Kit sighed. "Tina, if you’re gonna punish Bette for words she said in anger, you’re inviting a whole lot of punishment yourself."

Tina threw up her arms. "Can’t I stay angry for even an hour? Aren’t I allowed?"

"Not when Bette’s hurt, you can’t. She needs you. You know it. She knows it. Whether she wants to admit it or not." Kit put her hands on her hips. "You knew what you signed up for when you got involved with her."

Tina rolled her eyes.

"You better be ready tomorrow. I’m coming by and we’re gonna see this psychologist Bette’s been seeing. I’ll get one of the girls to babysit Bette."

"She’ll love that."

"I’ve always looked out for my baby sister. That don’t change just coz she got herself a girlfriend, no offense."

"Alright." Tina agreed grudgingly.

"I’ll be by at 9 sharp tomorrow. Now, go in there and if you can’t talk to her, just sit by her."

"You’re the boss."

"You better believe it. Now I’m leaving but don’t think I won’t know if you stay out here the whole night."

"I promise I’ll go back in. Okay?"

Kit nodded and let herself out. Tina watched her go and groaned. Well, as Kit said, she knew what she was getting into when she got involved with Bette. A bossy elder sister-in-law was the least of her worries.

*****

"Can I come in?" Tina asked tentatively. She had opened the door and waited for Bette to acknowledge her.

Bette was miserable. Her injuries were throbbing. Her eyes were painfully dry and scratchy. Worst of all, she was thirsty. She had tried to get water on her own earlier but she hadn’t mastered walking while being unable to bend one knee. Her other knee, the uninjured one, sported a fresh bruise from falling to the floor. She had painfully dragged herself back into bed and decided that she could last the whole night without a drink of water. It’s just that the pain killers she was taking was making her mouth so incredibly dry.

"It’s your room too." Bette tried for a neutral tone.

Without another word, Tina got her glass and fetched some water from the bathroom. She handed it to Bette. "Here."

"Thanks." Bette took the water and drank gratefully. She would worry about having to pee later.

"Do you need to pee?"

"Later."

Tina stood uncertainly at the side of the bed.

Bette sat and fidgeted with the covers.

"Well, I’ll just sleep over here." Tina took some extra sheets from the drawer and lay it down on the floor. "Can I have a pillow?"

"Don’t. It’s your bed too." Bette scooted down and turned to her side, away from Tina.

"Bette," Tina started to speak.

"Stop." Bette interrupted her. On her side, she looked at the empty expanse in front of her and knew that it signified the emptiness she was feeling. "Come to bed, Tina. Please."

She heard Tina sigh and return the extra covers. Then she watched as Tina walked into her line of sight and get into the bed. When Tina was lying stiff on her back, Bette slowly and carefully extended one hand. It crawled under the covers timidly. Halfway to its destination, it encountered a curious obstacle. Its fingers tentatively inquired as to what the obstacle was. "What are you?"

Tentative fingers answered back. "Tina’s hand. She’s pretending not to know where I am, but she sent me on a mission to find you."

"Find me?"

"It’s my mission in life, or so she says. I must always find you."

"I’m glad you did."

Two grateful hands entwined. They sent signals up to their respective owners. "Mission accomplished!"

Tina turned her head slowly and met Bette’s eyes.

"Kit and I are going to your shrink tomorrow." Tina whispered.

"I figured." Bette whispered back.

"Are you okay with that?"

"I want you in my life. I’m okay with it."

"Thank you, Bette."

"Are you?"

"What?"

"In my life?"

"Yes."

"Good."

TBC