Tina just smiles a knowing smile she has heard Bette thinking on her feet before and realizes that this could be an idea they all like.

Seeing Tina’s smile Bette builds speed as she sees the whole idea spread out before her.

 “We spend a little time checking it out as we drop her off and then we head to one of the fabulous beaches you know Hatteras Island, Kitty Hawk or Nags Head … you know one of those for the first week.  I thought that way if she gets homesick or something we are close and can run over easily.”  Seeing that Tina is liking this idea she quickly adds, “And little trip of our own during that time will help us all cope with her being at camp.” Bette finishes happy to get the idea out.

***

“So are there any other ‘camp supplies’ I can help you with?” Rachael asks Bette while they both focus on the trying to sketch the sunlight crossing through the most amazing sky.

“You know on days like today I wish we were using watercolors instead of pencils,” Bette responds ignoring Rachael’s question for the moment.

Rachael had brought another brightly wrapped present for Angelica.  It was an assortment of markers in all colors.  It was one of the items of supplies that each camper was to bring to the camp.  In the last month Rachael has offered up some sort of art item, charcoals, chalks, pads, some art supply that Bette dutifully takes over to Angelica.  Always the sticker for protocol, Bette makes Angelica sit down and write out a thank-you for each item received.  Rachael was getting such a kick out to the little notes that she just couldn’t stop bringing supplies.

“You know Tina is beginning to wonder if you are trying to buy my attention through my daughter.” Bette jokes when Rachael presented this weeks present.

To this remark Rachael just laughs.  She has been present when Tina and Bette had met for coffee.  From first hand observation she has seen the electrical current flow between those two.  “Oh right like she is jealous.  Hey I still have a month left before you guys leave are you trying to tell me to stop because I already have the next four items all picked out.” Rachael says pulling herself away from her drawing and getting a little serious for a moment.

Bette hears the change in tone, which makes her look up more than the words said.  “No not at all actually Tina and I are moving into a good place.  We seem to be making up ground.” Bette offers to Rachael but doesn’t go into any details.

What she didn’t say was that this weekly meeting was about the only time that Bette wasn’t at Tina’s house lately.  They each seem to be recapturing some of the magic that was the hallmark of their first go around.