Bette: We may not be so lucky next year with Daniel’s school. But we will deal with that when it gets here. Oh, listen, the music is on. You better go get your lesson on how to operate the system. Pay close attention to the on and off and the volume control.

Tina:  Yes, mam! I need to be able to hear my phone when I’m painting. Thank you, Bette, for this.

Bette:  Hey, we did this together. You enjoy it. And invite me to visit once in a while.

They hugged and kissed.

Tina: Bette? You’re not wearing a bra, are you?

Bette:  No… forgot about that. Does it bother you?

Tina:  Oh, no… makes you more irresistible.

Bette:  Let’s get going. Daniel needs to get home. This is a nice place for you to work Tina. I hope you’re okay with it. You will be spending a lot of time by yourself.

Tina: If I’m busy, I won’t even notice. Of course, you and Daniel may want me to take a part time job so that I don’t talk your ears off.

Bette: We love you T.  And whatever you have to say, I will gladly listen. I’m not going to speak for Daniel. But if you feel you need to have a little more social interaction, you can do whatever you want to do. But I think we are going to have a busy fall and Mom is going to be with us for a while. So, I think we are going to be busy most of the time. As you always tell me. Let’s not anticipate problems. If we see something developing, we will handle it as it comes. And we will do it together.

Tina: Yeah… we will. You are so perfect for me… come on.  Let me talk to Daniel about this music system.

Bette continued to look around. It was so much more than she imagined. It was Tina through and through. She would be comfortable here and she would be safe.

Tina finished her lessons with Daniel and believe she could manage without him. She went through turning out the lights and she grabbed her now empty suit case and headed to the garage. She then drove back to the beach house.