” Oh gosh, girl”, Kit said. No real reason. I just wanted to see the two of you is all. She then bounced Angelica up and down on her knee. The baby smiled and babbled something and Kit repeated, “bouncy, bouncy, bouncy”.

Tina got up and walked towards the kitchen. “Kit would you like something to drink”?

“No thanks, she replied, I have to get going”.

“Ah, so soon”, Tina exclaimed.

“Yeah, I have to be getting back to work. Work, work, work”! Kit said. “You know how it is”.

“I do”, said Tina. “Some days I really miss it”. She took the baby from Kit and sat her in her highchair. “But, I love spending my time with this little sweetie”. Then she kissed Angelica several times on her sweet little face. “I just love this little face”!

“Well girls, Auntie Kit has to go”, she said as she kissed the baby. Tina walked her to the door and kissed her cheek. “Now listen”, Kit said, “you and Bette talk it over. And if you decide it’s what you want to do, I’ll be here to take care of the little one. Ok”? she asked.

“Ok”, Tina replied.

“See ya later”, Kit said.

“Bye, Kit, Thanks for stopping in and thanks for the offer. I’m going to think about it”, Tina said as she waved good-bye.

It was almost 5pm when James knocked on the door to Bette’s office. “Come in”, Bette said.

James opened the door and stuck his head in. “Bette”, he said, “it’s almost 5 o’clock.

She was fumbling around with a stack off papers on her desk. “What”! she exclaimed. “5, it’s almost 5 o’clock? Okay”, she said, with a bewildered look.

“I’m heading out”, James said, “if it’s alright”?

“That’s fine”, Bette agreed.

” Good night”, James said, as he began to close the door.

“James”! Bette yelled out.

He pushed open the door. “Yes”? he inquired.

“You have a good night too”, Bette remarked as she flashed him a quick smile. He smiled at her and closed the door. Bette finished the work she was doing on the computer, sat back in the chair and took a deep breath. She glanced over at the clock, it now read 5:15pm. She gathered her things and headed out for the night. It was so quiet in the halls of the museum. For Bette, it was a sanctuary. It felt safe. She let the quiet surround her, as it had always filled her with such peace, and peace didn’t come to Bette as easily as it once had.