“Well, it’s Saturday, so you’ll be free.”

When Bette tilted her head back to argue the point, she saw that Shane had slipped back into the hallway, and she groaned in the loneliness of her room. Shane was probably already relaxing on the couch where she would sleep for the night – most likely in absolute peace while Bette tossed and turned. “Fuck,” she breathed to herself, slowly unbuttoning her shirt. The day had been too long.

%%%%%%

“Damn, that was awkward.”

“I’m so glad you told him off though,” Tasha chuckled, washing her hands for what felt like the hundredth time that day – not such an over-exaggeration.

Tina turned to her friend after having opened her locker. “I didn’t tell him off. I just … told him.”

Dana put on her coat with a smile, “Yeah, you told him you were a big ole lesbo.”

All three of them laughed as another doctor, Pat, peeked her head into the room. “Hey, I have another pre-op, but I really have to run tonight. Could … someone stay?”

“Don’t look at me. I’m still on duty,” Tasha smiled, raising her hands.

Dana pouted toward Tina, “But I’m going out tonight … for once.”

Tina rolled her eyes at her friend, uncontrollably smiling. “Yeah yeah. Get out of here.” Then she smiled at Pat and nodded. “Yeah yeah, I’ve got it.”

“Oh, thanks a million!”

They all teased each other for a while longer until Dana made her way out, and Tina and Tasha were walking down the hall together.

 “So what are you up to?”

 “Plans with my cousin, but I don’t wanna be social,” Tina chuckled, both of them headed to the same area of the building so they could talk a while longer. “I really don’t. Just not this weekend.”

 “It’s just family time, right?”

 “I wish it were that simple,” Tina chuckled, “Uh, I just don’t see why I can’t snuggle up on my couch with some girl and just … be.”

Tasha just shook her head. “Last time I checked, you needed a girl to do that. Listen, you really do need to get out – it might help your sad situation. Seriously. You’re not usually so tense. You’re scaring me.”

 “I went out last weekend!”

 “On the blind date who basically interrogated you? Yeah, she was a winner.”

 “Lay off!” Tina laughed, as quietly as she could. She picked up a clipboard from the nurse’s station and skimmed over it. “I’ll call you tonight, okay?”

“Don’t make me come kidnap your ass,” Tasha laughed, walking in the other direction to see to her own duties.

 “I have a great ass,” Tina mumbled jokingly, and as luck would have it, Brenden was rushing past her with a skip in his step.

 “Shake it, girl!”

Tina couldn’t help but laugh again, thankful that if nothing else, she could find the comedy in such little moments.