"When It All Became"
by PS

Kit heard someone shuffling in the main room of The Planet. She took a deep breath, knowing who to expect.

As she exited the kitchen, she met the face of the woman she’d come to regard as her sister-in-law. "I’m glad you could come."

Tina nodded, clutching her bag in front of her as if a shield.

Kit walked closer, eager to give the other woman a hug. As she neared, though, she stopped. Tina’s stance gave her the sense that such closeness wouldn’t be allowed.

"I had a little time." Tina strolled to a table and took a seat, pulling in close and leaning forward. "Besides, I think Alice is glad to have her place to herself."

Kit nodded. "Can I get you something? Beer? Coffee?"

"Decaf?" Tina asked. "If it’s no bother," she tacked on quickly.

"Decaf it will be." Kit directed herself back toward the coffee bar, glad to have a task. "Is an Americano ok?"

"Fine."

Kit wasn’t certain when she extended the invitation that Tina would even take her up on it. Then again, there’s a lot that seemed to be changing quickly, anymore. When a couple that appeared as solid as Tina and her sister, Bette, could break up, it just reinforced for Kit that any change was likely.

Working in uncomfortable silence, Kit prepared the drinks and returned to the table, seating herself across from Tina.

"You look good," Kit lied. Tina looked anything but. Her face appeared puffy, and she looked tired. Probably from sleeping on the couch, if she was sleeping at all.

Tina toyed with the cup, turning it in the saucer. She nodded, but didn’t speak.

"Hey," Kit said. "It’s good to see you."

Tina stilled her hands. Kit made herself wait out another uncomfortable silence.

"It looks good in here," Tina said, finally. "A little different."

The Planet. While a little voice was beginning to nag at Kit that she should get back to work, talking about a safe topic was better than all the silence. "I had to give it my own sense of style, of course." Kit leaned back, waving an arm around at her new business. "But honestly, it was mostly turnkey."

"If I ask you something, will you tell me the truth?" As Tina asked the question, it pained Kit to look into her eyes. There was so much hurt there, unveiled, close to the surface.