Tina was speechless.
She could not match the Bette that was talking with Marina with the Bette she knew.

She was thinner, much thinner. She looked as beautiful as ever but there was something different in her body. She was talking with Marina and Tina was looking at her. It was a good thing that they were not in their usual table. From where she was Tinad see Bette without being seen. It took Tina a few minutes to realize what was so shocking in Bettes look. It wasnt her outfit as she was wearing her usual black suit, or her hair as she had it as always, bit longer now and in a lousy ponytail, it wasnt any of that.It was her body, her whole self. Tina could feel, even from the distance how relax Bette was, how much her body was not in charge, as always.

She was just there, not in motion as she usually was even when she was still. Tina was so lost, looking at her, thinking about Bette that she didnt see Bette turning around, facing her. But the moment she saw Bette by her side, looking pale and shivering she broke apart. Tears started falling down, unable to stop them Tina stood up and looking at Bette, who speechless was looking at her, took her purse and left.


She drove for hours. Needed to calm down, to think. She walked along the coast, watching the sunset. By the time she finally arrived at home she was much more relax but feeling very tired. She walked in and as she turned the lights on she saw Alice sleeping on the couch. She awoke the moment the bright light hit her.

hey T, u ok?
Sure Al
Am sorry, I let myself in, wanted to see how you were doing
Its ok

Tina sat on the couch. She was tired and still confuse at her feelings and at her reaction after seeing Bette.

You want some tea?

Al was already walking towards the kitchen. She was on a mission. After talking with Shane and Dana, after telling them what happened she knew she needed to do an intervention she just wished her friends were there.

ok Tina was following Alice to the kitchen, unable to think straight.

They talked for hours. Alice didnt know how to start so she just started talking about Dana, about her feelings for her, about their friendship. She imagined that could make Tina feel better, keep her mind from Bette and maybe could help Alice find the road to make Tina believe and act on what she was or wasnt feeling.

So she told Tina everything about the moment she realized that she wanted Dana, that she loved Dana.

Alice was sipping from her cup of tea. They were on the floor, their backs on the wall, one besides the other, looking ahead, through the window glass, to the ocean. It was a clear night and the ocean was full of stars.

You know the time we helped Dana with Lara, how happy she was
Yeah, it was great
Yes it was. You know, later I started dating Lisa (looked at Tina) I know, I know hey others have it worse, others dont date at all, right?
yeah, or they date Gabby (Tina was smiling now)
ok okpoint takenI dont have the best dating history
yeah, you dated Bette afterall. Tina was not sure why but was finding that very funny.

hey, come on, Bette is probably, well, apart from Dane, my only good dating story so, leave it ok! Alice was trying to light the subject, didnt want to talk about Bette yet.

OK. .Dana and I
Yeah, you and Dane

“Well, after she came out to her parents, I was there you know (Tina nodded giving Alice an I know look)well we drove back and she was crying. She was in such pain, so ashamed of who she was, of who her parents were that I wasnt sure of what to do. I wanted her to feel happy again. I wanted her to smile, to enjoy all the good things that were happening to her. I… I didnt know then that what I was feeling was love for her. I knew, always have, that I loved her, as I love you T, as I love Shane and Bette.

I I just felt like I had to help her, I needed for her to be happy. And then Palm Springs its was great for her but the moment I heard she was having ***** with somebody I felt something in my stomach, and then u said itd be Tonya so I thought that my anxiety was just because of all the bad vibes I felt from her (Tina looked at Alice, smiling again), Hey, okcall me a hippy, Im one after all my mom was a California girldaisies, braless woman and long hair- bearded men was something I saw everyday in my childhood anywayI know I didnt like Tonya, but it was obvious that she was bad.she killed Mr P, for god shake!…okthe moment I saw Danas face, while she was holding that poor cold dead cat on her arms I knew it. I wanted to hold her so much, to kiss her so much, to tell her that everything was going to be ok that It scared the ***** out of me.So I put on my cool Al face (Tina laughs quietly), heyI can be very cool T

yes you can Al, sorry go on

okso I just pretended everything was just fine, that nothing had change.. She was with Tonya and I was not going to get in between she seemed happy didnt see?, and besides, It all scared the ***** out of me so then she told us about the engagementand my fears started killing me there were voices all over my head, telling me how wrong all that was, how bad itd be for Dana to marry that bitchit was scary TI swear Id hear those insistent voices all the time

Tina tried not to laugh and Alice saw it.

Ok, am from the 60s ok, drugs and rock&roll so itd be voices in my head, god, who knows what my mom took during those wild times you know Lenord anyway back to the point.

There I was, scared to death about what could happen to Dana if she married that cat-killer.
I saw her the next day, at the Planet. She was still sad about the whole funeral so I convinced her to come with me for a ride. We went to that place she loves in Malibu, that place from the 50s were you can have the best ice creams ever. As I drove I made a fool of myself, teased her and sang like a drunken lunatic to make her smile. Well, she did, she even laughed a few times.
Thats when, just there, having her in front of me, licking that strawberry-lemon and chocolate ice cream (Alice noticed Tinas look, she was smirking at the idea of that ice creamdisgusting)…yeah I knowbut believe me, she loved it! Ugh ok there she was relax and happy, at least for a few minutes. Looking at her I knew that, even risking our friendship I had to do something, I needed to try. Needed to let her know my feelings. I wanted so bad to take her hand that morning, to kiss her. She looked so damn hot in those jeans and tank top.

Tina nodded, smiling.

The funny thing is she doesnt really know how hot she is and that makes her even more hot and *****

Tina sighed, happy to know the story, happy for her friends as she truly believes they are right for each other.She took Alices hand and smiled at her friend.

Thanks Al, thats a great story
Yes it is Alice was smiling broadly , feeling silly and very much in love.

They looked at each other in silence for a couple of minutes then Alice stood up and put her hand in front of Tina.

Come on, lets go for a walk

Now?. Tina looked outside, so dark.
Yeah, why not?
Mm..ok

Alice drove Tina to the beach, she knew she loved it. The moment they jumped out of the car Tina started talking.