"I told you the foot rub would help," Bette said seriously.

Tina couldn't help but chuckle at this remark as she brushed a few stray strands of hair from Bette's face. She then ran the palm of her hand over the crown of her head. Bette's eyes closed and her breathing immediately became more measured and relaxed. In moments she had indeed drifted to sleep.

********

Bette woke up the next day, hardly able to believe how much better she felt. She heard a sneeze from the bathroom. Tina walked out, her robe tied snugly at the waist, fuzzy slippers surrounding cold toes. She carried a tall glass of water in one hand and a bottle of Echinacea and zinc tablets in the other.

"Oh oh," Bette said. "My turn to dote on you?"

Tina blew her nose into a tissue in response.

"At least we have the good sense to get sick at different times," Tina said as she crawled into their bed. "You're nice and warm, let me cuddle up against you."

Bette sat up slightly in the bed and waved Tina over to lean on her. She then rested her arm across Tina's shoulders as she snuggled in.

"Tell me a story," Tina suggested.

"A story?" Bette asked.

Tina paused and looked up at Bette with pleading eyes.

"Yeah, any story will do. The sound of your voice will help me sleep."

"I'm not sure I like that my voice will make you sleepy," Bette replied.

"You know what I mean," Tina grinned at Bette's interpretation, in spite of how sick she felt.

We all have our ways of feeling better, even when we're feeling our worst.

(the end.)