“Not bad.” Shane replied with her usual brevity,
as she sat down on the outdoor lounge beside Bette “You?”

“This has been one of the longest weeks of my life
and there’s another two more before I can see her.” Bette shook her head sadly.

Shane nodded and chewed the inside of her cheek.

“I can’t remember the last time we went this long
without speaking. The not knowing is driving me fucking crazy.” Bette said as
she stood up and collected her beer bottle from the table between them. “Can I
get you one?” She asked as she held the empty bottle a little higher.

“Thanks” Shane replied.

“I know this is her battle to fight, I do.” Bette
continued as she disposed of the empty and retrieved two more full bottles from
the refrigerator, “But I’m not used to being sidelined. There’s absolutely
fucking nothing I can do to help her.”

Shane waited for Bette to finish before offering “But
there’s plenty you can do to help yourself and Angie.” Bette handed the lanky
brunette a cold bottle, “Thanks”

Bette sat back on her lounge and took a mouthful
of the beer and thought over Shane’s perspective.

“It’s not like everything that’s been going on
with Tina hasn’t impacted the two of you as well.” Shane pushed forward, “Maybe
now is the time to focus those who are here rather than the one person who
isn’t.”

“You’re right” Bette wondered how she’d lost sight
of what was so obvious, “God, it’s been a struggle for so long that I
automatically jump to what I need to do for Tina.”

“You can’t have gone through the last few months
without collecting some baggage of your own.”

Bette nodded as she thought about all that had
changed in their family as a result of Tina’s ordeal. She silently admired
Shane’s intuition, the younger woman’s insight still caught her off guard on
occasion.

“What about you?” Bette asked with a smile, “Any
life altering events I can help you get a handle on?”

“Nothing to get a handle on” Shane shrugged,
“You’ve gotta have something to lose for that kind of issue to exist.”

“And we both know how hard you work to avoid that
kind of entanglement.” Bette said with a wry smile.

“When something that good is in my life I destroy
it. It’s better not to let anything get that far.” Shane said as she ran a hand
through her hair.

“I thought that for a long time too.” Bette mused
with a faraway smile.

“You and Tina are different.” Shane’s reply was
certain as she looked Bette in the eye.

“Not that different.” Bette assured her friend
before taking another mouthful of her beer. “Shit happens in every relationship.”

“Does Angie understand what’s going on?”

“Not really, she just wants to know when Tina will
be home and four weeks is an eternity to a toddler.” Bette said, “I found her
with my cell yesterday, she was pretending to have a conversation with Tina.
She was telling her mom about the dog we’d seen in the park. It was fucking
heartbreaking to listen to.”

“That sucks, I’m sorry.” Shane replied as she
lifted her bottle and drained the last of its contents.

“And I’m sorry for being such bad company.” Bette
attempted to lighten the mood.

“Maybe it would be good for Angie to spend some
time with all of her aunts.” Shane suggested, “Why don’t I organise something
for later in the week so we can all hang out? It’s not like we’ve seen much of
you lately either.”

“We’d love that, thanks.”

Shane grinned as she watched a genuine smile light
up Bette’s face for the first time in ages. A night out with friends could be
just what she needed.