Bette relented some in her posture and her attitude and said “Tina, I honestly have not been feeling well the last few days. I have had low energy and stomach unrest. I have felt dizzy more often than I told you. I just didn’t want you to worry or tense up about it and I thought it would go away. I was hoping it was related to medicine and adjusting to doing more physical activity on my own. I was trying to make it a mind over matter thing”.

Tina looked at Bette disapprovingly and said “Bette Porter, you need to be honest with me and tell me how you are really doing. How am I supposed to be taking care of you and reporting to the doctors if you are holding back from me? Now I am really glad that we are over here and I am anxious to see what the lab work shows us about what is going on with you”.

Bette exhaled heavily and said “Well come over and sit with me, I guess we are waiting this one out together”.

Tina got up in the hospital bed with Bette. Now that she had a cast on her leg it was a little bit easier. Tina went to hold Bette’s hand and saw the all too familiar IV line hooked up and just ran her hands over the back of  Bette’s hand.  Tina exhaled as well and settled back on the upright Bette. She leaned her head on Bette’s shoulder.

Bette said “Babe?”

Tina said “Yes?”

Bette said “You smell awful. I am sorry. I know it’s my fault, but you are making me sick to my stomach!”

Tina said “Yeah well you puked all over me Porter. What was I supposed to do? It isn’t like you gave me warning or anything!”

The girls both laughed with one another and then Bette said “Seriously Tee, that is gross. I am so sorry”.

Tina said “Bette, don’t worry about it! Let me see if I can get some scrubs or something else to wear. This is pretty gross, but up until this moment I wasn’t even worried about it”.

Tina got up and rang the buzzer for a nurse or attendant and explained the situation and asked if she could have another shirt to wear.  The nurse brought her a scrub shirt nearly immediately and some disinfectant wipes to clean off with.   After giving herself a little bathing session and changing her shirt, Tina went back to lay down with Bette”.

Tina said “Is this better baby?”

Bette said “Mmmm… yeah, the smell of disinfectant really does it for me!”

Tina leaned in and kissed Bette tenderly. The laced hands and sat and waited for the results of the lab work or to get moved to a hospital room, whichever occurred first.