Bette thinks to herself “perfect”. She returns a few calls, straightens the files on her desk, and heads out the door.

Bette: “James, I’ll be out for the rest of the afternoon, forward all calls to my cell, please.”

James: “No problem…have a good one.”

Bette: “You, too.”

Later…………..

Bette sits at the station watching the clock. She has been there for 45 minutes and still has heard nothing of her sister’s release. She gets up and walks impatiently back and forth across the lobby stopping every couple of minutes to watch the slow hand of her watch tick away. The officer at the desk eyes her with irritation.

Officer: “Ma’am if you’ll please remain seated, we’ll let you know when you’re needed.”

Bette is getting frustrated, “Well, how much longer do you think this is going to take?”

Officer: “There is a fair amount of paperwork involved in a release. We will release your sister as soon as everything is completed, now please take your seat.”

Bette sits down and contemplates retorting, but thinks better of it in light of the situation. Half an hour later Kit walks out of the holding area and greets her sister, “Hey, how long did you have to wait?”

Bette: “Ah just about an hour or so. Are you ready?”

Kit: “Yeah”

Bette weaves her way through the afternoon traffic to Kit’s apartment.

Bette: “Do you need anything before we get you home?”

Kit: “No, I think I’m good I’m just tired….the doc said I need to get plenty of rest.”

Bette: “Yeah I’ll bet.” She looks at kit, the tears in her eyes threatening to fall, “I’m so glad you’re ok. I love you, you know that right?”

Kit: “I know….I love you too and thank you again for helping me out.”

Bette pulls into the lot and shuts off the engine, “Did they set a court date yet?”

Kit: “I have to go in a month. They’ll probably send me through court referral to drug court.”

Bette: “Well, good.”

Kit sarcastically: “Yeah, I get to wait a month before they put me on color code or some ***** like that.”

Bette cuts her eyes at her sister, “Kiiitttttt? You need to be positive about this. It’s only in your best interest. I thought you wanted to get clean.”