the serenity was broken by the sound of Toni slamming cabinet doors and clanking potsthroughout the kitchen. Bette sighed as she knew what was bothering her auntie. Bette downed the rest of her drink and somberly walked to the kitchen to quell Toni’s troubled mind just a little bit. She opened the door and saw Toni filling a pot with water, from the looks of the pot whatever it was, was going to be huge. Bette placed a soft hand on Toni’s shoulderas she raised herself up onto the counter to talk to Toni. She didn’t look up from the pot until she saw Bette bend towards her to capture her eyes. When she finally did she couldn’t but smile at her niece, even though she was going through a self imposed hell she still smiled like a three year old. Without a word she turned off the water and got the first aid kit from under the sink, she began cleaning Bette’s cuts. Bette didn’t need to say a word, she knew Toni forgave her for her brash and cold attitude.

"Momma would kill me if I let you get scars from this shit." Bette smiled at Toni knowing that was her way of saying sorry as well for her lack of understanding and impatience. Toni was carefully cleaning and blowing on her tiny cuts when Bette finally spoke.

 "It’s time Toni."

Toni looked up from Bette’s arm and asked, "Do you think she’s ready?"

"It’s not about her being ready. If it was up to her she’d be free now and shooting up somewhere. she needs to be where somebody can watch her and give her the proper therapy that she needs at this stage. I can’t put this summer on hold for her anymore."

"You miss her, uh?" 

"Like you wouldn’t believe." Bette breathed out smiling aagain at Toni.

"I’ll call the boys to come and get her. Can you call administration to let them know she’s coming." Bette nodded her head.

"Toni?"

"Yes, Sweetheart?"

"What are you cooking?" Bette asked astounded by the size of the pot still sitting in the sink halfway full of water. She turned her attention back to the pot and smiled knowing that the pot ws going to be way to much for the three of them eat out of.