“How about we go find out how she is doing? 
I can’t stand to sit here any more.” 
Bette said, and Candace nodded her agreement.  Bette‘s unwillingness to leave was flustering the
carpenter, why was she so intent on staying here?  Was there something more going on here than a
simple employee/employer situation going on here?

It had been two long days, and Bette had yet to move from her place next to Rosita’s bed.  The young Latina hadn’t awoken yet.  The doctor kept assuring her that she’d wake
up, that it was her body’s way of healing itself.  Bette sat at her bedside, waiting for that moment as the
days bled away into night, and night slipped away into day.

Candace had gone and gotten her fresh clothes,
and food, but Bette just couldn’t leave her, not until she knew she was
ok, and still then she’d have a hard time leaving.  She knew that to be true, what kept her here.  Guilt.

Bette felt entirely responsible for what had
happened to Ro, if she hadn’t left her card on the faithful day.  If the young woman hadn’t shown up at the
CAC, taking out the guards and impressing Bette with her innocence and wisdom.  If, if, and more if’s.  She sighed, rubbing her tired eyes as the
monitors beeped and kept pace of the woman’s heart.  Her brain waves still active, just in a deep
sleep.

Because you saw something in her that you wish,
you saw in yourself, a new outlook on the cold harsh world around you.  The voice in her mind said softly,
sounding very much like Tina for a moment.

“Bette?” 
Candace said from behind her, and Bette turned, getting up and kissing Candace gently. 
Candace pulled her close, and Bette felt better the moment she put her arms
around her.

“You want to go for lunch?  I’m on a
break you look so tired.  Come home, I’ll
take the afternoon off and….”  Bette cut her off with the wave of a hand.

“No, I can’t.  I have to be here when…”  Bette began, and Candace cut her off, worried about Bette.

“They can call you.”  Candace said, but Bette was dead set against it, she was staying.  Candace let out a defeated breath; she was getting angry
about the situation that had unfolded.