«I’m afraid you’ll have to wait outside ma’am», he told her in a hurry.

«Can you tell me what’s the matter with her?»

«You’ll have to wait until I examine her, now won’t you…», he said quickly. «Wait over there and I’ll be right with you», he added, rushing inside the room.

«Smart ass», Bette mumbled to herself as she made her way to the waiting area. She had been sitting there for ten minutes when Tina showed up. She sat next to Bette and stroked her knee. «How’s Mrs Stone?», she asked, concerned.

Bette sighed in exasperation. «I don’t know… I’m still waiting for some news»

«James said that she just collapsed?», Tina went on.

Bette nodded. «Yeah, that’s all I know too…». Bette stood up and tried to get a peak into the examining room. Finally, the door opened and the doctor walked out. Bette ran to him. «How is she?»

«She’ll be fine… She fainted from stress and not eating for almost two days…», the doctor told Bette. She couldn’t help but feel guilty. She was the reason Mrs Stone was in town and under a lot of stress. She was too, but unlike the old woman, she was in good health and much younger. Tina came from behind and put a tender hand on her shoulder to let her know she was there for her.

«Can I see her?», Bette asked.

«In a few minutes when she’s settled in her room», the doctor explained.

«You’re keeping her?», Bette said, surprised.

The doctor nodded. «We want to make sure she regains some strength before we release her», he said before rushing to his next patient. Bette turned around and gazed into Tina’s eyes. «I was so scared for a moment…», she told her while Tina pulled her closer. The blonde held her for a few seconds. «I know you were baby, but you heard the doctor, she’ll be just fine…», Tina assured her.

«For now… I still have so many questions…», Bette said.

«Excuse me, are you Bette Porter ?», a young nurse asked Bette. «Yeah, I am…». «The doctor asked me to take you to Mrs Stone’s room. She’s sleeping now, but you can go in. She should wake up soon»