* * * * *

They had just gone in the house to try to decide what to do about dinner when the doorbell rang.  Tina opened the door.

‘I have a delivery for Bette Porter.’

‘I’ll sign for it.’

Tina turned around just as Bette walked up.

‘It’s from Peggy.’

When Bette opened it she found two airline tickets and a note.

Bette,

I need you to meet me in Chicago.  I called James; he said you had an appointment Tuesday morning so your reservations are for Tuesday afternoon.  We should only be a few days.  Feel free to bring Tina.  Maybe the time together will help.

Peggy

‘Do you want to come?’

‘I just missed a week of work.’

‘I understand, I’ll only be a few days.  What’s that look?’

‘Nothing.’

‘T?’

‘I don’t want you to be away right now.  Have you decided to take the job with Peggy?’

‘I haven’t given her an answer yet.  She had mentioned some purchases she wanted to make and asked if I’d look at them.  I didn’t know they were in Chicago.  Why don’t you want me to go?’

‘I feel like I’ve really pushed you this week and I just don’t want you to be away right now.’

‘I know you don’t trust me but’

‘It isn’t that I feel like we lost some of our progress this week and I just wanted to try to get it back.’

‘I feel like we are way ahead of where we started this week.  Today has really been a major step, but if it’s that important to you I’ll call Peggy and see if we can reschedule.’

‘No, I’m being silly, but thanks for offering.  It really means a lot to me.’

* * * * *

They spent the rest of the evening talking and joking around.  Bette was amazed at how much had changed in just a day.  She knew they still had some hard conversations ahead of them, but she felt good about where they were right now.  Even though she still had no idea if she even had a chance of getting Tina back.  Tina felt like she understood so much more about how their indifference had damaged their relationship.  Today, as they talked, she could feel a lot of her anger subside.  She also realized Foxworthy was right about most anger being based on a misunderstanding or misinterpreted words or deeds.  It’s not whether or not we get angry, but what we do with that anger that really matters.