Of course she loved Alice and Tasha for the attention and the thoughtful help that came along with this transition but, they were always watching her, carrying her, treating her like she might break any minute, it was becoming very tiresome. But with Bette tonight everything was easy, they joked, they laughed, she’d even shared happier stories of Rick that did not provoke any tears from her, instead joyful smiles and hearty laughs. All the things she’d truly been missing from her life.

……………………………………………… 

Tina’s appointment had been rescheduled and she’d been squeezed in as the last appointment of Bette’s day again. Alice had come with her and she’d been checking her phone every five seconds making sure not to miss a call, text, voicemail or e-mail about her potential meeting this coming month.

Bette came into her office from dismissing her other patient and was feeling very exhausted and run down from her day. Her suit shirt was haphazardly creased in the back from sitting through a long meeting with her lawyers and her sleeves were rolled up past her elbow. Something she never really liked doing but her lab coat was off and she’d been running from room to room to room  today being short handed in the office. She sat down at her desk and gave both Alice and Tina an obligatory smile before she began.

She took a final glance at Tina’s chart and began, “As usual Tina you’re baby is growing normally, your weight is exactly as it should be right now.”

“I feel like the fat kid from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Bette smirked and had to contain her smile before she spoke again, “I can assure you that you are no where near that big, Tina. Your weight is just fine, I promise.”

“Says you…”

Alice shrieked interrupting Tina’s remark. She felt her phone vibrate in her hand, she jumped up and read her email aloud not really paying attention to the two women in the room. “Yes!” She screamed and hugged Tina tight. “I got it! I got the meeting with the guys from New York!”

“Oh Sweetie that’s great.” Tina knew what she was talking about and rubbed her back as she continued to read the rest of the email, but this time in silence.