Its been four daysfour long days. I could not talk to Bette yesterday and the whole day today. Its agony! I dont even feel like going out. See anyone. I went for lunch with the gang. But, theres only one Bette. I love them allto death but no one is Bette. I drag myself home and pull in into the driveway. I want to go in and crawl into bed. that is my second choice of course. What I really want is to walk in and find Bettes warm embrace, and fall sleep in her arms.

I quietly walk to the door. Theres no hurry. No ones really waiting. My eyes fall over a beautiful bouquet of red roses. If those werent realsusceptible to crush.I would them hugged themlong and hard. I see a letter in it. Suddenly, I rush. I hurry! I smell the roses as I keep them on the table..trying to smell Bette. I rip open the letter. I smile to myself at the thought that Bette wrote to me.She found the time to write to me.by hand. In a week.she missed me enough to write me..a POEM!

I sit on the table, caressing a rose petal..pretending its Bettes hand..I read the letter thrice.and then twice again. I cried. I didnt know what to do now. I think I miss her more now. I think I need her more now. Knowing she misses me as much, makes me love her, want her more. And the phone rings. I sprint.

Bette reads to me the poem. Slowly, clearly and lovingly. She chokes and I cry. When shes finished I cant speak for good five minutes. She gently asks me, as if patting me, T, are you okay? I dont know how to tell her what I feel. I dont know what I feel. I dont know if I am feeling anything. Her voice, her wordsher love. I tell her, Bette, you are my lifecome home baby, I miss you. Shes quiet. I know theres two more days. I know. I tell her Ill wait for her. She knows I have approved her stay but I long for her as much as she does. She knows. I talk to her till I can barely talk. She again holds me with her whispers.she again rocks me to sleep with her voice. I know I will dream about her. She promises me she will dream about us. Just two more days.then Ill never let her leave. I miss Bette.