Bette took another gulp of her wine wishing that dinner would just end so that they could drop Tina’s parents off at their hotel and come back and go to bed. She was exhausted, all of the forced smiles and faux politeness were taking their toll on her and she just wanted it to be over. And it didn’t help that Tina didn’t seem to notice that her mother had been going out of her way to make Bette uncomfortable. Either that or she just didn’t care. Bette couldn’t decide which. “Hey slow down there. You don’t want to drown.” Tina’s sister walked into the kitchen just as Bette poured another glass and took another drink.

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that.” Bette mumbled into the glass.

“Are you ok, Bette?” Liz asked concerned about her sister in law.

Bette softened when she heard the genuine concern in Liz’s voice. “I’ll be ok.” She said.

“As soon as my parents get to their hotel, huh?” She asked with a tentative grin.

Bette smiled. “Liz, I love your parents.” She said with the hugest smile that she could supply.

“That’s just cause your knocking back that wine so fast. I promise that when the effects of the alcohol wear off, you’re going to realize that my mother is the devil.”

Bette laughed for the first time that day and looked at Liz. “So tell me. How are you doing?”

“Well, I’m twenty one, I have an inconsequential job, I live at home with my parents, and right before I left to get on the plane my boyfriend called to tell me that when I get back he doesn’t think that we should see each other anymore.”

Bette raised her eyebrows in sympathy for the younger girl. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t like him that much anyway. The rest though is slightly depressing.” Bette held out the wine glass and Liz chuckled as she reached out to take it just as her mother, her father, and her sister decided to come into the kitchen to tell Bette that they were ready to get going.

“You shouldn’t drink dear.” Her mother scolded her and then turned on Bette. “And you shouldn’t encourage her.”

Bette dropped her head. “I’m sorry Mrs. Kennard. We were sort of sharing a joke.”