Alice sat on her couch nervously not knowing what to do. She wanted to call Bette and find out what the ***** happened, but she didnt want to leave Tina alone either. It had been twenty minutes since Tina had come home and from the moment Alice saw her she knew something terrible had happened. Tina had walked into Alices apartment without saying a word. She walked straight back to Alices bedroom and shut the door softly. Alice stood at the door listening for sounds of Tina crying, but she didnt hear anything.

Tina sat on Alices bed feeling tears of anger and frustration flowing down her cheeks. She was crying again, but this time it wasnt out of control. She wasnt shaking or sobbing or even breathing hard. She was just staring off into space as the tears continued to roll down her cheeks. Ive lost her, thought Tina as she recalled what she had seen earlier that day.

***
EARLIER THAT DAY

After Tina had gotten out of the shower she felt refreshed and levelheaded. She knew she wanted to talk to Bette again to see if they had even the slightest chance at working things out, so she decided that she would stop by the CAC to see her. Upon arriving she ran into James who seemed surprised to see her. He told her that Bette was on a conference call and didnt want to be disturbed, but Tina told him that she thought it would probably be okay if she went in. James didnt know what to say so he didnt try and stop Tina from going into Bettes office.

Tina opened the door to Bettes office and a sudden panic went through her. Bettes not here, where the ***** could she be? All sorts of scenarios ran through her head but she fought the urge to break down right there. She walked over to Bettes desk and saw that there were papers strewn all over her desk. One piece of paper caught her eye as she saw that it was the envelope that Candaces invoice had been in. It clicked in Tinas mind exactly where Bette was and she wrote the address down and ran out of the office.

Ten minutes later Tina had pulled in to the parking lot where Candaces office was and her heart nearly stopped beating when she saw Bettes car. What the ***** is she doing here? wondered Tina. She didnt know if either Bette or Candace had seen her pull in, and her first thought was to turn around and head home, but something stopped her. She peered through her windshield at Candaces office but she didnt see anyone inside. Tina got out of her car and walked up to the huge window that was facing the street and looked again. Nothing.

Sighing she turned around and headed back to her car. Bettes not stupid enough to be seen with Candace anywhere in this city, thought Tina angrily. Just as she was about to unlock her car a man walked out of the coffee shop next door. Thats when she heard it. Laughter. Bettes laughter. Tina would have recognized it anywhere. Feelings of anger and rage were quickly building within her but Tina decided a public forum was not the best place to confront Bette and Candace together. She quickly got in her car and drove back to the CAC with all sorts of thoughts running through her head. How long has Bette been seeing her? Did James try and cover for her? He wouldnt do that. Bette must be lying to everyone. Tina floored it and within a few minutes she was back at the CAC.

Walking into the building felt surreal, as Tina didnt know what to do next. She didnt even know why she had come back there. James was at his desk and Tina decided to find out what he knew.

Hi James. Do you know where Bette is?

Hey Tina, no I dont. She said she would be on a call all morning and to let no one disturb her.

She said that?

Yeah. She wasnt back there?

No.

James looked confused and Tina knew that he didnt know anything about what was going on between Bette and Candace. She was getting more and more angry as the seconds were passing and she didnt know what to do. She went back to Bettes office and looked around. She decided to let Bette know that she had seen her with Candace, but talking to her right now just wasnt an option. She picked up the envelope and wrote a note on it telling Bette that it was over.

Bette, I know. I thought you were serious when you said you loved me and you wanted to work things out. Guess I was wrong. Goodbye. The tears that were forming in her eyes were threating to spill over as she left this note for Bette. She finished writing and had to sit down for a second to regain her composure before leaving. With sadness in her eyes she took one last look around the office and headed for the exit. James looked up when she was passing by and he tried to see if everything was okay.

Tina, is anything wrong?

Just tell her you never saw me okay?

James looked at her with a puzzled expression as Tina gave him a small smile and slowly walked back to her car. She blindly drove back to Alices apartment and when she got there she felt herself slowly falling apart inside.

***
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Tina, honey, is everything alright?

Alice had been standing in front of her bedroom door for what felt like forever and she was getting really worried about Tina.

Tina, can I come in?

When Alice didnt get an answer she slowly opened the door. She rushed to Tinas side and pulled her into her arms as Tina let herself break down completely.

Its over Alice. Shes gone. Ive lost her. I saw her with Candace and

Tina couldnt get the words out. Alice didnt know what to say to take away Tinas pain, but she had the feeling the usual, everything will be okay, just wouldnt do it this time.

No you havent Tina. She is meant for you and you are meant for her.

Tina just continued to cry softly and Alice could tell that this time Bette may have gone too far. As upset as Tina had been the first night when Alice found her in her apartment, Alice knew that there was still some hope for their relationship. Alice knew that Tina would just need time to forgive Bette and that Bette would do everything in her power to make this happen. But this was different. Alice felt a certain sadness for Tina as she understood what it meant to have your heart ripped to shreds so she didnt say anything else, instead she just sat there holding Tina, letting her fall to pieces.

Two hours later, after Alice was certain that Tina was asleep she grabbed her cell phone and went outside. She furiously dialed Bettes number and prayed to God she still wasnt with Candace.

Come on Bette, pick up the damn phone.

Hello?

Bette, its Al. Look I know you said you didnt want to talk about this now but thats just too bad. What is going on with you Bette? What did you do to Tina?

What are you talking about Alice? I havent seen her since she came to pick up her things from the house.

It suddenly dawned on Alice that Bette might not have seen Tina when Tina went to go look for her today. For that matter, she wondered if Tina had actually seen Bette with Candace or if it was just something she assumed.

Bette, what did you do today?

Ive been at work all morning, why?

You didnt leave the office?

Well I had a few errands to run but thats about it. Otherwise no. For Gods sake what is going on Alice?

Tina said she saw you with Candace today and shes not taking it well. You really fucked up this time Porter.

Bette felt the color draining out of her face as she thought about how Tina could have found her. The envelope. Bette started to panic as she thought about how it must have looked to Tina and she wondered if Tina had heard what they were talking about.

Is she still there Alice?

Yeah, but I dont think now is a good time Bette, honestly.

Okay, Im coming over. Keep her there Alice.

Bette I dont think.Hello?

Bette had hung up before Alice had a chance to finish her sentence. She was already in her car heading over to Alices apartment, her mind racing. James tried to stop me from going in my office today, I wonder why Tina was there. I wonder what she said to James. I hope she can understand about me having to see Candace today. I cannot lose her. Bettes mind was a million miles away and she almost got into an accident on the way over running about 4 red lights. Whatever she saw can be explained, thought Bette. She just hoped that Tina would be able to see that she did what she did for them. When Bette finally got to Alices apartment she sat in her car for a few minutes trying to calm her nerves. Okay Bette, calm down. Remember what Kit said. This isnt about fixing everything, its about showing her how much I care. Bette slowly got out of her car and as she headed up the stairs to Alices door she said a silent prayer that Tina would be able to forgive her and that she could see how much Bette truly did care.