Bette sat quietly at the table trying to take in everything that was going on. She had returned to the house before anyone had realized that she was gone. She had stashed her box of personal effects in the closet and was now waiting for the Kennard family itinerary. Bette struggled to focus on what Tina and Liz were saying, but couldn’t seem to keep her mind on the conversation. She was absolutely dreading whatever any of them had planned and desperately wanted to beg off the situation entirely. But she knew that Tina would be disappointed if she didn’t tag along with her and her family. “Bette.” Bette suddenly became aware that Tina was calling her name. “Did you hear me, Babe? Me and Liz are going to go and pick up my parents if you want to meet us at the mall with Ariana. My mother wants to buy some things for the baby. And then she wants to take us for dinner. Is that okay?”

“Do I have a choice.?” Bette asked flatly. There was no argument in her tone, Bette simply wanted to know if Tina would change her mind if Bette said no. She smiled. “Just kidding.” She said when she saw that Tina had interpreted the question as hostile. “I’ll call and see where you guys are when I get there and then I’ll meet you wherever you happen to be.”

Tina nodded and then walked to the front door and stuck her head out to gesture to Liz that she was coming. Then she walked back over to Bette and stood next to her as she put her coffee cup in the sink. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. I was just tired. Didn’t sleep much last night.”

Tina looked down guiltily and then back up. “I”

“It’s fine. We’re going to get through your parents visit and then we’ll sit down and get throughwhatever we need to get through. It’s going to be fine Tina.” Bette reassured her and was relieved when the blonde smiled at her. Bette touched her hand gently to the side of Tina’s head before she walked silently back to the table.

Tina walked to the door reluctantly, feeling the distance between them seem to grow. “So, I’ll be waiting for your call?” She said hopefully. Bette looked up and nodded and Tina closed the door behind her feeling the weight of everything that Bette had not said.