The technician comes in, forcing Bette to reluctantly let go of Tina. She smiles pleasantly as the tech checks Tinas vitals, makes her notes, and departs with nothing more than nod. Shortly after she leaves, a nurse comes in asking if Tina would like some breakfast. Tina frowns, but Bette insists that she eat a little something, promising to make her something more favorable once they got home. Tina gives Bette a perplexed look knowing that Bette rarely ever cooked.

What? Bette inquired.

Think about what you just said.

What? I said Id make you something better once we got home, she repeated unaware of the point Tina was trying to make.

Tina said nothing and instead continued to look at her as if she had six heads. Then it finally hit Bette what the expression was all about and she laughed.

Oh, I get it now, she admitted. You dont think I can cook.

Correction! I know you cant. Babe, I mean Bette, Tina corrected herself for her affectionate moniker. Bette was slightly taken aback, but remained silent. Think about the last time you cooked. Or the last time you attempted to cook something.

Bette stared off in a combination of thought and hurt. I guess I have to get used to that, she thought. Damn the new rules! She thought again. Bette returned her attention to Tina who was adjusting herself in the bed and looking at the IV attached to her arm. She fussed with her gown, making faces at it, and lifted her arm to take a sniff realizing it had been quite a while since shed last bathed.

Are you okay? Bette inquired, thankful for the distraction.

I feel really icky. Tina made a face. Its been a while since Ive had a shower. When did Dr. Bradshaw say shed be by?
Bette chuckled and looked at her watch. It was now almost 8:00am and she too was eager to leave the hospital. She was ready to take on her new role as Tinas nurse and maybe even start to heal herself in the process.

I can go to the nurses station and see if she left a time with them. Or if they dont know, Ill call her okay?

Tina nodded, yeah, that would be great. Im tired of being here. Never been fond of hospitals. Bad memories, she rambled.

Bette was in the process of heading toward the door, when she turned back around upon hearing Tinas last comment.

Bad memories? What happened to cause that Tee?

Oh, just a childhood thing that came back to mind. Nothing you need to worry about Bette, Tina said dismissing her own words.

Bette sat back down on the bed and held Tinas hand not wanting her to deal with it alone.

Please tell me what happened Tina, she asked softly. Youve never told me about that.

Now she wished she hadnt said anything. It wasnt something she wanted to come out. It was a memory, shed dismissed until now. She fidgeted trying to gather her thoughts to tell Bette her story.

Well, a neighborhood bully hurt me when I was about ten and made me lie that I had an accident in the playground so she wouldnt get into trouble, Tina spoke apprehensively. Bette looked at her with sad eyes. I did what she told me to, fearing that if I didnt, shed hurt me again and I ended up having to stay overnight in the hospital.

Oh my goodness Tina, Im so sorry to hear that.

Well, it was a long time ago. No need to wake the dead now right? She tried to dismiss her story, but something in her tone made Bette uneasy and search for more information.

Yeah, I guess youre right, but if you dont mind, what did she do to you?

Tina looked away. She really didnt want to tell Bette the truth. Shed told the lie so many times that it seemed like the truth to her. Shed only told one other person what really happened and swore them to secrecy, but now she was faced with opening a long closed door.

Bette, Id really rather not, she said sadly. Im sorry. I just cant right now.

Okay, Bette agreed. But will you promise that if it comes up again, that youll tell me? I never want you to suffer in silence again, babe. Never! Bette said, kissing Tina on her cheek.
Tina nodded. She couldnt say the words because she wasnt really sure shed honor them. A lump lodged in her throat and dryness filled her mouth at the thought of it all. She looked away from Bette fussing with the cords attached to her arms and finger.

Ugh! I cant wait to get out of her, she fussed, refocusing her thoughts. Can you check for Dr. Bradshaw Bette?

Yeah, sure! Ill be right back.

Bette left the room and Tina let out a huge anguished sigh. Tears spilled from her eyes and pain filled her chest as the memory of Lisa Doyle flashed through her head. Lisa was known for picking on the smaller kids and Tina had been one of them. Lisa was a large framed, slightly older, tomboyish girl, whose father regularly beat her mother, which Lisa witnessed from time to time. The abusive trait carried over to Lisa! On the incident in question, Lisa had once again forced Tina to give in to her usual requests for candy, toys, money, and any favor she requested. Not wanting to keep being a victim, Tina tried to stand up for herself and received a shove hard enough to knock her off a small platform, and fall down creating a two inch gash in the back of her head. Before running off, Lisa made her swear it was an accident or shed get it again, which she agreed to. The shove caused a concussion and thirty stitches to close the wound. Back then, parents were not allowed to stay in hospital rooms and she was left alone overnight in the hospital. The following morning when she was supposed to be discharged, she saw Lisa Doyle and her mother in the hospital, victims of one of Lisas fathers outbursts and in spite of her own wounds, she threatened Tina again. This threat and later encounters with Lisa and her mother set the foundation for her continued passivity in life.

She wiped her tears away and hoped the memory would go with it. She thought of how this awful part of her childhood played a pivotal role in her life and relationships and it scared her into realizing that in a less violent and abusive way, Bette was Tinas living day Lisa Doyle.

Oh God! She said out loud. This cant be why Ive always given more than Ive received. It cant be, she continued, not wanting to acknowledge or accept this startling self-realization.

She swung her legs out of the bed reaching for the pole holding her IV.

Gotta get to the bathroom. Im gonna be sick.

Tina shuffled across the floor, but she threw up before she could get there. She leaned forward heaving, clutching her aching stomach, as dizziness came over her. She forced herself to make it back to the bed, where she collapsed hard upon it. A few minutes later, Bette and a nurse walked in with breakfast. Bette was beaming, which was a pleasant change to how she left the room.

Great news Tee, they said Dr. Bradshaw is already in the building and youre next on her list of patients, she babbled, approaching the bed not realizing Tina looked awful.

The nurse saw her first and placed the tray down noticing something was wrong and pressed the call button.
Whats wrong Tee? What happened? Bette rushed to Tinas side. Baby, talk to me! She pleaded.

Tina couldnt speak above a whisper.

Im okay. Im okay, dont worry, she tried to reassure Bette. I guess I just dont like hospitals, she tried to joke. Im not good for overnight stays.

Please try to relax Ms. Kennard. I need to fix the IV.

After making the necessary adjustments, she checked her vitals, which were in order, but Tina needed to be hydrated. The nurse placed the straw in her mouth unintentionally ignoring Bettes presence. Another nurse came in the room with Dr. Bradshaw in tow and they all began to fuss over Tina.

Dr. Bradshaw asked Bette if Tina was fine before she left the room and Bette said she was. Neither of them could figure out what changed that fast. Dr. Bradshaw made some notes on her board and continued to examine Tina, while Bette slid out of their way.

What happened while I was gone? She thought to herself. What is this memory that has her like this?