Tina:  Well, let’s keep this in mind. You know we want to go to her and Dylan’s place in Scotland next year. We do not want her paying for that.

Bette: You are right about that. Helena has a good heart and she means well. I just do not want to get into a habit of her giving us expensive gifts as some kind of exchange for our friendship. She and Dylan are our friends, period. I just do not want to feel beholding to her just because she has given us some kind of gift.

Tina:  I don’t think Helena sees the gift in that manner. She really does give because she wants to. She loves us and our family. We are her extended family and we always will be. And it’s not like she is going to have problems putting gas in her car as a result of this. We will keep an eye on her and we will talk to her.

Bette:  Yeah, perhaps you are right. Maybe I’m being overly sensitive when it comes to Helena. She really does mean well.

Tina:  Come on, let’s get the kitchen cleaned up. You wash the dishes. I’m going to put the pork roast on and get some of the vegetables cut up for tonight. I believe we are going to have some cucumber salad, fried okra and some Italian seasoned baked tomatoes. That and the rice and gravy should be enough. If we are late getting home this afternoon, some of this prep work will be done.

Bette and Tina began working together and doing what was necessary to get their kitchen in order.  Afterwards they headed upstairs and got their morning shower, made the bed with clean sheets and towels, checked Mary’s room for readiness. They did a walk through the all the guest rooms.  Bette asked if the house keepers were coming in on Friday. Tina confirmed that they would be there Friday morning and Sunday afternoon for both the houses. They would bring the keys for the house next door on Friday morning and picked them up on Sunday.

Bette and Tina decided to go sit in the living room and just talk a few minutes. This may be their last opportunity to have some alone time until they returned from New Haven in about 10 days. Bette took Tina’s hand and lead her to the couch and invited her to sit with her.