She felt her face warm. It was Grant’s mother, Evangeline. There was a deferential saleswoman standing close to her, holding up a smallish quilt for her approval. Tina’s feet slowed to a stop and she found she couldn’t move. Bette realized that Tina asn’t following and had doubled back to see what was wrong.

Evangeline nodded at the saleswoman and walked up to Tina, who knew she must look ridiculous but still couldn’t move or tear her eyes away.

“Hello, my dear. How are you?”

Tina blinked at Evangeline a few times and found her voice. “This is my friend, Bette Porter. Bette, this is Evangeline Rutledge.”

Bette and Evangeline nodded their hellos, and Evangeline turned her attention back to Tina. “I hope you’re doing well.”

Tina’s gaze fell to Evangeline’s hands. She was holding what looked like some kind of baby clothes.

“It was nice seeing you again,” Tina murmured. She turned and hurried from the store and was halfway down the street before she heard Bette calling her and slowed her footsteps down.

“Tina,” Bette put a hand on Tina’s arm. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” Nothing was registering for Tina.

“You didn’t want to go in. I should have listened.”

Tina shook her head. “No, you actually did me a favor.”

“A favor?”

Tina nodded. “Now I know what I have to do.”

***

Tina sat rocking slightly on the chair on her porch. She checked her watch. It was five minutes to 6. She knew he wouldn’t be late.

When she called Grant that afternoon he said he would come by after work. Tina tried to plan what she would say – but she found she couldn’t. She saw his car pulling up, his eager smile when get got out and spotted her, the bouquet of daisies he’d brought her.

“Hey,” he said, standing on the porch. He held out the flowers. “These are for you.”

Tina rose from her chair and took the flowers and studied them for a moment. “Thank you, Grant.” She set them carefully on the chair.