Even now, lying in bed with Tina three months later, grateful that Angelica was allowing them to sleep in, Bette still could not recall the exact path that had brought them there.  She knew that Tina had come to check up on her in the hospital after she learned that Melvin was sick.  And she remembered Tina telling her that she was still seeing Helena.  But Bette was so wrapped up in caring for Melvin that she doesn’t even know how Tina came to be holding her at Melvin’s bedside, one of her few clear memories of that time.

It had been a rough night for Melvin.  Shelly, the nurse, warned them that there were difficult times ahead.  But nothing could have prepared Bette for the scene that unfolded before her.  Tina had come to take care of her, that much she knew.  She had brought food from Kit, and forced her to eat it.  Bette was so relieved to have Tina there, it was the first time she had felt safe since Melvin had collapsed. 

Melvin had never liked Tina, or at least what Tina represented.  He was always so rude to Tina, and it broke Bette’s heart every single time he called Tina “Miss Kennard” like some kind of stranger, or even worse, a casual acquaintance.  Bette knew that Tina had tolerated Melvin’s abuse for all those years because his approval meant so much to Bette.  Bette knew that Tina was terribly uncomfortable in Melvin’s presence.  So it surprised and amazed Bette when Tina wanted to stay with her while she watched over Melvin.  Tina could so easily have kept her promise to Kit by making Bette eat, and then left Bette alone. 

But, Tina didn’t just leave.  She helped Bette take care of Melvin that night, and sat with her by his bedside.  Bette almost thought she was dreaming when Tina pulled her close, holding Bette, and playing with her hair.  Bette and Tina had never shown much physical affection for each other in Melvin’s presence, and Bette could not describe the emotions she felt when Tina was willing to hold her in front of Melvin after Bette had shattered their life together.

Bette was so thrilled when Melvin looked at Tina, with her arms around Bette and tusseling her hair, and said “Now that’s what I want to see.  Promise you’ll take care of my girl.”  Tina had promised.  Bette felt like she had finally earned her father’s approval, and maybe even Tina’s love.  Then her heart dropped when Melvin told Bette to take good care of her mother.  Bette thought she had mistaken Tina for Bette’s mother, Maxine.  He then pleaded with “Maxine” to stay with “their little girl.”  Bette tried to comfort Melvin, but she was so exhausted herself.