When they had first toured the apartment, the molding was one of the only features of the apartment that they didn’t like, Bette especially.  But they liked everything else, and decided to select it from various apartments that they viewed.  Tina had discretely inquired from the apartment owner during the penultimate meeting she had with the owner, before signing the rental agreement on her and Bette’s behalf, about having the molding removed.  “It’s really bothering her.  And if we can have it done, I’ll pay for it,” Tina offered.  The apartment owner smiled, but shook her head.  As with many other things – a detail that was suddenly unimportant now.

As she continued to stare at the ceiling, Tina thought there was a blue haze surrounding everything she looked at and wondered for how long the haze would last.

Out of nowhere, her heart began to pound; her palms grew clammy, and a sickening feeling returned to her tummy.  She shut her eyes for a minute, and then opened them again.  Same blue haze.  Same sickening feeling.

Bette.

Tears began to form, then slip out, tracking down her cheeks.  Tina covered her face with a pillow, and cried into it for a few minutes.  As her sobs eased, her phone began to ring.

She set the pillow down, and picked up the phone.  “Hello?,” she mumbled softly.

“Good morning Tina,” she heard Liz’ voice greet her with cheer. “How was the weekend?”

Before Tina could reply, Liz continued, “Listen, interesting results were emailed to me this morning, and I’m looking at them now.  I’ve just checked my schedule, and I don’t think I have any appointments at 9:00, so if you and Bette can make it, I was wondering whether I can see you both at around 8:30?”

Tina was silent.  Liz took the silence for confusion, “I know, I know, the clinic normally doesn’t schedule appointments that early, but, here’s the deal: those preliminary results that you told me about….you know, the ones from tests that you got from the store, that told you the insemination hadn’t taken, and that you weren’t pregnant?  Well, the tests we ran at the clinic late last week… when you stopped by, remember?… anyway, I have good news to share that I’d like us to discuss.  So it would be great if we can meet first thing today, and then I can ask another specialist in the clinic to talk to you girls about what’s next, etc., after we talk.”