Bette:  Does this worry you, Daniel?

Daniel:  No…. it’s just the way life works.  At some point, everyone becomes an adult and does adult things like work and get their own home and have families of their own. It’s just the way it is. At least I think that is the way it’s supposed to work.

Bette:  Well, no matter what, even after you and Angie get your own home and have your own families, you will always be our son and Angie will always be our daughter and we will always love you and be available to you for whatever you need. You two will always be our family and your families will be our family as well. And nothing you can do to change that. We love you Daniel and we love Angie as well.

Daniel:  I’m getting hungry.

Bette:  Me too sweety.  We have a nice meat loaf dinner waiting on us. It will take just a few minutes to heat up and we will be eating.  Maybe you can help me by setting the table and getting us some drinks to go with our dinner.

Daniel:  Sure Mama…I can do that.

They arrived home and prepared the dinner and sat at the table together.  Bette was already missing Tina and Angie.  Dan was too.

Bette:  Sweetie, I’m going to clean up the kitchen and then I think I’m going to bed.  I know it’s early, but we have a long day tomorrow.  So why don’t you go and pack your knap sack for tomorrow and make it an early night as well.

Daniel:  What do I need to wear tomorrow?

Bette:  Wear a nice pair of slacks and a dress shirt.  If you want to wear a tie and jacket, that’s fine but that is up to you. It’s not necessary, after all you are not the one having the interview. Tuesday, you will need to wear a tie and jacket.  But you can remove them before you go into your test sessions.  You need to be comfortable for your test.

Daniel:  Thanks mom. But sometimes a tie and a jacket give me confidence. When I know that I look good, I feel good about myself.

Bette:  Tina is like that, too.

Daniel:  So are you and so is Angie. It’s a family trait.

Bette laughed:  I guess you are right about that.  It does give us confidence when we look good.

Bette began to clear the table after they were finished. Daniel decided to say goodnight before he went up to his room.  He went over and hugged his mother and she kissed him on his head. She told him that breakfast would be at 7 and they would leave the house at 8.  The traffic was always bad at that hour and since UCLA was located downtown, they needed a little extra time. Dan smiled and told his mother to rest well and then said if she needs anything, he would be glad to help.  Bette smiled. Sounded like Tina had talked to Dan about taking care of his mother just as she had told Angie to take care of Tina. She hugged him tighter and wished him a good night’s sleep.

Bette retired to her room, looked at her closet and decided what she would wear to her interview.  She then went and took a quick shower and proceeded with her night time routine.  She took a towel and placed it under the pillow in the event she experienced the dreaded night sweats. She then got out the pillow case from the drawer and put it on Tina’s pillow. She pulled it to her face and took a deep breath. She could smell Tina – her hair shampoo fragrance and her sweat after a exuberate love making session. She then laid it next to where she would lay her body.  She then got out her cell phone and sent a text to her wife.

T:  Its 10:15 here.  Going to bed with a special pillow.  Hope you are getting some sleep. I love you T.  Talk tomorrow. Bxxx

Bette crawled in bed, turned out the light and grabbed Tina’s pillow close to her chest so she could smell it.  Soon she was asleep.