“Like I can say no when you play the kid card,”Alice scoffed.

“Shane?” Tina asked.

“For Evan,”Shane stated, “but there better be inside plumbing.”

*****

“Is your mother picking you up?” Dr. Ronica Rawlings asked.

Their session had ended five minutes ago. Evan sat watching the psychiatrist locking up patients’ files, clearing her desk. She was the doctor’s last patient.

“No. I’m on my own today,” Evan answered.

Dr. Rawlings stopped stacking her yellow legal pads and looked up at Evan.

“Mind if I hang out while you close up?” Evan asked.

“Not at all. I could use the company,” she smiled.

Dr. Ronica Rawlings had been a psychiatrist for over fifteen years even thought she didn’t look the part. She held her slim body with character. Never giving into the cravings for a slice of red velvet cake. Ronica prided herself on the self control. And now as she watched a teenage girl who appeared to be lonely, one that was anything but, sulk in her favorite oversized chair, Ronica had to restrain herself from engulfing Evan in a hug.

“So what are your plans for this weekend?” Ronica asked closing a file cabinet with her hip.

“I don’t know,” Evan sighed.

“C’mon, Evan, you must have something to do.”

“I don’t know…probably hang around the house.”

“What, no boyfriend?”

“More like girlfriend,” Evan smirked, “but she’s probably busy.”

“Did she day that?” Dr. Rawlings questioned.

“No, not really.”

“Then how do you know?”

“I’ll ask her out, okay,” Evan huffed, “you’re almost as bad as my mom.”

Ronica Rawlings smiled at the comparison.

*****

“We can go this weekend,” Alice suggested.

“This weekend? I don’t know, Al. I have to train and…”

“You’ve been training all week, Dana. ***** you’re always training. A few days off won’t hurt you,” Alice said.

Dana looked at her friends not really expecting help.

“I’m in,” Shane smiled.

“What about Carmen?”

“I’m sure she can make it.”

“Great. Now all need to do is pack,” Tina stated.

“You already booked a cabin, didn’t you?” Bette asked raising an eyebrow.

“Maybe,” Tina smiled.

“Have you told Evan?”

“No, that’s a surprise.”

“What’s a surprise?”

Her voice surprised them all as they looked up.

*****

“Do I have to go?” Evan whined.

“I hate to say I told you so,” Bette began.

“Then don’t,”Tina shot back.

“Is something wrong? Are you not feeling well? Does your side hurt?” Tina directed to Evan.

Evan thought about playing the injury card but decided to save it.

“No,” she answered holding onto her side then.

Her ribs still hurt her but not as bad…. as long as she didn’t make any sudden movements. Evan returned to her pouting.

The older woman leaned against the counter in the kitchen overturning the apple in her hand. The youngest slacked in a chair at the table rolling a forgotten pencil through her fingers. And the other, looked back and forth between mother and daughter not believing the selfishness. Then an idea popped into her head.

“What if you could invite someone?” Tina asked with hope.

“Anyone?”

Bette stopped chewing and watched the wheels turning in her daughter’s head.

“Yes, anyone you want,” Tina answered.

“Hhmmm, Serena. I want Serena,” evan immediately perked up.

Tina’s eyes opened wide and looked over her shoulder at her wife. Bette’s eyes said no loudly.

“Well…”

“You said anyone. You can’t take it back now,” Evan said sitting up.

“Uh, you’re right. I did say anyone.”

“I’m going call her,” Evan smiled jumping up looking for the phone.

“You made your bed,” Bette stated returning to her apple.

*****