“Tasha and Shane stole the baby for the day, are you with them?” Bette stopped mid step to reread the text. It made her smile and laugh a little, if she hadn’t known any better she would think Tina was pissed.
“No, it’s the third Sunday of the month, I’m home bound.”
“May I join you?” Even in the text Bette could hear the polite tone of Tina’s voice. It was so cute.
“Of course, I’ll leave the door unlocked.” Bette went to unlock the door and went back to what she always did on the third Sunday of every month. Clean. She’d move heavy furniture to clean behind and underneath it and change the colors in the guest bedroom and bathroom every month. Even if no one had utilized the room she always changed the linens and the curtains. That’s what she was in middle of doing when Tina appeared in the doorway.
“Hey Babe.” She smiled at Bette still holding her house keys in the hand of her propped up arm. Bette looked up while she was tucking the fitted sheet of the bed. She smiled finally hooking the corner before standing up straight putting her hands on her hips. She knew what Tina was thinking and it made her laugh at the anxious childlike bite to the side of her lip. Bette shook her head and gave her a small nod, “Go ahead.”
With a giddy giggle Tina ran into the room and jumped in the air landing on the perfectly pressed sheet, she was laughing so much that Bette’s head shaking went unnoticed. Not until she finally stopped bouncing on the bed to lay on her back and look up at Bette looking down at her.
“Was it worth it?” Bette asked cocking her head to one side looking down at Tina’s still smiling face.
“Would’ve have been better mid fluff of the flat sheet but this will suffice.” Bette shook her head as she bent down to kiss Tina. She felt hands slide past her ears to hold her hair back. Each kiss brought an easier smile to their faces.
“Hi, Sweetie. Did they tell you where they were taking the munchkin?”
“I’m not entirely sure.” Tina shook her head as she thought out loud, “God that sounds bad, like I’m a terrible parent.” She laughed a little before she continued. “Tasha said to the aquarium so Angie could pet the star fish again, and Shane said to the kiddie Go-Kart races, knowing them they’ll probably do both. Then bring me back a grumpy, sleepy, and currently going through sugar withdrawals child.” Bette nodded her head as she grabbed the flat sheet. Tina immediately hopped up off of the bed and began to remove the fitted sheet to fix the mattress pad before Bette could even do it herself. Like one mind they began to remake the bed as Bette would. Making sure that the ruffle of the crisp sheet was heard before allowing it to settle for them to straighten. It was a habit that Bette had longer than she could remember. Sheets were to be ironed before they were folded and put away and then ironed again before they were put onto the bed.
Bette’s guest room had beautiful colors that always blended well with the mood of the room. It seemed as though Bette changed the colors according to the season or weather. It was absurd to think so but it felt that way. The room always held a warm and comfortable vibe to it. Tina was tucking the flat sheet neatly in the corner when she finally noticed what made one corner of the room feel odd or heavy. That corner of the room held a small studio piano. The finish was an aged cheery walnut and the keys were truly ivory. But it wasn’t the beauty of the aged piece that struck Tina it was the placement. She looked around and noticed that everything in the room was touched with light, of course there was an offered option of shade with the curtains but as usual they were tied back. So everything that surrounded them was highlighted with an overwhelming amount of natural light, everything except for the piano. It was almost hidden.
