Kit: Hey mama!

Tina turned to see Kit
emerging from her office. Despite all that Tina and Bette had endured over the
last year, Kit had remained Tina’s friend – her family. Tina smiled at Kit’s
greeting. She always knew how to put Tina’s mind at ease and now Tina was
hoping that Kit wouldn’t disappoint her.

Tina: (Somewhat solemn) Hi
Kit.

Kit: What’s wrong baby
girl – got the mommy blues?

Tina: Uh How do you know
about the baby?

Kit/Tina: (In unison)
Bette.

Tina: Kit – is she here? I
really need to speak with her.

Kit: Actually Tina, she
just left about 30 minutes ago.

Tina was thinking to
herself that if she hadn’t happened upon that accident, she’d be talking to
Bette right now and working things out.

Tina: (Optimistically) Do
you happen to know where she was going?

Kit: I’m not sure what’s
going on between you two girls – so I don’t know if she’d want me to tell you.

Kit had peaked Tina’s
interest. Now Tina really wanted to talk to Bette. In her mind, Kit was the
only one keeping her from doing so.

Tina: Kit, I don’t know
what’s going on either, but Bette showed up at my office today with a savings
account for the two of us (pointing to her belly) and her keys to the house.
You have to help me find her – now!

Tina was starting to get
upset. It was becoming more and more evident by her expression and the urgent
tone of her voice.

Kit: Calm down baby girl.
You don’t need to get all upset and put that baby under any undo stress.

Tina took a couple of deep
breaths and decided to pull up a chair at a nearby table. Her emotions were
working overtime as tears started to flow easily. The weight of she and Bette’s
strained relationship in conjunction with the added expectancy of the grant
announcements, her hidden pregnancy and now Bette’s strange actions were taking
a toll on Tina. Kit pulled up a chair next to Her and wrapped her arm around
Tina’s shoulders.

Kit: Hey there – it’s okay.
Don’t cry baby girl. Bette’s only doing what she thinks is best for everyone.
You know how hard she’s trying to make things right.

Tina: (Sniffle) What do
you mean Kit?

Kit: Well, I can’t really
tell you that right now – but I do know that you will be very proud of her.