Once everything was squared away, we made our way to the car park and began our drive to the hotel.  The drive was mostly quiet.  I, for one, was afraid of what might be said and I didn’t want to ruin the semblance of peace we had managed to create since her arrival.  As thoughts of our past swirled in my head, I felt her hand rest lightly on my thigh.  I looked at her briefly and then returned my focus to the highway.  She seemed to be fighting her own emotions and I wondered if she were about to broach that difficult topic, instead she asked, “How are you?”  The question surprised me as I honestly didn’t know how to answer without seeming wounded so I chose the safe route and replied, “I’m great.  Business is good, as usual…”  She looked at me curiously, as if she knew I was holding back but seemed content, at least for now, and merely nodded.  As the drive continued we were only about 10 minutes from the hotel, she appeared to become even more restless, nervous.  “Bette, you know you can talk to me, right?  I didn’t expect to come here and sweep everything under the rug.  I’m prepared to talk about things…other than our mundane day-to-day routines.”  I shook my head, “Tina, I just…I don’t want to discuss those things right now.  I just want to enjoy this time with you.”  I pulled up to the front drive of the hotel and she abandoned her appeal for conversation as she began unbuckling her seat belt.  I mimicked her actions and walked to the trunk of the car to get her luggage.  “Do you need help with your things?”  She smiled desperately and shook her head, “No, I think I can manage.”  I could tell she was struggling and I didn’t want to leave her under such circumstances but I wasn’t ready to make concessions, either.  She began loading her suitcases onto the luggage trolley and I helped her into the hotel.  She turned and gave me a hug, “Thank you for picking me up. I wasn’t sure if you would be willing to see me.”  I offered her one of my best smiles.  She responded, almost predictably, with a light blush.  “I told you it was my pleasure, Tina.”  She laughed, “Yes, you did, but please don’t believe it was solely your pleasure.”  Now it was my turn to blush as she continued, “Are you free for dinner tonight?”  I nodded, “Absolutely.  My schedule has been cleared for the evening, just for you.  Shall I pick you up?”  She quickly took a pen from her purse and wrote her room number on my palm, “Sure that would be nice.  This is my room number. What do you say 7 o’clock?”  As I reluctantly retrieved my hand from her grasp I couldn’t help but notice the presence of her wedding band.  Although, I should expect her to be wearing the ring her husband gave her, seeing the physical reminder is almost more than I can bear.  She noticed the change in my expression and quickly pulled her hand away, “So can I expect you then?”  All I could manage was a nod and a strained reply, “I’ll be here.”