“I got it under control,” Tina said and she left the kitchen.

Bette turned on Coleman.  “What the hell are you doing?”

“Helping, I thought.”

“Well don’t help!” Bette said harshly.  “We had a huge fight last night and the last thing I need is for you to butt your nose into all of this.”

“Sorry, okay, sorry,” he said and he then excused himself to go get dressed and packed.

After Miriam was ready, Tina helped her out to the dining room table and brought her a cup of coffee and her morning medications.  Bette had already showered while Tina had been preparing breakfast and had thrown back on her night clothes waiting to get the rest of the way ready until after breakfast.  She joined her aunt at the table and the two fell into an uncomfortable silence while Tina excused herself once again to run upstairs and finish getting ready herself.

Finally after sipping on her coffee for a moment, Miriam said, “Were you finally able to get some sleep?”

“Yes, ma’am.  A little,” Bette responded.

“That’s about the amount Christina was able to get, I’m sure,” Miriam remarked.  But before she could carry this conversation further, Coleman joined them at the table and, in his usual boisterous manner, he engaged Miriam in conversation.

While the three sat there, Tina came downstairs ready for church.  She had on one of her sundresses and the pair of dress flats.  She had curled her hair with a curling iron so that long, fat, golden ringlets fell along her shoulders and back.  She had put on just a bit of makeup, a little eyeliner, shadow and mascara. 

As she made her way down the stairs, Bette had caught sight of her and stood up and watched as Tina came into the room.

“How many eggs for you, Coleman,” Tina asked.  She was aware that Bette was staring at her, but she ignored her.

“Four, please, over easy if you don’t mind,” he answered.

“And your usual two, scrambled?” Tina asked Miriam, who was looking not at Tina, but at her niece’s reaction to Tina.

Miriam nodded and glanced Tina’s way momentarily and then returned her attention to Bette who was still standing and watching Tina with intensity and a little bit of shock and dismay.