Chapter 8

Tina is putting the candles on the table wondering where Bette is.  Why didn’t she answer her phone?  She should have been home 45 minutes ago. Just then she hears the front door open.  Bette enters with 2 bags full of groceries. 

“We were supposed to go shopping together on Saturday.  Why did you go without me?”

“Tina, you shouldn’t be walking the aisles food shopping in your condition when I’m perfectly capable of doing it for us!  Besides, I want to make your lunch for tomorrow and I needed more food.”

Tina rolled her eyes. 

While emptying the bags Bette asks, “Why don’t you call Shane and ask if she wants ham or turkey with her crackers tomorrow?”

Tina just blinks and stares at her.

Bette turns around, smirks at Tina and says cockily.

“Do you STILL not know me?  After all these years you think you can get over on me?”  She laughs.

Tina stands there wondering if Bette knows about the Ding Dongs too.  She decides to say nothing and change the subject.

“Babe, leave the bags alone and come sit down.  I have your favorite tonight.”  She smiles sweetly.

Bette puts the refrigerated food away, walks to the table and sits down.  Tina puts the bowls of warmed up gumbo and  etouffe on the table and kisses Bette warmly on the mouth.

“I love you.  Now eat.  I know you only had a package of goldfish crackers and a bottle of powerade today.”

Tina raised her eyebrows as if to say, ‘Who knows who around here’ and sits down at the table with Bette.

“I love you too, baby.” Bette smiled and started eating.

They made small talk throughout the meal.  Sharing stories of the day, trying to talk about anything other than Kelly.  Tina trusted Bette and didn’t want to add anymore stress to her situation.  Besides, after she got all the information she needed from her dad….she would take care of this Kelly bitch herself.  They made suggestions for how to spend the weekend.  Tomorrow would be Friday.  Everybody loves Friday!

The kitchen was cleaned of the dirty dishes and lunch was packed for the next day.  Tina had shared her concerns about Bette’s unhealthy eating habits and that she looked tired.  When Tina made a turkey and swiss cheese sandwich for Bette and put it in a bag with some grapes.  She said, “I need you to eat this with your goldfish tomorrow.  For me.”  How could Bette say no to that request?