Bette had just gotten home from dropping Tina off at her house. She’d spent the rest of her day at her home laughing and sharing a few cups of tea.  Tina was great company, she’d made sure that her cup never left it’s plate, the sugar was never spilled and the pot was always placed back on the warm surface holder. These little details stood out the most to Bette who conscientiously watched as she did so. On top of that Tina made her laugh as from a good healthy place, the company they shared was warm and settled. Having a patient in her home sharing her space was not as painful or worrisome as she thought it might be. Or maybe it was because it was Tina and not someone else?

……………………………………….

“Hey Sweetheart.”

“Oh  Thank God!…” Alice sighed into the phone. “Babe wait she’s here, she’s on the phone.” Tina heard Tasha drop her keys and say ‘Thank Jesus.’ in the background.

“What’s wrong with you two?”

“Where have you been?!” Alice practically screamed into her ear. “We have been calling and calling you for like three hours now!” Alice said with her hand resting on her rapid heartbeat.

“I was… out, Al.” That even sounded strange to Tina. She hadn’t said anything like that in such a long time, that it brought a spring to her voice.

“Out?” Alice said and looked at the phone in disbelief. “With who?”

“Wow, you know what I’m kind of tired so I’m gonna go to bed. Is that alright mom? Or do you think you might want to come over and fix me a glass of warm milk and tuck me in?”

“Look smartass, I will drug you and plant a tracking device in your neck, you better let this be the last time you decide to go out and not tell anybody.”

“As cute as your little threat sounds…”

“I’m serious bitch.” Alice interrupted.

“Of course you are slut, I’ll talk to you later.” Tina answered without missing a beat.

“I love you.” Alice said quickly.

“I love you too. “ Tina said smilingly hanging up the phone.  She’d sat on her couch reflecting over the days events, surely she didn’t think it’d end like this. Her sharing laughs and tea with her seemingly somber and uptight doctor. She hadn’t been out enjoying herself or company in quite some time, it felt raw and new to share her day with someone other than her growing child. Sure she’d spent days with Tasha and Alice but they’d always watched over her like a fine piece of art, to ginger to let her hair down and relax. If she huffed or sighed they both seem to stop and wait for her to shatter. It felt good being around someone who hadn’t known her before Rick’s death and took what she gave them as genuine truth. Instead of having to pretend to be something that she wasn’t, inevitably fooling no one and eventually becoming tired of the whole façade.