Tina : Bette, at some stage we need to talk about our future.
Bette : Tina, isnt that what we have been doing ?
Tina : Bette, isnt it more that we have been talking about what lead to the breakdown of our relationship ?
Bette : Frowning a little. Yes, I guess so, Tee, what is it you would like to talk about in relation to our future ?
Tina : Would you like to talk about it now or do you think we have talked enough today, we covered a lot of issues
Bette : I think Id like to talk about now, Id like to know what you mean for the first time Im showing some impatience. Will this never be over ?
Tina : OK, well, I think things need to be different
Bette : Different ? How so ?
Tina : Come on Bette, if we do the same things over we will make the same mistakes
Bette : Can you be more specific ?
Tina : deep breath I think for one thing I would like to work part time once the baby is born. Bette, I feel like I gave up too much of myself, blended too much into you and us, and lost me. I think working will help maintain some autonomy
Bette : What else needs to change Tina ? just a little edge creeping into my voice.
Tina : Bette, please dont be upset, I a trying to help save our marriage, improve it so we never have to be here again
Bette : Really ? Was it all that bad Tina ? And what exactly is wrong with here ? I say sweeping my hand around the room.
Tina : Bette, I do not mean here geographically, I mean the place we are in our relationship
Bette : And where is that Tina because it seems for the last few months or so we have not had much of a relationship
Tina : thats what Im trying to avoid, either of us feeling like that. Bette, it wasnt all bad
Bette : It wasnt all bad, well I am glad to know Tina, that the last seven years havent been all bad for you. If you were to go back to work Tina, part-time, who would look after the baby ?
Tina : that is not what I meant Bette and you know it. The baby is one of the things we would have to work out, maybe day care for a couple of days a week, or one the gang can look after him or her.
Bette : And who is going to pick up the baby at 6pm Tina, when the day care shuts ?
Tina : Bette, some days me and some days you. I wanted to talk to you about that anyway. I know work is important but Bette our family needs to be priority number one. I dont want you coming home late from work, exhausted, grumpy and not really interested in me and the baby. You are going to have to do your bit Bette.

Bette : So now I am exhausted, grumpy and not interested ? That is just great. You know I cannot leave work at 5.30pm every day, it just isnt possible.
Tina just stared at me with a raised eyebrow I think in anger and I held her glare in disbelief. She cannot really expect me to be home at 6pm every night. What else needs to change ? I cannot believe she thinks I am not interested in her and the baby, or that I would not do my share.

Bette : I think I might go for a run into town, we dont have anything for dinner and I need the exercise. Really what I needed was time to think and process. I also needed to make a phone call without Tina being there. I changed into my jogging clothes and I hoped the few miles jog in would work off some of the resentment I was feeling. Resentment about being told I was not an attentive enough wife, about being told how my life and relationship was going to change. I got into town and decided the first thing to do was make the call I needed to.

Bette : hey Gary, its Bette. Can I ask a favour, you know how I organized the yacht for tonight, yeah, uh huh, yeah, no I still want it, (I think) but just not tonight, maybe one night next week. Thanks, yep, bye. I say the words as I realize the disappointment I feel about how far Tina and I are from being where I want us to be. I had planned to take Tina out on the yacht tonight and sail about in the moonlight, maybe have a glass of wine and just really lay about watching the outdoors and enjoying each others company. I had hoped that it might lead to something physical in all honesty but I see now that we are just are not ready. It is not a big yacht and not a big bay really, we could have just sailed out and dropped anchor. My thoughts were interrupted when I realized I wandered into the bakery. I hadnt seen Nicky since we had our run in the other day.
Nicky : Hey Bette
Bette : Hey
Nicky : Things better with the other half ?
Bette : Nicky, Im sorry about the other day, you know off loading on you and then
Nicky : Bette, its OK, really, I know it is a stressful time and whatever the problems, you guys will work it out. She loves you Bette, I could see that the other day when she was in here
Bette : Tina was in here ?
Nicky :You didnt know, yeah she came by, the morning after that uh, disagreement you guys had. You know Bette, we just talked, I once had a situation not that dissimilar
Bette : What did you say to her ? I wondered why she didnt leave and came back
Nicky : What does it matter, right ? We just talked Bette, she decided on her own to go back and see you
Bette : You are not going to tell me are you
Nicky : Bette, if you must know, ask your wife what was said, but I tell you this, she came back and some things are best left alone, just trust in them. Now, go on home Bette, here take these, gone on get your skinny butt back to that beautiful woman.

Meanwhile at the shack

Tina : Al, hi !
Alice : Tee, you are alive, where are you ?
Tina : I know I should have called earlier, Im here with Bette
Alice : You found Porter then ? How is it all going ? Is she there ?
Tina : Al, its hard you know but I think we are getting there. You what Bette is like, change is slow but I really think she is trying. Al, it is lovely here.
Alice : So are you guys coming home ? Are you back together ?
Tina : I think we are coming home in a week or so, maybe a week and a half. And we are back together but we still have some things to sort out. Listen Al I better go, Bette will be back soon but will you let the gang know we are safe and well and look forward to seeing them.
Alice : Sure thing Tee, take care, say Hi to Porter for me. Later.
Tina : Later.
A few moments after I hung up my cell, Bette came through the door. Shed been gone awhile and looked a little pooped.
Tina : Here, let me get those, did you walk home with them ?
Bette : Yes, I needed the fresh air. Tee I just wanted to let you know that I was thinking while I was out and I know we still have some things to talk about but I am happy with the way things are going and I guess I just hadnt thought about the changes with the baby, are you glad you came Tee ?
Tina : Yes Bette, we do have some things to think and talk about but I think we have made some real progress. I am happy Bette, being here trying to sort this out.
Bette : Tee do you mind if we just pack some dinner and we go to a spot I know. I hope you dont mind but I took the liberty of canceling the plans I made, I know you said you wanted to go ahead with them but the time is not right. Not right because I might have understated my thoughts about what would happen on the yacht. I had visions of a romantic dinner, making love to a pregnant Tee on the yacht and her offering my wedding ring back. A little hopeful maybe. I couldn’t take one more rejection.
Tina : Bette, is everything OK, I mean you didnt cancel the plans because.
Bette : Tee, everything is fine, I was just a bit ahead of myself. Tee just looked at me with a quizzical look and raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Tee, I might grab a quick shower and rest for an hour, is that OK.
Tina : Sure Bette. Wondering what plans shed cancelled.
I went into what had become our room by default really and pulled out the box from underneath the bed. I gently reached in through the foam and pulled out the mobile I had bought from the artist, briefly remembering the pass I had made at her, grateful not to have to do the dating game. I pulled it out and marveled at its beauty, its simplicity. I held it out in front of me, tears of joy and relief welled in my eyes and said to myself I think she will like this.
I was so wrapped up in the mobile I didnt see Tina was standing in the doorway. She must have been there for a few minutes
Tina :Bette ?