“Where’s Aunt Kay and Aunt Jessie?”

“Oh they’re down in the cafeteria getting some coffee for us. They’ll be back any minute.”

“How’s Dad. Have you spoken to the doctor?”

“Larry sleeping right now, he didn’t wake up for long today. I called you when we got her a couple hours ago. I left a message.”

Tina immediately began crying  in relief as it sank in that the call she missed was not the doctor.

“Dr. Lanerd said he would speak to us as soon as you arrived. But Tina, sweetie I need to tell you, downstairs with Kay and Jessie is your mom. She got here about 20 minutes ago frantic rattling off something about jail and the devil andumlesbians?”

“Oh god, she’s here?”

“She’s herebible in hand.”

“Oh no, here I was worried about Eric. How am I gonna get rid of her Barb?

“Just leave that to us. You can tell me all about it later ok?…Oh by the way (She leaned in and whispered in Tina’s ear) she’s gorgeous.” And with a nudge she turned on her heal and headed towards the waiting room. “Come on girls. Bette you’ll have to wait in here while Tina’s sees her Dad. It’s family only in there.

“Thank you Barb.”

Barb took Tina by the hand and started to lead her back to her father’s room. Bette reached out to Tina and grabbed her other hand and squeezed gently before sitting down.

As they approached Larry’s room, Carol was already there holding his hand. She saw Tina and stood up to hug her. Tina could only look in his direction. She received the hug and immediately reached out to touch him. She managed to hold on to his arm as she broke down and cried. Carol left the room with Barb to give them a moment alone.

Tina looked up through cloudy eyes and tried her best to focus on him. He looked so fragile to her. Something he had never looked before to her.

“DadI don’t know if you can hear me. Somehow, I think you can. I don’t know what’s going to happen now. Where they’re going to take you or anything. I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up earlier. It’s a long story, I’m sure you would actually get a kick out of it so I’ll save the good stuff for when I know you can hear me. But for now, I just want to tell you how much you mean to me. You have always filled my world with so much substance. Something I didn’t get with mom, bless her heart…There’s something else.. I know you’ll understand and love me no matter what I hope. I’m in lovewith a woman named Bette Porter. She’s beautiful and intelligent, bullheaded and stubborn too! But, I’m scared to death Dad. I know what I want, and that’s her. But I just don’t know if I’m strong enough to go against Mom. She’s so..well you knowreligious.”

“Follow your heart T” she heard.

“What? Dad did you say something?” All she heard in response were the machines beeping and chirping. She wasn’t sure if he responded or if it was in her head. But it was clear as day, his voice telling her to follow her heart.

“Tina” Another voice spoke from the doorway.

Tina turned to see Dr. Lanerd standing there.

“Tina your family is waiting to hear the results. Please come with me?”

She looked back at her father as they left the room and said a small prayer in her head.

“Please keep him safe, and let your will be done. Amen.”

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>