Tina: Am I distracting you while I’m here?

Bette:  No, you are being extremely helpful. I just do not want to impose on your free time any more than I already have. I want you to have a choice as to what you do. Just because I’m compelled to do this, does not mean you should be compelled to participate. I appreciate all that you have done so far and it has saved me a lot of time. But, don’t feel you have to continue if there is something else you would rather do.

Tina: Bette, this is a one-time project. There is a beginning and there is an end. I am all in. In for a penny, in for a dime. I am going to help you where I can until it’s finished. Besides, I do have a choice. Enjoy your company while you do this, or go do something else and wait to enjoy your company when you finish. I think I would rather enjoy your company while we both work on this project. So, let’s see where we are on Thursday night and then I will decide what I will do on Friday. If you just need time to write, maybe I will go to the studio and paint. By Friday there may be nothing I can help you with anyway. If that is the case, I will definitely consider my options. I’ll assist you with whatever you want me to assist you with. And if you want privacy, well, I’ll give you that too. As long as you are in my bed at the end of the day, I can work with you on whatever you need.

Bette: God, Tina how in the world did I ever get along without you. Thank you for helping me. I actually think that this will be ready by mid-week next week. And it’s all because of you. I really want to put this to on the shelf and go on. I hope it will do the same for Mary, Paris and Kit.

Tina:  I hope so too. But if it doesn’t, well any further inquiries will be up to them. Won’t it?

Bette: I think so. I think I have my answers. I really do not have any more questions. And if any come up, I doubt that I will feel compelled to find the answers. I think I know enough to understand that Melvin William Porter was not a man who was going to reveal who he was to anyone really including those he loved, and because of that, he led a very isolated and lonely life. Funny, but to his friends, it didn’t seem that way. I know enough to know that I do not want to make that mistake. And if I learned nothing else from my father, that is enough to make me thankful for the life I have and for the person I am trying to be. And most of all I thank the universe every day I am allowed to walk this earth and that I have you to walk with me.

Tina: Me too, Bette. Me too. Now, let’s go tell our young man it’s time for bed and say goodnight.

Bette and Tina turned out the light and headed for Daniel’s room. They tapped on the door lightly and opened it and saw that Daniel was already in bed and fast asleep. They went over and kissed his forehead and saw that he was okay and quickly left the room.

Bette:  I guess he had a hard day on the golf course. I hope he is drinking enough water.

Tina: Well, let’s keep an eye on him. If this keeps up, then we will get him in to be seen by his doctor. But you know, he’s in a growing stage. He may need more rest than what he’s getting. But he’s still eating well. Tomorrow, check what he’s eating in the school cafeteria. If there has been any change in that, let me know. But let’s not panic until we see something worth panicking about. And going to bed a little early one night is not it.

Bette:  Yes, mam… right on it. Actually, that is what he said his plan was when he left the dinner table. So, it does not seem unusual to me.

Tina:  Come on you… let’s go to bed ourselves.

They went to their room and did their usual night time routine and retired after setting the alarm. Sleep came easily.