"I know it’s only really for boys," Tina said, looking a bit disappointed, and Bette saw that she felt teased – like she had no right to think she could be of any help.

"No, I didn’t mean it that way," Bette said immediately, before Tina looked up at her, and a part of her just flourished. "You’re just as good as any help I’d get, alright?"

A little smile revealed itself as Tina stepped closer still, wrapping her arms around Bette simultaneously in a warm hug. "Thank you."

The simple touch of the girl sent Bette into shock, but the sensation grew on her. And as unnatural as it seemed for such a rough persona, she felt her arms returning the embrace. She hoped Tina couldn’t hear her heart racing with the unexpected invasion of her personal space. It had been so long since anybody had gotten that close to her. She closed her eyes with a smile, finally relaxing with the girl’s unconditional kindness. "It’s true, Tina."

"Tina?" she asked, a smile of confusion on her lips. Suddenly Bette was embarrassed – she hadn’t meant to voice the little nickname. "Uh …"

"No, I like it," Tina giggled, walking back toward the door in playfulness. "Come out and help me already. I can’t do all the work myself, Lumberjill."

The small teasing fascinated Bette. She had never heard anyone call her something even remotely as darling and strange as ‘Lumberjill’, but she found herself enjoying the taunt. It was something a friend would do.

After she followed Tina out of her house – and once again was thankful for the many trees protecting her privacy on the lot – they got to work at raking. Sure enough, Tina teased her still, jumping in her pile of leaves or throwing some toward her and messing up all of her work, but she didn’t mind.

As Bette wasn’t used to the teasing or friendliness between them, she found herself a bit awkward in the situation, but Tina saw it, and she didn’t care. She teased her just the same, demanding a tolerance that built up through the afternoon, and as they worked on the pile of firewood. Bette helped Tina carefully swing the axe, safely and with the required amount of force. She was surprised at the young girl’s strength.

While they worked, they even played – Tina helping Bette all the while with her response and replies. She was beginning to tease the girl back, not so afraid of frightening the blond. Tina seemed almost like a puppy or a little rabbit, timid in some ways and unforgivably curious in another. She loved the girl’s enthusiasm and motivation to learn all that Bette would teach her.

When the sun had lowered only slightly in the beautifully clear sky, Bette could see it was early afternoon, and decided they had worked long enough. She invited Tina in for a bit of a rest. The last thing she wanted was for Tina to return home, sweaty and panting from her house with clothes dishevelled. She smiled to herself at the awful, twisted humour there.

She made some tea for them both, so as not to pressure the girl into drinking her bitter coffee, and sat down at the table with her cup.

"Don’t you have a cute little swing out there?" Tina asked, standing on her tiptoes to look out the small kitchen window. "I think I saw it earlier."

Bette stood with a smile, "I can’t hide anything from you." She chuckled and made her way out the back door – Tina following closely behind – and walked through the backyard to a place most secluded. It was a peaceful patch of grass almost entirely surrounded by evergreens, with the sun just peaking through. In the middle was an old cedar pergola swing set; perfect for a patio, but peacefully comforted by the homely trees around it.

"This is so nice," Tina smiled, watching Bette take her corner and relax with her arm over the back of the swing. It was natural and it was her usual position, assuming Tina would take the opposite end. Instead, Tina sat directly beside her, the mug balanced on both of her knees. She didn’t lean into Bette’s arms, but she didn’t shy away either.

They just sat in silence, looking out to the trees and enjoying the sweet raspberry tea; each moment more comforting than the last.