***

Tina
sat on the edge of the bathtub soaking her feet in cool water.  The door to the bathroom was open and Bette
looked in as she finished her phone call with James.

Tina
inspected the sole of her left foot.

            Hows it look?  Bette asked, peeking her head in the door.

            One blister, lots of sore spots.

            Bette thought for a moment.  Ill be back, she said.

            Where are you going?

            Drugstore. 

Tina
heard the door close.

***

My
God Bette, is there anything left at the store?

You
cant fool around with blisters, they can get infected.  Bette begins to unload the contents of the
bag and line them up next to the sink. 
Methodically and with great purpose she removes several boxes of
band-aids in various sizes, gauze pads, adhesive tape, moleskin, antiseptic
ointment, cream and spray and one shiny, oval stone.  Tina leans over and picks up the stone, then looks up at Bette
for an explanation.

Healing
crystal.

Um

May
as well cover the bases.  Besides, it
was on sale.

Oh,
a discount crystal.

Bette
smiles.  Why dont you dry off your
feet and Ill help you put some stuff on?

Bette
sits on the floor and brings her knees up so that Tina can prop a foot on them.
Lets see the one with the blister first, Bette says.

Tina
raises her left foot and places it on Bettes knees for treatment.

Bettes
face scrunches up.  Ooo, its
big.  She studies the sole of Tinas
foot and gently places her hand over the arch. 
She can see the sore spots, the redness and the toes.  Shes lost for a just a moment gazing at
those toes.  Unconsciously, she leans
forward and kisses Tinas foot. 

            An electric charge surges up Tinas
leg and stops with purpose half way up her body.

Bettes
eyes grow wide and she looks up quickly to apologize.  She sees Tinas pink cheeks and slightly opened mouth and knows
that her gesture was welcomed at least in part.  She apologizes anyway.

            Tina reaches out and touches Bettes
cheek with her fingertips.  Its okay.

Bette
closes her eyes for a moment to savor the feeling of Tinas fingers on her
cheek.  Tina lowers her hand and Bette
opens her eyes and looks around distractedly for some supplies.  She gently treats the blister with antiseptic
and just the right size protective pad.

            Ok, next foot.

            Tina raises her right foot to
Bettes knee, all the while watching Bettes attentive expression and melting
slowly with each tender touch on her feet.

            There I think thats good for now.

            Tina lowers her foot.  Bette swings her knees around to the front
so that her back is against the tub. 
Tina slides down to a sitting position next to her.  Thank you, that was really sweet.

            Youre welcome.  Oh, that reminds me, I have one more treatment
for you.

            Bette reaches for the bag and
removes what looks like another box of bandages.  She opens it and removes one. 
When she tears the wrapper Tina sees that it is no ordinary bandage.

            Chocolate she whispers.

            Bettes face lights up and she holds
the unwrapped treat up for Tina to take. 
Tina leans forward and folds her lips gently around the chocolate.  Bettes mouth opens slightly in surprise.  Tina looks at Bette and smiles coyly.  As she chews, she turns herself around to
face Bette.

Smoothly
she leans forward and kisses Bette, bringing the sweet taste of chocolate to
her lips.