"Of course," Kit responded, leaning forward.

"Did Bette ask you to call?"

The question hung between them for a moment. Kit reviewed all possible answers, from serious to flippant, and smiled a genuine smile. "Do you think my sister would ask me, or anyone, to speak on her behalf?"

The vague traces of a smile showed on Tina’s face. "Actually, no." But then the fleeting smile was gone. "But I can’t say I know her as well as I thought I did."

This was too much for Kit. Body language be damned. She reached out a hand and placed it over Tina’s. "I offered to speak with you. And you know the most surprising thing?"

Tina’s eyes widened. She gave a slight head shake, ‘no.’

"What surprised me was she said, ‘yes.’ My little sister, accepting help, from me." Kit gave the hand beneath hers a squeeze, punctuating the gesture with a laugh. "Can you imagine."

Kit watched as Tina took in a deep breath, and let it out before speaking. "No. But, a lot has happened recently that I could have never imagined."

Hearing the rawness of the emotion, Kit could feel her own eyes beginning to well up.

"It’s" Tina paused, and closed her eyes, rubbing them with her hand, appearing to collect her thoughts.

Taking advantage of the momentary silence, Kit rushed over to the coffee bar and grabbed a stack of napkins. She split the stack in two, setting a large bunch before each of them.

Tina grabbed one of the napkins and blotted at her nose. "Thanks." She looked down again for a second, and then returned her gaze to Kit. "Maybe this is what’s to be? Maybe she really doesn’t want me. Maybe I couldn’t be enough for her."

Despite the emotion behind them, Kit didn’t believe Tina’s words. She didn’t know if Tina believed her words. But there was nothing from Bette’s recent actions that could really say otherwise.

Kit placed her hand back on Tina’s. "I know, sweetie, she hurt you." The empathy of the words caused more tears to flow for Tina. "But she hurts, too."

"I appreciate this Kit." Tina glanced around the room. "I know you have a lot to do here. I should go."

As much as she’d liked to dispute that fact, the honest truth was that she really did need to continue with her work. Opening night was fast approaching. But she couldn’t let Tina go just yet. "Will you do one favor for me?"

Tina gave a noncommittal shrug as she grabbed a second napkin.

"Will you talk to her?"

As Kit waited, and watched, Tina slowly shredded the napkin she was holding.

"Please?" Kit added.

"I’ll think about it," Tina agreed. "I can’t promise. Not yet."

Kit gave Tina one more smile.

But Tina’s anxiety had clearly set in. She bolted towards the door, finally turning as she was about to exit. "Thanks, Kit. For the coffee."

"You’re welcome. We’ll expect to see you back here when we open."

Tina gave a meek nod in agreement, and exited.

Kit let out a breath. "Next time, baby sister," she said to herself. "Next time, you’re getting out of your messes on your own."

Still feeling weighed by the pain of the encounter, Kit returned to her work. Work would help. Doing something would help. Help her not to think of Bette, and of Tina. And of Ivan. It would help if she didn’t try to figure out when it all became such a mess.

(the end)