Hate you? Tina smiles. She puts a strand of hair behind Bette’s ear. Baby she adores you. Bette don’t you know that by now?

Maybe but she can still be scary. Bette scoots down. Can you just hold me now?

Yes, baby. Bette puts her face in Tina’s chest throwing her leg over her. Tina puts her chin on top of Bette’s head after patting down Bette’s wild hair.

Mmmm, God you feel so good. I miss you.

So do you baby. Tina rubs Bette’s back. I don’t sleep well without you. After this week never again. Now stop talking.

Ok. Love you baby.

Love you too.

After about a half an hour Lynn came through seeing them on the couch. I was wondered where you two got off to. She stops seeing that they were sleeping. She watches for a minute thinking she was very happy her little girl was happy and that no matter what she did, she could not keep the two apart. They were like magnets. But it sure is fun trying. She giggles to herself. Tina moved a little so Lynn tip-toed back to the kitchen where Jeffery was making himself another sandwich.

What have you done to make those girls so tired?

Me? Maybe you should be asking them that question. He smirks

What are you talking about?

Nevermind Mom. He says smiling. They cleaned out the barn this morning that’s all.

Wasn’t that your job?

Let’s just say they volunteered.

~~~~~~~~~~

That afternoon Tina and her mom were sitting out on the back porch watching as the tent was going up in the backyard. Bette was talking with Richard and Laurel. They had brought a mobile kitchen, which was being leveled out by Jeffery and Joe.

Tina was watching Bette laugh and smile while Laurel and Richard told some funny story, she guessed. Mom?

Yeah. Lynn was busy watching Joe crawl under the rear of the kitchen to dig and make room for cinder blocks.

How did you make…Tina suddenly felt like a child.

Make what honey?

Tina was staring out at her bride to be. Make it work for so many years… Tina was not believing she was asking but she needed to know. Her heart was beating fast as she looked down to her toes now continuing her thought..I mean Daddy went off months at a time working on the pipeline. How did you keep him from…