Bette had contacted a local ice cream shop near the center to make the initial delivery which she paid for. She explained that the only information that she wanted the delivery person to give Tina was to say Act X. When the proprietor asked her what it meant she explained her acts of love and kindness. Bette later found out that the proprietor of the ice cream shop never charged her credit card for the first purchase and that he had made subsequent deliveries to the center during those hot summer months free of charge and unsolicited.

***

Every month Tina received a Gourmet Gift Basket. They varied each month so she never knew what to expect or how it would be delivered. It could be a Spa Basket, Wine and Cheese, or Fresh Fruit and of course her favorite Chocolate & Sweets. Sometimes they came to her office, or to the house, or she would find them in the passenger seat in her car, or someone would come up to her on the street as she was leaving a store or the office and hand it to her.

Bette didn’t forget Angie in all of this so she also sent Balloons & Bears gifts to Angie and sometimes she just sent flowers to say I’m thinking about you or I love you. She always signed the cards Act XI.

***

Knowing how much Tina enjoyed getting pampered Bette registered them for a Couples and Partner Massage Class. The class was based on simple easy-to-learn Swedish and sports massage techniques. According to the brochure it was designed to help couples to share the nurturing, relaxing, and therapeutic benefits of massage with each other. Like everything that Bette does she soon perfected her techniques and after a while Tina stopped going to the spa for treatments on Saturday mornings and instead enjoyed her partner’s personal touch in the privacy of their home. All she had to do was ask for Act XII and Bette would know what she meant.

***

One morning when Tina was running late and had forgotten to put gas in the car the night before Bette told her to take the Saab and she would fill the tank and deliver the car to the center later that day. Tina thanked her and went about her day. Bette arrived at the center at lunch time. She called Tina from the parking lot to see if she had time to have lunch with her. Tina said she would be right out. When she got to the parking lot not only had Bette filled her car with gas but she had it completely serviced including a wash and detail inside and out. This was Act XIII. Big or small the acts were thoughtful and much appreciated.