“Do you want me to?”

“I’d rather you tell Kit first before anyone else, if that’s okay.”

“I want Kit to know first too.” Bette walked over to Tina. She held her hand out to her. Bette looked at her favorites list on her cell phone and dialed Kit’s number. She heard the cell ring and finally Kit.

“Hey, baby girl.”

“Hi, Kit…um…listen I wanted you know that I was in the hospital the other day.”

“What?! What happened? Are you okay?”

“That’s why I’m calling. I thought I was having a heart attack…

“A heart attack?! But you’re healthy. You eat right, you exercise…a heart attack?”

“Yes, Kit, a heart attack…too much stress with work and um…Andrea. The cardiologist said I need to take it easy, so I’m sort of vacation right now before the next semester begins.”

“So, you’re feeling better? No medication or anything like that?”

“I’m fine actually…never better. I have to take baby aspirin just in case, but I’m fine.” Bette looked over to Tina who was sitting on the bed. She gave her a small smile.

“Where are you? Are you still in the hospital?”

“No, I’m not at the hospital. I was discharged earlier this afternoon.”

“If you’re not at the hospital then where are you, home?”

“No, I’m not home either…um…actually, you’d never guess who was taking care of me at the hospital.”

“Baby girl, I don’t have time for 20 questions. Tell me where you are right now.”

“I’m with Tina actually,” Bette paused and waited for Kit’s response.

“Tina? Tina who?”

“How many Tinas do you know?”

“Well, there’s Tina Turner. I sang backup for her remember?”

Bette let out a chuckle. “No, not Tina Turner…although that may be fun.”

“Baby girl, the only other Tina I know is your Tina and you haven’t seen her in years….wait what did you mean I’ll never guess who took care of you at the hospital? Just who took care of you at the hospital?”

“Tina…Tina took care of me at the hospital…my Tina took care of me.” Bette walked over to Tina and reached for her hand. She gave it a squeeze.

“Tina Kennard took care of you at the hospital? At a New York City hospital? Your former partner took care of you…are you shitting me?”

“No. I’m not “shitting” you. Yes, she took care of me. In fact, I’m standing with her right now.”

“Shit…”

“Would you like to talk to her?” Bette asked her older sister.

“Yes, put her on.”

“Okay.” Bette held the phone out for Tina to take.

“Um, Hi, Kit…it’s Tina…um…how are you?” Tina asked as she bit her bottom lip, afraid of how Kit may react to her.

“Baby girl, is this really you?”

“Yes, Kit, it’s really me. Bette told me you’re touring. Where are you?”

“Yeah, I’m touring. I’m in Atlantic City…at the Borgata.”

“At the Borgata? Kit, we’re only about a hour from you.” She informed the talented singer.

“Well, then what are you waiting for. Come down and drag my boney ass sister down here so I can see for myself that she’s okay. I’ll leave two tickets at the box office for both of you. I’m going on in about an hour-and-a-half.”

“Okay, Kit. Here’s Bette.” Tina hand the phone back to Bette.

“Hey Kit.”

“Have that woman drive you down here… the both of you. I want to see for myself that you’re fine. Plus, I want to have a talk to your Tina. I’m going to leave two tickets for you. If you leave now, I can catch you before my show.”

“Okay. We’ll get changed. Okay, see you in a little while.” Bette shut her phone off. She looked at Tina. “I guess we’re going to see Kit in concert.”

tbc