We ate a small meal delivered by a local deli. Pastrami with lettuce and olives on whole wheat for me, honey turkey, salami with swiss cheese for Tina and a small chicken soup for Evan. I never did figure out if Evan was faking to get us to stay home or she was really feeling sick, cause as we ate she kept taking bites off Tinas sandwich. More of the sandwich than the soup. Evan stayed by Tinas side the entire night. I was having difficulty finding a way to tell Tina my secret with my daughter being in the same room. I was hoping that by 11 oclock, Evan would have fallen asleep. But I couldnt be so lucky.

Are you ready for bed? I asked Evan leaning over Tina.

She laid against Tinas kind of burrowing herself into her side.

No.
But Evan, its past your bedtime.
I wanna stay up with Tina.
But sweetie…
Cmon, Bette, let her stay up, Tina suggested.
Tee, I was hoping for some alone time with you.
Babe, we will have all that alone time in a few weeks. Youll just have to sustain yourself until then, she smiled.
Even though that was not what I was talking, Tee, I can only hope that I can restrain myself from wanting you.
Bette, she said rolling her eyes in Evans direction.
She doesnt know what were talking about Tee.

Tina looked down at Evan and then back at me.

You really need alone time with me?
I need to tell you something. And I dont know when or if Ill ever work up the courage to again, I said seriously.

She looked at me. I mean really looked at me.

Evan, sweetie, Tina began, how about I tuck you in and read you a story, will you then want to go to bed?
Maybe.
Please, Tina begged.

Evan thought about it some more.

Okay.

Thank God.

Ill clean this up while you two read a story.

*****

They had been in Evans room for almost an hour. I was getting antsy but didnt want to interrupt the two of them bonding. I waited.

A light trace of her finger sweeping across my cheek woke me.

Hey.
Sorry I took so long. After I finished Cat in the Hat, she requested one more then another. I think she likes the voices I do for each character, she smiled.
Come here, I said pulling her down to the couch next to me.
What?