“Girl, you didn’t just ‘snap,’ you tore this place the fuck up.” Kit exclaimed, motioning around the bedroom with her hand. “Whose gonna clean it?”

Bette shrugged. “You think Sonya would mind?”

“You gave Sonya two weeks off, remember?”

Bette’s shoulders deflated. “Shit.”

Kit sighed and put the lunch on the bed. Putting her hands on her hips, she looked around and said, “We better get to work.”

Bette looked up at Kit, her eyes shining. “What?”

“My baby sister is not gonna live like an animal. Get up, we’re cleaning.”

Bette shook her head. “Kit, I’m really not in the mood–”

“Girl if you don’t get your ass up and start cleaning” Kit warned, walking over to Bette and gently pulling her off the bed. She looked into Bette’s eyes and moved a stray hair behind her ear. Pulling Bette into a tight but comforting hug, Kit said, “Come on. You’re strong; you can’t fall apart like this. Is this what you want Tina to come home to?”

“What makes you think she’s coming home?” Bette whispered hoarsely, her face buried in Kit’s shoulder.

———————————————————

Tina sat back against Alice’s tub, rubbing the beaded sweat from her forehead. It had been what seemed like the thousandth time she’d heaved and her stomach was starting to hurt. Shane watched from the doorway, her face the very picture of worry. Alice had gone out to the store to get the comfort essentialsice cream, booze, maybe some chick flicks, etc.

“T, I really think you should go to the doctor–”

“No.” Tina shook her head. “I’m okay.” Sensing Shane’s uncertainty, Tina slowly rose to her feet. “I swear. I’m feeling better already.”

“Tina, you’ve thrown up almost all day. That can’t be normal.”

‘Of course it’s not normal,’ Tina thought miserably. ‘Pregnancy never is.‘ Tears welled up in Tina’s eyes once again, as she remembered the life she was carrying inside of her. “Oh fuck.” She sniffled. What am I going to do now? I have no Bette, no job, no homeno Bette. “Oh fuck.” She repeated, placing her hand over her eyes, sobbing. In a matter of seconds, Shane was holding her, rubbing the back of her head, whispering soothing words in her ear.