“Hey T.” she cautiously said.

“Hey Shane.” she continued to drink with her eyes focused on the street. Shane noticed the bag of carrots next to Tina and smiled.

“Carrots and beer?” Shane asked and saw for the first time a soft grin come from Tina.

“My wife barely allows junk food in the house and all I wanted was something sweet, unfortunately the closest thing I found were carrots and the kids snacks. So,” she raised the bag, “the carrots won.”

“Do you mind?”

“No help yourself.” Tina picked up a beer and handed it to Shane, she shook her head no and reached for a carrot instead. They both smiled at each other. “What’s up Shane?”

“Not much, I was just gonna ask you the same thing.”

“Nothing really, my wife hates me and she’s keeping my kids away from me, other than that I can’t complain.”

“Come on Tina.” Shane saw how Tina looked at her, half expecting her to play the stoic impartial part she usually stuck to and the other half angry for questioning her. “Tell me what’s really going on.” there was something about Shane that made her want to tell her everything, throughout the years she’d always been there to slap her if necessary and she was the first to volunteer her services when Tina’s company started a beautician’s school for the kids that couldn’t afford it. Shane’s non-judgmental personality ensured her ability to give out advice when necessary and to lend a shoulder when needed.

Tina took a big breath in and out as she rubbed her brow and spoke, “If I told you about the things I see at night you’d probably think I was crazy.” Shane only tapped her leg and gave her a nod for her to continue. “I can’t see myself pregnant again. Bette wants another baby, hell I do too, but I don’t have it in me to go through another pregnancy.” Tina said and saw how Shane nodded her head as though she was understanding her.

“So why don’t you discuss this with Bette? I’m sure she’d understand better than anybody how you feel.”

“I’m sure she would to, but I also know my wife well enough to know that she’d jump at the chance to bring another life into our family.” then it all finally hit Shane. She finally understood why Tina was so dead set against having another baby. The realization as it hit Shane came through in her eyes and Tina only nodded her head as Shane patted her knee in sympathy.