Tina was trying hard. Her left leg was aching. Mg she was feeling so clumsy, her whole body felt like a chair. It was so annoying. She was trying hard but doing the warrior position was something she was not getting at. She was feeling her body aching, all her muscles screaming at her, and even worse, her fellow yogi looking at her.
It was her third yoga class. It was Friday and they were doing the whole great salutation the whole 22 postures and semi postures. Mg I am not so ready for them yet Tina was sweating, she was breathless and tired but she was loving it.
Yoga was making her feel her body again. She was so lost in the postures that she didnt noticed the woman bending at her side. She finally made it to the end, and as she was lying in Savasana, relaxing and refreshing her body and hopefully mind, she noticed something on her side. She didnt open her eyes but later, as she was leaving the class a tall brunette approached her.
Hey, you forgot your comb
Oh, yeah, thanks
“Its ok, you seemed really gone during Savasana, looked like you needed it thou
Tinad tell that she was teasing her.
“Yeah (laughing), gosh, its been a while since I practice
Yeah, I know what you mean, once I stopped for almost four months and when I came back I felt like a wooden table for weeks
Tina laughed again, knowing very well what her fellow yogi meant.
They were getting to the showers. Tina was in a hurry, was late for a meeting. She smiled at the women on her side, trying to walk away.
Yeah, well, see you around I guess and (showing the comb) thanks.
Sure, no problem am Jack, by the way
With that Tina had to stop her pace.
Jack?
The looked on her face made Jack smile broadly.
Yeah, I know.
Uh, no Its great, I mean.. Jack is a great name
Jack was laughing now, and moving closer she leaned into Tinas space, whispering.
My name is Laurel, but nobody calls me that.
Tina felt blushing. It was the first time, apart from Bette, that anybody whispered to her with such emotion. And because she didnt expect it she blushed even more.
Oh, ok (she looked at Jack for a few seconds, realizing how beautiful she was, shed be Annabeth Gish twin sister, she thought) Laurel is a beautiful name, but.. you look like a Jack thou
Tina wasnt realizing how much she was flirting now, it was unintentional, it was easy and it was making her feel very well
Oh , really?
Jack was flirting back and that put a knot on her stomach that made her realize that she had to go.
Oh my (looking at the wall clock), have to runit was nice meeting you Laurel
With that, not looking back, she run into the showers area.

On her way back at the Center, as she was listening to the radio, she remembered Bettes emails. She didnt read the rest of them. The three she read left her tired, confuse and with something in her stomach. After thinking about it for a few days she realized that she needed to see Bette. She was feeling confuse, but something inside was crying for her to see Bette in person, to see how shed feel in her presence. Its been more than a month since the last time she saw or talked with her and her body was dying for her.
As she was driven she decided, knowing how weak her decisions and emotions were at that point, that now was the time to go and see her. She could not hope for her to feel the same urge in a few hours, doubts and fears could get into her.
She called Oscar and told him it was impossible for her to attend the meeting. It wasnt such a big deal so she didnt feel too guilty afterwards. She took the highway and drove towards the Planet.. She knew, because Alice told her, that lately, almost every Friday, Bette left the CAC earlier, just to have some free time with her friends at the Planet. That change in Bettes working habits surprised Tina when she heard Alice talking about them but then Alice told her that Bette was not the same. She told her that she was changing in so many ways that it was scary. Hearing that scared Tina so she stopped Alice before shed add anything else about Bette.
Tina didnwant to know about that changes from others, she wanted to see it by herself. She was not a believer anymore. What happened between them opened Tinas eyes in more ways that she wanted to acknowledge.

She parked her car close the entrance door. She could see from there that it wasnt as crowed as shed imagine being a Friday afternoon but it was early, she reminded herself.
Sighing deeply, Tina took her purse and got out off the car. She walked slowly, breathing heavily, trying to calm herself down. The moment she opened the door she felt fear running through her body. Her hands were sweating and her stomach was in a knot but not sure how, or from where it came the strength she needed, she walked in.

Marina saw her and since she wasnt seeing Tina that much lately rushed to meet her with a broad and honest smile on her face.
“Hey Tina, is so great to see you
Before shed say anything Tina felt her friends arms around her, hugging her tightly.
Its good to see you too Marina, how are you doing?
Its, ok you knowas always so what do you want, are you going to stay or you want something to go?
Tina looked around, trying to find Bette in the crowd. Marina saw her and nodding added.
She is not here T
Oh
Disappointment showed on Tinas face at the same time as a long sigh escaped her tense body. She looked back at Marina with a sweet-sad smile.
I will have a large decaf will be over there ok?
Sure, ill be there in a minute
Tina walked to the end of the place, she avoided their usual table, didnt want to play with fate.
She took a chair close to the window, her back to the street. Marina brought her coffee in just a few seconds and smiling left her alone as Tina already had a note book and some papers on the table.
Almost an hour later Alice walked in. She scanned the place as always and the moment she saw Tina her jaw hit the floor. She run towards her friend speechless.
hey , hey hey, beauty
Tina looked up from her notes and smiled at the well known teaser voice.
Hi Al
Hi Al?.. Hi Al?…are you nuts? (Alice took the chair just across Tina, sat down and sighed deeply) I mean, wow..you Gosh, am so happy to see you here but… what the ***** are you doing here?
Tina was already smiling when Alice finished her babbling. She missed her friends very much and being with them as always felt so well
I dont know, something brought me here
Alice placed her hand on Tinas arm.
Cool, am glad you are(as she was back in her usual self she started scanning the place)..so what you having?, you want another one?
Tina noticed Alice glance.
She is not here
Uh, ..yeah well(trying to brake the mood) you have chicks staring at you already ?
Tina looked around with an horror look on her face
What?, what are you talking about?
Alice smiled at Tina, it was sweet to see how lost she was, she had no idea how much women all over west Hollywood were looking for her, she was fresh meat afterall.
what, dont play innocent to me Tina, you know how much you are wanted right now
Alice was teasing her but at the same time she wanted Tina to know that she was wanted.
Al, what are you talking about am not ready ok
Tina sounded serious and looked even more serious.
Sorry t, was teasing you. I know you are not. It just that you know how this is. You just havent go out that much since well you know and you know how things are around here people know and you know they ask they ask about you T
they do?
“Sure they do. Its been seven years T. People know you, but you have always been Bettes T. Now everybody know you are by yourselfand they want you baby!
Alice was trying to light the mood seeing Tina so serious and looking so scare.
Al, am I by myself?
Alice looked at Tina in disbelief, for the first time she didnt know what to say. She could see Tinas eyes watering. Oh, no. Its going to happenshe is realizing everything nowdamn it! Facing reality is what it has.

Tina saw how Alice looked at her, not knowing what to say.
Al, I dont know if am there yet. I just dont know. I need to find out

And just then they heard Bettes sweet voice at the counter.