Every now and again she would think of Tina and she would become unbelievably disheartened so much so she’d become distracted and didn’t notice when the clubs she was at were getting ready to close and she’d still be the only one sitting down. It took a few taps from the waitress’ to draw her from her thoughts and tell her that they were done for the evening. She had to chock those up to being another wasted evening that she knew she didn’t get a look at any artist and even if she did, she knew she wouldn’t and couldn’t remember them. Bette lifted the heavy gate and headed towards the kitchen area. She began by putting the bags down on the counter, she went over to the cabinet and grabbed two plates, she began fixing them when she spoke, “Do you want some kung-pao chicken?”

“Uh, sure.” came the soft reply.

She continued to fix the plates and grabbed two wine glasses. She took the fixed plates and headed for the dining area, she placed the plates down and went back for the glasses and bottle of red. Bette sat down and began to eat, after she placed the first piece of food in her mouth and she looked back up questioningly and said, “Are you going to eat standing up?” She quickly took a seat across from Bette and didn’t know where to place her hands, so she nervously put them in her lap. Bette looked across at her and saw that she was nervous and from the way she kept fidgeting with her thumb she knew she was anxious to say something.

“What are you doing here Tina?” she asked as she took the napkin from her lap, wiped her mouth and placed it back in her lap.

…………………………………………….

Tina came downstairs so unglued and out of it she barely noticed her mother in the kitchen baking some bread. Her mother heard the solemn thump of Tina’s hand meeting the swinging door and she saw her come in the kitchen looking as though she’d been crying hard. Tina went over to the refrigerator and grabbed the orange juice, not thinking about her surroundings she went to drink straight from the carton, when she was smacked on her butt hard.