No I think that Ive got it. Why dont you just relax and keep me company. Tina replied busying herself with chopping up some celery and throwing it into her pan.

Bette watched Tina, for a moment forgetting about her incessant curiosity and just enjoyed the fact that Tina was home and cooking dinner in their house with their daughter sleeping only a few feet away. So when will your family be arriving? Bette asked finally breaking the building silence.

I think my mom said sometime this weekend. I have to call her back later to get details. My parents are getting a hotel room for their stay, but I thought that my sisters could stay here. If its okay. Tina looked up from her cooking to gauge Bettes reaction.

You live here Tina, anybody that you want here is welcome. How long will they be staying?

A week maybe. My mother will want to take me shopping and spend time with the baby. You know how she is.

Tina do you think we can handle this right now?

Well, we better. I couldnt very well tell them that it wasnt a good time without telling them why it wasnt a good time. So I guess well have to handle it. Tinas words had sounded harsh and she was immediately sorry that she had spoken to Bette in the tone that she had. Bette, Im sorry. Tina stopped what she was doing, but didnt look up from the food as she paused to gather he thoughts. Well be fine. She smiled reassuringly at Bette and then turned away to grab something from the other side of the kitchen. Silence filled the kitchen again as both women were momentarily lost in their own thoughts. I went to see Helena today. Tina said after a minute of silence. She had always planned to tell Bette where she had gone, she was just waiting for the right moment. Honestly Tina didnt thin that this was it, but she knew that Bette was driving herself crazy over it and she didnt want that to fester for very long.

The statement felt like someone had slapped her in the face when it reached Bettes ears. Oh. She said struggling to keep her emotion at bay.