Alice stumbled out from the bedroom. "Wha?"

Tina quickly pulled the blankets around herself, and then wiped a tear from her cheek. "I’m sorry, Al. Bad dream, I guess."

"I guess," Alice agreed, stumbling in to the kitchen. "Want something to help you get back to sleep? I could open a bottle of wine. I might have something harder left over from that last party."

Tina’s hand subconsciously dropped onto the life growing within her. "Do you have any milk?"

From the kitchen she could hear the sound of the refrigerator opening. "Nothing that you’d probably want," Alice responded, "unless you’re into soy." Alice came out shaking the box of soy milk, waving it under her nose. "How do you tell when this has gone bad? It always smells bad."

She thrust the box towards Tina, who tried not to get a noseful of whatever Alice was finding offensive. Her stomach was off enough this evening, and needed no additional assistance. "I think I’ll just go back to sleep," Tina offered. She carefully laid back on the couch, maintaining and arm over her growing waistline.

"You know," Alice sounded tentative, and then took in a breath. "You know," she began again, the speed of her words increasing, "you might want to talk to someone about all of this."

Tina dabbed at the corner of her eyes with the pineapple-decorated sheets. "I want to go back for sessions, but I can’t afford them at present."

"That’s not what I meant." Alice’s face popped over the back of the couch. "I meant someone who can help you. A lawyer."

A lawyer. That would make things serious, make things real. Tina shut her eyes tightly. "I know what you’re saying, Alice. But if I don’t have money for therapy"

"Just go talk with someone. I’ve got a list somewhere. Lawyers that specialize in ***** matters."

"Alice."

"It doesn’t mean" Alice’s voice got quiet.

"It’s over?" asked Tina.

Alice gave her friend a smile. "Right, it doesn’t mean it’s over. It just lets you explore options."

"Explore options," Tina repeated. "I’ll think about it."

"For me?" Alice asked, a small sense of need in her voice.

Tina placed a hand over her friend’s and gave a squeeze. "Ok. Tomorrow. You give me the list, and I’ll make an appointment to see someone."

"Ok." Alice smiled. She hesitated for a moment, and then took a quick trip through the kitchen before heading back towards her room.

Once she was finally alone again, Tina could no longer hold in the wash of tears that had threatened. She had been finding it harder, at times, to retain her composure. Now, a lawyer? Had she and Bette truly reached that point?

Tina’s hand continued its soothing movements across her stomach. Perhaps it was necessary, not just for her, but for them, the three of them. Perhaps she did need someone else to be her voice.

The tears flowed freely now. How had it ever come to this?

(the end)