TINA

What do you mean Tina when you say you want to go after Bette, but you dont know if you can?

Tina and Elaine were still standing by Tinas front door, with Tinas hand resting on the door *****.

I mean that, because I am still holding on to so much pain, I dont know if I can sit across from her and listen to what she has to say. Im afraid I will fall apart in front of her. Im afraid shes going to break my heart all over again. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision six months ago to not talk to Bette about what happen and why. When it first happened, I was so full of anger I couldnt think straight. I couldn’t see her face to face, I was so devistated, but humiliated at the same time. I was asking all the questions about why, but just not to Bette. My poor friends had to sit there for hours listening to me. At some point I have to apologize and also thank them for that. But now, here I sit with those same questions that havent been answered. I get it, that not knowing those answers is whats been keeping me from moving on. I mean, I know that there is nothing that Bette can say that will give me closure. I have to find that on my own. I’m not quite sure what it is I need from her, but…God, I just feel so stuck.

Well, maybe the reason you need to hear the answers so badly and feel so stuck, is because you are still in love with her.

Tina let out a sigh of resignation. Yea, that too.

Elaine looked at Tina with sympathy in her eyes. Tina, you have to go and talk with Bette. If you dont, what happen with us last night will just keep on happening over and over. No matter the outcome, you need to find your answers, so you can move on, together or separately.

Tina started taking deep breaths. Oh God! I just dont know! Tina looked at Elaine and very softly said, She looked so beautiful, didnt she?

Yes Tina. She is very beautiful, gorgeous in fact. But she also looked like she was in a lot of pain as well. However, the love that was in her eyes when she looked at you was absolutely unmistakable. So was the pain and fear when she looked at me. Go find her Tina. Face your past, discover your future. Whatever it is going to be, its not here with me in this apartment.

Tina grabbed Elaine and hugged her tight. Your right Elaine. Thank you so much!

Tina let go of Elaine and ran to the phone. First she called her office and told them she was taking a week off due to family stuff. Then she called the one person she knew she could count on to help her. Alice?

Tina! Hey girl, what a great surprise! How are you? Alice held her breath, not knowing what Tina was going to say about Bettes visit and what she could or couldnt share with her.

Alice, Im coming back to LA for a week. Do you mind if I crash on your couch?

Of course not! You know you can stay here anytime. In fact, if you want to have some privacy, I can stay over at Danas.

NO! I mean, no Alice, I like your couch. Besides, I need to talk with you about Bette.

Uh…OK Tina.

Tina could hear the tension in Alices voice. Al, did you know that she was coming up here?

Alice hesitated, but knew she had to be honest with her friend. Yea, I knew, but she made me promise not to say anything. Im sorry T.

Dont be. She just took me by surprise. Im glad she showed up. Its the opening I needed to hopefully resolve some things. I wish she had called first, but I am glad she came.

If she had called first, would you have agreed to see her?

Tina thought about that. Ya know, Im not sure Al.

Thats why she didnt call first Tina. She didnt want to take the chance that you would say no. Hey T? How did she look?

Oh God Al, she looked so beautiful. If its possible, she looked even more beautiful than she did the day we met.

Hmmm Alice thought, feeling a major dj vu. Didnt she just hear the exact same thing from Bette, when she was talking about seeing Tina? Alice subconsciously crossed her fingers thinking that maybe there was still a chance her two friends could find each other again.

Im glad your coming Tina. She still loves you, ya know?”

No, I dont know Alice. Last I heard, she loved Candace. But, there are a lot of things I dont know, which is why Im taking this week and coming home.

It will be good to see you T. I miss you girlfriend!

Right back at you! Tina smiled. Ill see you tomorrow. Tell Dana and Shane that I cant wait to see them.

Right on T! Later!

Elaine watched Tina hang up the phone. Well Miss Tina, sounds to me like you have some packing to do. I on the other hand am going to head home. Im sure I have some plants to water…or something.

Tina started laughing. Elaine, I truly cant thank you enough for everything, especially for holding me all night. Most people wouldnt have been as gracious.

Yea, well dont tell anyone that nothing happened. I do have a reputation to protect.

Tina laughed again. Dont worry. Do you really think I want people knowing that I had Elaine Brown in my bed and that I didnt take advantage of it? I have a reputation as well you know!!

Elaine busted out laughing. Uh Tina? I hate to tell you this, but NO you dont!

Tina laughed and looked at Elaine sheepishly. Yea, I guess your right. But, hey…I could have one if I wanted to.

Absolutely Tina! You go girl!

Elaine and Tina said their goodbyes, and Tina went into her bedroom to pack. It was then that Tina realized that she had totally forgotten to ask Alice if she knew who Mary was.

BETTE

Bette was just arriving at the CAC after what felt like the longest flight in history. She was so scared that she had waited too long to go after Tina. That fear put her actions into overdrive.

The CAC was closed, so it was nice and quiet. Bette called David Myers to let him know that she was there. David was one of Bettes favorite local artists, and she had sold a lot of his paintings at her gallery, before coming to the CAC. He showed up about an hour later, arms full of supplies.

OK Bette. Whats this big favor you need from me?

Well David…

Bette led David into one of the back rooms, where she had set up an easel for him. After he got himself organized, they settled in, and Bette spent the next couple of hours sitting with David talking quietly, but with an intensity that had David completely mesmerized.