Tina? T?
Silence. The connection was lost. Bette closed her phone and held it against her chest for a long time. Her sunglasses hid the tears that had formed after she heard Tina say, I just wanted to hear to say hello. In that hesitation Bette is certain that Tina was going to say, I just wanted to hear your voice. She misses me, Bette thinks. She cannot help but smile at this new development. Her mind races ahead to when Tina gets the letter in the morning and finds out that Bette is in New Mexico. Her earlier anxiety about it is replaced with optimism. She imagines that Tina will call her right away and ask her to come down there, or maybe shell want to come up here.
Ah, that would be nice, Bette thought. We havent been on a vacation together in a long time. We can get re-acquainted with each other here. She sighed and enjoyed her reunion fantasy.

**
When Tina returned to the house it was empty except for Lobo the dog. He greeted her with his usual enthusiasm and Tina welcomed his affection. As she turned to walk towards her bedroom she saw a card on the side table with her name on it. It was a homemade card without an envelope. When Tina opened it a cut-out popped up in the shape of a hand holding a flower. Inside it said:

Ive been called an opportunist before and perhaps
last night the name fit. I plead guilty to attraction, but
Im sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I hope we can
talk soon, Mary

Tina rolled her eyes and sighed. She opened and closed the card a few more times just to watch the pop-up work. Artist, she thought. She carried it to the bedroom and tossed it on the dresser.
The dog trotted away toward the front door and barked once. A few minutes later Tina heard a key in the lock and then her mothers voice greeting Lobo. There was some residual tension between Tina and her mother, despite Tinas apology the night before. Tina decided to let her mother settle in a little while before she went to say hello. She plugged her phone in to re-charge and went into the bathroom. After about fifteen minutes, Tina left her bedroom and walked through the living room toward the kitchen. She found her mother sitting at the kitchen counter going through the mail.
Hi, Tina said softly.
Diane looked up. Hi, She looked at her daughter. How are you?
Ok, Tina walked past her to the cabinet and picked out a glass. How was your day?
Fine, nothing unusual.
Tina filled the glass with water from the faucet, and stood at the sink. Her mother did not turn around as she spoke.
What do you feel like eating tonight?
Uh, actually my stomachs a little off today, so Ill just have something simple.
HmmDoes it have anything to do with the tequila bottle and the empty shot glass that I found on the counter this morning?
Tina turned red and felt as if she were sixteen again. Sorry, she said, looking down at the floor.
Diane turned around. Neither woman said anything for a moment. Then Diane said quietly, You dont need to apologize to me, honey. Im just concerned.
Tina nodded and felt tears welling up in her eyes. Diane stood up and crossed the kitchen to stand next to her daughter.
Tough day?
Tina nodded and let out a gasp that was followed immediately by tears.
Diane put her arms around Tina and held her daughter while she cried. Countless times Diane had soothed her daughters hurts and fears and worries as she grew. It was familiar and soothing to both of them. The solace that Tina found in her mothers embrace also brought comfort to her mother to give it.

***

Bette swirled the red wine in her glass and smelled its bouquet before she sipped it. At another time, even a day before, she might have noticed the woman seated a few tables away who was attempting to catch her eye with an admiring glance. Today though, Bettes mind was preoccupied with planning for Tinas arrival. She was going to show Tina the town and the incredible natural scenery surrounding it, as she had wanted to in the past. Bette knew she might be getting ahead of herself, Tina hadnt even received her letter yet, but it was the first spark of hope that shed had in two weeks and she couldnt help herself.

***
The phone rang and Diane answered. Tina was standing back at the counter and had resumed sipping her water.
Oh, hi Alice.
Tina looked up, a little surprised.
Sure, shes right here. Hold on one moment, please. Diane held the phone out for Tina. Its Alice.
Hi, Tina said, followed by a flood of words from Alice.
Hey, I didnt know your mother lived on Melrose Place.
What?
Shane filled me in. The drunken kissing with the neighbor, the fight with your mother, Bettes flowers – Ive been trying to reach you on your cell. Finally, I just looked up your mothers number. Whats going on out there?
Tina looked over at her mother who was putting the kettle on the stove. Yeah, well, its been kind of busy here.
Diane walked out of the room. Tina turned her back to the door and lowered her voice.
I cant talk long, but things are better now than they were when I talked to Shane this morning.
Good. Ok, just gimme the quick rundown. Whatd you do about the neighbor chick?
Nothing, yet.
Did you talk to Bette?
Yeah, briefly.
Where is she?
What do you mean?
I mean I talked to Kit today and she said Bette went away for awhile – for a vacation.
Tina absorbed this information for a moment wondering where Bette was when she spoke to her this afternoon. Then she had a gut wrenching thought. Tinas heart leapt into her throat.
Tina?
With great difficulty, Tina spoke. Alice, did Kit say if Betteif shewent alone?
Oh, shitno but she said that Bette broke it off with Candace so she cant be
Tina felt her body relax a little.
And she sent you flowers, Tina, she wouldnt do that if she were on a hot trip with someone.
Do you mind? Tina said, raising her voice.
Sorry, I just meant
I know, Tina sighed.
So, call me later and give me the details youre leaving out now.
Tina smiled. Ok, thanks for calling.
No problem. Dana says hi.
Oh, tell her I say hi back. Hows she doing?
Fine, Alice lowers her voice to a whisper. More later.
Ok, bye Al.
Bye.

***
a short time later

That sounds good, honey, Diane said into the phone. She was talking to Wayne about the take-out food he was going to bring home.
Tina was seated at the kitchen table. The music she had chosen was playing in the background, and a fresh piece of cinnamon toast was sitting in front of her waiting to be tasted.
Oh you know what? Get an order of egg drop soup. Yeah, OK, well see you soon, honey. Bye. Diane hung up the phone and returned to her seat across the table from Tina.
I thought you might like the soup, its gentle on the stomach, she said.
Tina smiled, Thanks, and thanks for the toast.
My pleasure.
Diane looked at her daughter. Her face was pale but her eyes were intent and thoughtful. She waited to see if Tina would share her thoughts.
Its been so great being here with you, Mom. Its been a haven for me and I so needed that.
Diane smiled warmly and put her hand on Tinas arm.
Today wasnt so good, but a lot of that was the hangover and Tina hesitated and decided not to bring Mary into the conversation. Overall, I feel stronger and and better and Ive been thinkingyou know maybe
Diane took her daughters hand and said, You should go home?
Tina looked up at her mother. Yeah, she said softly.