‘DEATH’ that one word echoes loudly in Tina’s ears as if the Doctor screamed it through a megaphone. This was all too much for her to take in. Her face drained of all color, “I don’t” Tina said quietly before wavering where she stood. Alice and Dr. Martin reached Tina to steady her. “Breathe easycome over here and sit down.”

“How are you feeling?” Dr. Martin asked.

“A little dizzy but I’m okay” Tina said unconvincingly.

“I suggest someone take you home so you can rest.”

“I have to be here.”

After that Alice stepped in, “Tina, the Doc’s right. It’s not just you we have to think about,” Alice told her glancing down at Tina’s swollen abdomen. “It’s going to be a while before we hear anything. What good would it do if you end up in the hospital bed next Bette? I want to know what’s happening as much as you do. Bette DOES need you but she needs you healthy. Let me take you home. The girls or Dr. Martin will call when there’s news.” Alice‘s words were quiet but penetrating. Tina shook her head in acknowledgment but didn’t want to leave in case anything happened. What if Bette needed her and she couldn’t get there in time? There was no way Tina was going to leave. “No, Alice I can’t leave. I can’t” Tina’s voiced wavered noticeably.

“I tell you what,” Dr. Martin bent down to speak softly in Tina’s ear. “There is a staff lounge with a very comfortable couch in it. Things are relatively quiet right now so you can go in there to rest. I’ll come in when I have some news for you. I’ll even rustle up a blanket and pillow. How does that sound?” Dr. Martin smiled and waited for Tina to agree.

Tina had to admit that she was totally exhausted, “Yeah, that sounds like something I can do.”

“Good. Follow me.” Both Alice and Tina got up to followed the Doc. Tina looked over at her quizzically, “what? You might need something.” Tina smiled for the first time that day and grabbed Alice‘s hand grateful to have so many people around her with concern for her well being.  Together they began the journey to the unseen parts of any hospital following close behind a very lovely Dr. Martin. Alice being the keen observer she is whispered into Tina’s ear, “Ilene up there has a great *****. I wonder if she’s single.”

“What!” Tina exclaimed loud enough for several people to look their way. She had been so deep in though when Alice‘s words broke into her thoughts it was like a being poked with a stick by an annoying kid. All Tina could do was look dumbfounded at the comment. “Sorry, I had to break this tension. I did it the only way I knew how.”

Alice immediately felt like a big ***** making jokes at a time like this. She had to make people laugh and smile even in worst situation. It was her of dealing with dire straits. In her there was nothing direr than acknowledging the possibility of death. It was an unthinkable thought or at least she wished desperately in was unthinkable. How can one of them die? The subject had never been broached before.

Alice was so caught up in her thought she didn’t realize they had stopped and she walked into Tina almost knocking her to the ground. Ilene was there to prevent the fall. “Sorry, I was thinking”, Alice told them smiling slightly.

Ilene smiled back at her saying, “here we are. Going on in it should be empty. I’m going to go grab you a couple of blankets and pillows. I’ll be right back.”

“T, did you see that. She wants me.” Ah, she did it again.

Tina just hit her smiling, “Alice you know you really are incorrigible.”

After a few moments Ilene returned her arms full. “Okay, here you go. I got to head back. I have a job to do. Rest assured Bette is in good hands. Dr. Rainy is one of our very best.”