‘What did he say?’

‘That in the end it would do more harm to our relationship.  He thought my idea of helping each other through this was just a way for me to suppress what I was feeling and have something positive to focus on.’

‘I think a lot of good has come out of us trying to help each other, although I’ve probably gotten the most benefit.’

‘I really just don’t know what to do Bette.’

‘Right now all you need to do is close your eyes and put everything else out of your mind.’

It wasn’t long until laying there in their guest room holding hands they both fell asleep.

* * * * *

Something in the distance woke Bette.  It took a moment to realize it was the phone.  She tried to get up but Tina was practically on top of her.

‘Tina wake up I need to get the phone.’

‘Let the machine get it.  What time is it anyway?’

‘A little after nine.’

‘I’m starving.  Is there any food here?’

‘I’m not sure.’

‘Let’s go see.’

Tina open the refrigerator and said, ‘well, we can have toast and eggs or eggs and toast.’

‘I think toast and eggs.’

‘I’ll scramble you make the toast.’

As they were eating Bette asked, ‘where’s your car?’

‘At The Planet, it’ll be all right until tomorrow.  I thought I’d stay here tonight if it’s all right.’

‘This is your home you don’t need to ask if you can stay.’

‘No more sleeping on the couch, we share the guest room.’

‘All right, do you want to talk some more?’

‘I’d really like to take a shower and go back to sleep.’

‘You go shower and I’ll clean up in here.’

Bette wondered about them sleeping in the same bed and thought about all the times in the past few years they had gone weeks sleeping next to each other, never touching.  She finished cleaning up, turned out the lights and headed for the guest room.

Saturday Morning

Bette woke and realized she was alone.  At first she wondered if Tina had left again, but then she smelled coffee.  When she walked into the kitchen Tina was sitting at the table making some kind of list.