“Believe it or not Tina it is just plain old Lipton with a little something extra added. I have become a tea connoisseur after all I had to have something to replace the booze.”

“How’s that going Bette? The not drinking.”

“It’s going really good. I am coming up on my three year anniversary of being sober. I don’t know if I ever thanked you for all your help but I am thanking you now.”

“Bette you don’t have to thank me. It is you that is doing all the hard work. I am just a great listener who offered a few suggestions.”

“Oh I forgot…I brought you something just a small gift to say thanks for dinner and the wonderful company tonight.” Reaching her hand inside of her purse she pulled out the two small wrapped packages.

“Tina you really shouldn’t have…but thank you.”

Bette’s hands shook as she began to unwrap the first gift. Tears fell from her eyes as she looked at the precious picture of Tina’s daughter on the beach building a sand castle. The look of determination on her face as she molded the wet sand with her hands was priceless.

As the second picture of Angelica playing in the bright sunshine with a million dollar smile on her face came into view, Bette rubbed the glass on top of the photo as if she were brushing the wild curls back from Angie’s face.

Wiping her eyes once more she looked up at Tina with a small smile and softly said, “Thank you Tina I will treasure them always. I am sorry…for crying but it’s been such a long long time since anyone gave me a gift and I guess I am out of practice on gift receiving etiquette.”

“Bette it’s alright you don’t have to apologize. Don’t you remember all the times I cried when you gave me flowers, gifts of jewelry, or took me somewhere special when we were together?”  Chuckling softly “If I had a nickel for every one of those happy tears I cried when I was with you I would be a rich woman today.”

The oven timer dinged and signaled that dinner was ready. Both Bette and Tina moved from the couch to the kitchen. Tina noticed that the small breakfast nook was set in a simple style with a beautiful bouquet of wild flowers in the center. “Bette the table looks lovely and the food smells delicious.”