Bette reluctantly sat down and enjoyed what was to her the best cake she’d eaten in years. She’d almost forgotten about how some nights she and Tina would smoke some weed under the stars in the field and come back in the house and raid the refrigerator. Sure enough the first thing to go would be the left over cake and all the milk. Bette finished her cake and enjoyed the pictures that Miah was showing her of his kids and she remembered how small they were the last time she’d seen them and all the fun she’d had out here with Tina. The conversation had a small drop and Bette’s mind understandably wandered to Tina, Miah noticed the off look in her eyes and said, “Look in the barn, most likely she’s talking to Genie.” he said taking their empty plates and taking them into the kitchen.

Bette walked out to the barn and sure enough there was Tina concentrating on brushing one her favorite horses. She was brushing him slowly and nestling the soft parts she loved to hug him on. With Tina’s back to her she could sense that Tina knew she was there, her posture dropped and she seemed almost disappointed that she was there, Bette’s first thought was to leave and try again later.

“Please don’t stand there in the doorway, come in and sit with me.” Tina said softly putting the brush away and patting her hands. She turned around and saw what was left of her friend, for the smallest of seconds her heart hurt to look at her. She watched as Bette took a seat on a bench against the wall. Almost as if she were avoiding a territorial space of Tina’s.

“You haven’t been eating.” Tina said looking down at Bette’s feet that were tapping the ground and what seemed to be the only noise between the two.

“Haven’t been hungry.” Bette said looking up at her for what seemed like the first time in quite a while.

“I never thought it’d be this hard to talk to you.” she said softly tucking her hand into her jeans and holding her hair back with the other while her eyes shut. Her thoughts were so jumbled she couldn’t look at Bette.

“Me neither.” Bette said bracing herself for what she knew was coming next.

“You hurt me Bette. I never dreamed you’d be the one to hurt me like this, but sure enough here we are, sitting here not knowing what to say to each other.”

“I know Tina and again I’m sorry. I did it with the best intentions, it’s just somewhere along the way I should’ve said something to…”

“Bette, please. I just found out that you were coming here almost the moment you pulled up, I spent all day with Momma and trying to keep up with Miah on this farm. Can we please save this conversation for the light of day?”

Bette nodded as she continued to wring her hands together, she understood Tina’s mental exhaustion and was thankful for the reprieve. She followed Tina out of the barn and back into the house. Tina’s mother was the first to see them walk in, and by the looks on their faces she could tell nothing was resolved. “Bette baby you can sleep in the boys’ room, I don’t want to hear no nonsense about you going to a hotel.” she had already turned around and instructed Miah to retrieve Bette’s bags from the car before Bette could attempt a protest. Bette looked around and Tina’s father was asleep in the recliner and her mother was already heading back into the kitchen and Tina’s retreating figure was the last she saw of her that night.

TBC………………………………