her home office, sorting through the bills and trying to control a rising tide of annoyance. Why were their expenses so out of control? They never seemed to be getting ahead, even with Bette’s salary. She logged into their joint account and frowned at the balance.

“Where is all the money going?” she muttered under her breath.

“What did you say?” Bette said. Tina looked up and saw Bette holding two cups of coffee. She set one of them down on the desk. “Morning.”

“Thanks,” Tina said, taking the coffee.