“And can I have 16 oatmeal raisin cookies with that please.”
“16? Are you sure?” the young boy behind the counter questioned Tina.

Tina just looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“Whatever my favorite sister-in-law wants, she gets,” Kit smiled, “And how are you doing today, Tina?”
“I’m tired.”
“Have that much stuff to move back home?”
“You know I never realized how much Angie had until it was time to pack up her room. That kid has accumulated a lot of shit,” Tina laughed.
“Just about everyone spoils her.”
“So true. So true.”
“So how is my sister doing today? She bossing everyone around?”
“Surprisingly no. Angelica has taken over that role. Bette is somwhat calmly unloading things,” Tina motioned with her hand flipflopping from side to side.
“If I know my babysis, that is not gonna last,” Kit laughed.
“I don’t know,Kit. She’s been surprising me lately,” Tina shrugged.
“Your order is $34.80,” the young boy had returned with three take out bags.
“Nah, Eddie. She gets the family discount,” Kit informed the him.
“What’s the family discount?” he asked his new boss of a week.
“Free baby.”
Turning her attention back to Tina, Kit said, “Now you make sure babygirl eats all of her lunch.”
“Which babygirl is that?” Tina asked adjusting the bags in her arms.
“All of them over there. I’ll stop by around 6 with dinner, okay?”
“Okay. See you later, Kit.”

Tina barely had a grip on the food as she walked to her car when a voice nearly scared her.

*****

“Sorry, Tina. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Jodi, hi. How are you?” Tina asked trying to open the door.
“Good. Let me get the door for you,” Jodi said taking the car keys out of the blonde’s hand.

She waited for Tina to step aside.

“Oh sorry,” Tina blushed finally noticing Jodi standing close waiting to unlock the door.
Jodi smiled and signed “It’s okay.”

She unlocked and opened the door.

“Do you need help loading those in?”
“No, no. I got it. Thank you.”
“Okay then…take care.”

Jodi turned to walk away but was stopped by Tina’s hand.

“I’m sorry for the way you found out about me and Bette but you must know I never wanted to hurt you. You have… you have helped Bette change so much. She is a much better person for having known you. And so is Angelica. She just loves you. And misses you. I’ve told Bette that I would like to continue to have you be in Angelica’s life. But she wasn’t to sure how you would take to that idea. I just wanted to run it by you. I mean you don’t have to give me an answer right now. Just think about, please. For Angie’s sake.”
“Okay.”

Jodi turned and continued down the block.

“Tina,” she yelled, “tell Angelica I miss her too.”

Jodi smiled again and walked away.

*****

“Be careful with that please,” Bette shouted to the moving man, who was bringing the last of Tina’s things in the house.
“Where is this going?” Tasha asked holding a cardboard box.
“Uh…for right now just put it in the bedroom. I think that’s more of Tina’s stuff.”

Tasha nodded her head.

“Hey Porter, are you going feed us or what?” Alice asked plopping down on the sofa.
“Alice, get your sweaty ass of my couch,” Bette yelled across the room.
“Bite me, Porter. I’m tired and hungry and you’re being mean.”
“Tina should be back any minute.”
“Did I hear someone say my name?”
“An angel has appeared,” Alice said dreamily.
“Lunch is served,” Tina said putting the bags on the coffee table.
“Lunch is served out by the pool,” Bette corrected picking up the bags.
“I don’t care where it’s served just as long as it’s served,” Alice replied following behind Bette.
“Shane, Tasha, Max…lunch!” Tina shouted loud enough for the moving men to coming into the kitchen.
“Sorry. She wasn’t calling you, man,” Shane said standing next to the guys.
“You definitely don’t look like a Tasha to me,” Tasha deadpanned.
“Thanks for helping with the move guys. Here’s your tip.”

Tina handed them a couple of twenties.

“No problem.”

Tina ushered them to the door. Once they were gone, she joined the girls as they sat by the pool enjoying the warm breeze.

“This is so good,” Alice said with a stuffed mouth.
“Thanks for the sandwiches,Tina.”
“It was my pleasure, Tasha. Where’s Angie?”
“She knocked out as soon as Alice finished torturing her.”
“Torturing her?”
“A tickle fight. You should be proud. Angie had her for a minute but you know Alice can’t stand to lose. So she played dirty,” Shane explained.
“Alice, what did you do to my baby?” Tina asked settling next to Bette on the chaise lounge and opening her sandwich.
“I did what every self respecting Earth Mother would do… I bribed her.”
“Bribed her? With what?” Tasha chuckled.
“Toys of course,” Alice said matter of factly.
“Alice, she doesn’t need anymore toys,” Bette chastised.
“Babe,” Tina said kissing Bette, “its okay. One more is not gonna hurt.”
“You say that now,” Max added.
“You’ll never guess who ran into coming out the Planet.”
“Who T?” Bette asked putting the top of the neck of a cool beer bottle to her lips.
“Jodi.”

Bette sprewed beer in Tina’s face.