Bette climbed into bed and stretched out, practically groaning with relief. It had been a long day. She hadn’t been so glad to get some rest in a long time. She rolled over and pecked Tina on the lips.

“Goodnight, T.”

Tina was reading but Bette didn’t mind the light. She rolled back over and buried her head in her pillow. Rest. Well earned rest.

She was just dozing off when Tina spoke. “Still awake, Bette?”

“Mmm? What is it, T?” Bette said sleepily.

“I was just thinking.”

“Thinking about…”

“Well. I thought it would be nice if we got Angie a pet. For Christmas.”

Bette rolled over slightly. “That wouldn’t be very practical, would it? We’re about to move.”

“Yes, I know. I was thinking, though. The poor little thing has had so much upheaval and change in her life. Wouldn’t it be nice if she had something constant? Other than us, I mean.”

“Tina…”

“I had a little kitten when I was her age. His name was Edgar. He was such a sweet thing. I had him until I left for college.”

“You never said,” Bette yawned. “What happened to him?”

“He lived to a ripe old age and just ran off one day. Cats do that, you know. Run off before they die.”

“How thoughtful of them,” Bette said drowsily. Sleep was tantalizingly close.

“Well?” Tina’s voice butted in again. Bette tried not to grit her teeth.

“Well what, T?” Bette sighed. “I said it was impractical and it is. At least let’s wait until we get to New York.”

“I just thought it would be such a wonderful present. She’d never expect it.”

“She’s too little too look after a pet, even a kitten. Would you want to change the litter box every day?”

“I would, if it would make Angie happy. And so would you.”

Bette smiled with her eyes closed. “Don’t count on that.”

“You talk a good game but you’re as soft as a cream puff where our little girl is concerned.”

“Mmhmm…” Bette edged ever closer to sleep.

“What about a puppy, then?”

“No, T. Nothing that poops, okay? Can you imagine me trying to walk some mutt through Manhattan and picking up its–its droppings myself? No, thank you.”

“A guinea pig?”

“No rodents. Not in my house. No.”

Tina sighed. “Fine.”

“She’ll have plenty of nice things on Christmas. Now is not the time for a pet, T.”

“Okay.” Tina sounded sad, but Bette couldn’t think of anything reassuring to say. Her eyelids felt like lead and refused to open.

“Night, T.”

“Night, babe.”

Bette dozed off almost immediately.

“What about a goldfish?”

Bette sighed deeply. “Goldfish?”

“Yes. Their poop is contained, so no complaints there.”

“It certainly won’t last until she leaves for college.”

Tina laughed. “I doubt it would last until we leave for New York.”

“Tomorrow, T. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

Bette sighed and was close to drifting off when Tina spoke again.

“You do think it’s a good idea, though, right?”

Bette sat up and flipped the covers back, swinging her legs down to the floor. She stood up and stretched.

“Where are you going?” Tina asked.

“Buy some goldfish. There must be a pet store open somewhere.”

“Babe, that can wait until morning. I thought you wanted to sleep.”

“Sleep? Who needs that?” Bette dodged deftly out of the way as Tina threw a pillow at her.

“Get back in bed right now,” Tina said with mock authority.

Bette raised her eyebrows. “Bed? When there are goldfish to buy?”

“We’ll go together tomorrow. Have a look at the kittens?”

Bette climbed back into bed, having made her point. She kissed Tina twice, for good measure. “Goldfish, T. No kittens,” she said as she drifted off, knowing full well that Tina would get her way in the end.