“Come on Tash fill me in what is it do I have a booger in my nose or something?”

“Nope.”

“Then what is it?”

“Nothing.”

“You know what I can’t with you right now, “she says disgustingly.

“Okay, okay it’s just I can’t stop thinking about how adorable that little girl was, “Alice immediately knew the direction the conversation was heading in.

“Tash, “she says in a flat tone.

“What!?”

“You know what can we not have this discussion right now?”

“What discussion all I said was how adorable the little girl was that’s all, “she says raising her hands in a surrendering gesture still smiling but it quickly faded when she saw the seriousness on Alice face.

“Al, I didn’t mean anything by it really the dimples, the missing teeth, her cute tennis outfit I was stating the, “Tasha cuts herself off as she could see and feel Alice growing more agitated as she continued to speak, “Look, I know how you feel okay, I’m sorry for saying anything I don’t want to ruin this great day were having so let’s talk about something else.”

“Tash, I’m not upset it’s just———.”

“I know Al, I know, “she says reaching across the table to hold her hand. A few minutes late a waiter came and took their order. After they ate they walked the reminder of the pier but it was too late the damage had already been done. Alice was no longer in the fun loving mood she was once in. Noticing the change in her mood Tasha tried her best to cheer her up but was unsuccessful. After returning from the pier she suggested they watch a movie on Netflix, Alice had other plans and retreated to their bedroom where she stayed for the reminder of the night.

When Alice awoke the following morning she was surprised to discover Tasha was not in bed next to her. In fact from the looks of things Tasha hadn’t slept in the bed at all. Getting up she opens the bedroom door and walks to the living room. There at the edge of the couch was a neatly folded blanket and a pillow sitting on top. Tasha had already left for work and the lingering scent of her cologne still filled the room. She had slept on the couch and Alice knew why. It wasn’t her intention to make Tasha feel bad but she had. The only time Tasha ever slept on the couch was when she felt she had upset her the only way she knew how to deal with it was to give Alice her space. Plopping down on the couch she immediately became overwhelmed with guilt like she had so many times before.