“Looks like you’ve been at this for a while,” Bette said, surveying the paper-strewn desk. “Why are you up so early? It’s Saturday.”

“I couldn’t sleep. I wanted to go over these bills. Bette, since when have our expenses gone up so much?”

Bette shrugged, shaking out her hair with a stifled yawn. “I don’t know. It’s the holidays, I guess.”

“Have you even looked at our balance? We need to figure out some cuts to make to our expenses.”

“Why? It’s not like we can’t afford it.”

“I thought Angie was getting her extravagant ideas about money from that school you insisted on, but maybe I was wrong. She’s probably getting it from you.”

“Now wait a minute,” Bette said, hand on hip. “I don’t appreciate that remark. If you’re still upset about her comparing our lifestyle to that of her classmates the other night –”

“I’m not upset!” Tina took off her reading glasses and tossed them on the desk. She rubbed her eyes and took a scalding gulp of coffee. “I’m just trying to figure this out.”

“Tina, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”

Tina looked up into Bette’s eyes and wanted to tell her the truth, but she couldn’t find the words. It would be like admitting a failure. She realized she was taking her stress out on Bette, and that wasn’t right. Of course Bette wasn’t concerned about their financial situation. She didn’t know any reason why she had to be. Money was at the root of many of the problems their relationship had suffered in the past, and Tina didn’t want to go down that road again. She would tell Bette what she needed to say when the time was right. After Christmas, perhaps.

“Nothing’s wrong. We’ve bought most of Angie’s presents. She’ll have a nice Christmas. I guess I don’t need to worry too much.” Tina smiled a little. “I’ve got your present, too. Just do me a favor and don’t go breaking the bank on mine, okay?”i

“How do you know I haven’t bought it already?” Bette asked with a raised eyebrow.