Bette had been sitting by the pool for hours. She had come directly home after hearing the something that they had to tell her. She had followed Dan Foxworthys advice for Tina with her friends. She hadnt gotten needy or possessive, didnt yell or throw a fit. She had merely said OK. Thanks for letting me know. Alice, when Tina gets home from her date, will you ask her to call me on my cell? I need to talk with her. Thanks! She had then made her good-byes and left. They had tried to stop her but she had told them she was ok and left.

Yeah, that was a good one. She was definitely not OK. She hadnt been ok in so long that she wasnt sure what that felt like. Her cell phone was on vibrate because she couldnt stand to hear it ring anymore. It had been going non-stop and the caller id had shown it was Alice or Shane or Kit calling each time. She wouldnt turn the phone off, just in case Tina called. Kit had even shown up with Ivan and had searched the house for her, but she had heard them pull up and had hidden over in Tims yard behind Jennys until they left. She didnt want to see or talk to anybody but Tina.

She had finished better than half a bottle of the wine she had been slowly drinking while trying calm down her emotions and get her thoughts together. The wine wasnt working. Had she finally done it? Had she truly lost the only good thing in her life? The only person that she couldnt live without. By taking Foxworthys advice and giving Tina the time and space she needed, had she become the unneeded one? Worse yet, had Tina moved on with her life without Bette?

Sitting here wasnt going to help anything. She decided to go over to Alices and wait for Tina to come home. She would calmly ask Tina to talk with her. She wanted to walk over to Alices. She had to get some air and clear her head. When she arrived and there was no response to her knock, Bette took the spare key and let herself in. She went to lay down on the couch and wait for Tina.

~~

Everyone had congregated at Danas house. Where was Bette? They had been calling her cell for hours and Kit and Ivan had even gone to her house looking for her. Her car was there, but she was nowhere to be found. They had searched all the local hangouts and asked just about anybody that knew Bette if they had seen her. They had come up empty.

You dont think she is with Candace, do you? Dana throws out.

No, she dumped her like last weeks garbage, Shane said.

My little sister wouldnt make that mistake again! I cant even believe she made it the first time. I know she wants to save her marriage. She loves Tina so much. But Im afraid for her; she took the news of Tinas date too well. We have got to find her. Ivan and I were at the house again and she still isnt there. Kit shoulders started shake and a tear rolled down her face. Ivan put her arms around Kit, held her and tried to comfort her.

Alice said, I hate to say this, but if Bette thinks that Tina has really dumped her and moved on, she just might be with Candace. Her car is at her house and she isnt. She must have gone off with someone. And Kit is right; Bette did take the news too well. She may be in destruction mode.

Do you think we should tell Tina that Bette is missing? asked Dana.

No! Alice emphatically stated. I stopped at the house earlier and left Tina a note telling her I probably wouldnt be home tonight. This is the first time she has ventured out on her own since the dinner. Lets let her have some time off. If we dont find Bette by morning, we can tell Tina.

Alright, said Shane. Where do we go now? Im out of ideas.

We retrace our tracks and check again. Lets go! Alice said.

They all headed out again.

~~

It was after one oclock in the morning when Tina finally came home. She opened the front door and turned to Cindy. Thanks for tonight. I had a good time. I got to do something I havent done in a while. Relax.

I had a good time too. How about we do it again? Cindy asked.

Yeah, Id like that, Tina replied. Well talk about it at the gym.

Can I have a goodnight kiss? asked Cindy.

Tina laughed. Didnt that kiss you got in the shower suffice? They had talked over that awkward moment and Tina was now able to joke about it.

Cindy joked back, Awww, that was so long ago. Cant I have another one to hold me over until we go out again?

Oh alright. Tina leaned toward Cindy and gave her a quick kiss. But that will have to hold you over! Goodnight.

Cindy left and Tina turned on the lights as she closed the door. When she turned, she saw Bette standing next to the couch staring at her.

Hi Tina.

What are you doing here?

Waiting for you. I thought we might talk.

Oh, now you want to talk? You couldnt think of anything to say a couple of weeks ago. But now that I start dating you are ready to talk! How did you find out I was on a date? Did Alice call you?

Bette didn’t even try to pretend that she didn’t know about the date. Honesty was the key to their way back together. That was what Dan had repeatedly expressed to her. “Do not hold back. Give of yourself and state the whole truth. Do not go into this half-hearted, hiding or holding anything back. That will not accomplish your goal. The results will be worth the blood you shed.” That was more of his advice.

No, Bette said. I called you and didnt get an answer so I stopped into the Planet and when I asked if anyone knew where you were. Kit told me about the date.

So now you are ready to talk. Bette, are you ready to open yourself up and share your emotions? I dont want to talk to you just to hear explanations.

Tina, I have given a lot of thought to your questions. I decided I needed help expressing my emotions and myself. I have been to see Dan Foxworthy many times since I last saw you. I didnt try to contact you because he said that I was not ready to do that until I totally understood what I had done and how you were feeling. I had to understand what had happened to make me do what I did. Well I think I finally do. Today, well actually yesterday now, Dan told me I was ready to talk to you.

Tina, I know I have given you a bitter pill to swallow, but I didnt do it alone. We were having problems before Candace came into the picture.

Tina blanched at hearing that name.

Tina, we need to sit down and talk about everything, not just the resulting factor. I dont want our marriage to end. Please say that you want to try to work it out also. That you want to talk about us.

Tears were running down Tinas face. Bettes heart was breaking. She was laying everything on the line here. She was giving her all for the woman she loved more than life itself. She had sliced her veins open and was willingly bleeding out. Maybe she had changed. She wasnt begging Tina to give her another chance. She was being rational, not needy or possessive. She prayed Dan Foxworthy advice was worth the price he charged. But to get Tina back, she would gladly pay any price he asked.

Bette, I almost believe you mean it. That you really do want to talk about everything, but you havent even tried to contact me since that night. I thought we were in the past. I hear what you are saying about Dan Foxworthy not wanting you to contact me. But I didnt know that these last two weeks. I need to get my mind around this before talking with you.

Tina said, How about you go home, and I will call you when I am ready.

OK Tina, I will go home and wait for your call. I hope it comes soon.

Bette headed for the door.

As she passed, Tina reached out and grabbed Bettes arm. Thanks Bette, for seeing Dan. I know you didnt like him or think he could help us. That was a really big step for you to take.

Bette reached out and gently wiped a tear from Tinas face. She put her finger to her mouth and tenderly licked the tear from it. You are a part of me Tina. I love you completely. I would do anything for you. Goodnight Tee.

Bette turned and walked out the door, quietly pulling it closed behind her.