“You and Tina being separated won’t hurt?”

            “We are where we are.”  Bette said with a finality that was not lost on anyone.  I wasn’t expecting guests tonight but I have some steaks that are clogging up my freezer.  Should I take them out and fire up the grill?”

            “I’m in.” Shane grinned.

            “I’m in.” Alice nodded.

            “Me too and Angus” Kit agreed.

            “If you let me take a quick shower I’m in too.  Are the steaks from the service we had?  They have some tender cuts.” 

            “Yeah, I thought I stopped the service but the deliveries keep coming every month.” She cooked very little on her own and the time Angelica spent with her did not require serious cooking.  She would throw the packages in the freezer and give them to Shane or Kit if they happened to stop by when she was looking in the freezer and they caught her eye.

            “They are cod, Bette; they are delivered with a bill.”  Tina looked at her. “How did you stop the service?”

             Bette frowned as she remembered the good-looking redhead who tossed her the package of steaks after finding out the blonde who she usually dealt with was no longer there.  There was a suggestion of cooking them for her and Bette had walked away disgusted.  She had more than enough come on’s that evening.

            Tina watched as Bette remembered her encounter with the red head and knew the answer before Bette did. Tina waited until Bette figured it out and just looked at her.  Bette felt her face flush and hoped that no one else saw it.   ‘I don’t think there will be a bill, the plan is to take it out in trade.”  Tina walked away.  Bette always underestimated her impact.  Still it stung, it was over five months that Tina had moved out and paid for steaks. 

            “Trade?  What is she talking about?” Kit asked perplexed.

            Bette did not answer.  “Who’s going to help me throw dinner together?”

            “I will.” They all said in unison.

            It was like old times.  Everyone took a job and position preparing the evening meal.  By the time everything was prepared and the grill was ready Tina reappeared in blue jeans and a loose fitting yellow shirt that brought out the hazel of her eyes.  Bette stopped for a moment as Tina stood before her barefoot in the kitchen asking what she could do to help.  Tina’s fresh scent after the shower hit Bette like a ton of bricks. 

            “Everything is done.  Why don’t you open some wine and sparkling cider for Kit and yourself.”  Tina was still nursing and was not drinking much alcohol. 

            Tina moved around the kitchen with ease and again the lump rose in Bette’s throat seeing the naturalness of her movements.  Tina sensing Bette’s gaze looked up quizzically.  She smiled at Bette and went about her task.  Bette turned away and pretended that she was ok. 

            There was much laughter at the grill and over dinner.  Anyone surveying the scene would be hard pressed to see anything amiss. The only clue that things were not as they should be were the glances that were cast in the direction of the blonde and brunette and those that they stole at each other when they thought no one would notice.