Bette:  Not really. I just always believed that you could make your own decisions and you knew what is best for you. And to insist that you do something is disrespectful of you. I love you Tina and I respect who you are and that you are fully capable of making your own decisions and choices. My job is to support you and to work with you as a partner and as a spouse. And if you want my advice or counsel, you ask for it. And I will do the same. But I know that anything we share together, I have a duty to get your advice and opinion on it. At least anything major. And I have learned that not only do I have a duty to do so, I very much want to get your opinion on it.  I learned that a long time ago. I depend on you and I trust your judgement. You have talents and insights that I simply do not have. And without you, I’d be a lost soul.

Tina:  But we do not always agree on things.

Bette:  No, not always. I have to present the best case I can and still allow you to make up your mind on things. If you do not come to my way of thinking, then I have to…. Dare I say it? Compromise. I had no idea what compromise was until I met you.

Tina was laughing. She too had learned the art of compromise, of negotiation and most of all how much, she too, depended on Bette for advice and counsel.

They arrived at a nearly empty Walmart and began their shopping. They ended up with two carts full of the things they thought they needed. Then they went back in to pick up a few groceries. They found a large beef roast, some new potatoes, carrots, onions, summer squash, some salad fixings, and things for Monday evening as well. Tina said she would go to Whole Foods on Monday or Tuesday and get the foods she wanted to prepare for the week.

They arrived at the house at 7:30. They quickly unloaded the car and then stocked each of the bathrooms with a supply of paper good, soaps and a trash can with a liners. They even included the cabana bathrooms. So, if they had unexpected company, at least they believed they would be ready. The exception was the towels still needed to be received and unpacked. Tina decided to get the roast ready to put into the oven on Sunday. But she had no knives or vegetable peelers to start the vegetables. Bette was busy washing their prior days clothes and the towels from the studio. She really liked the washer and dryer in the house. It was a new stack type models and each was extra-large and could handle comforters and blankets with ease. Bette really liked that.