Tina walked into her house completely exhausted. It was Tuesday night and she had to pack for tomorrow. She was supposed to leave for Seattle on Friday, but the crew wanted to have a pre-production meeting so her flight got moved up to Wednesday. Tina set her stuff down and walked to the fridge to get some wine and find something for dinner. She had been working extra long hours trying to get everything ready for when she left, and she was beside herself with tiredness and agitation. Aside from working her ***** off, Tina had been calling Bette for the past week to try and talk to her about their fight but she couldnt seem to catch her no matter what time of day she called. She left messages for Bette at work, at home, and on her cell. She even tried calling Alice to see if she knew where Bette was, but when Alice was no help either, Tina finally had enough. Im so sick of her stupid mind games, thought Tina as she heated up some food and opened the bottle of wine. Why cant she understand that I need to do thisits important to me. Truthfully, Tina wasnt really mad at Bette. Deep down she was disappointed that Bette reacted so selfishly to her news and Tina was sad that she couldnt even spend this last week with Bette and now she wasnt going to see her for six months. Oh wellwhat else can I do? Im sick of being the one to compromise all the time. Tina grabbed her dinner and went upstairs to pack and tried as hard as she could to get her mind off Bette.

That night Tina had a very scary dream. In her dream she returned home after the film was completed to find everything in her life the way she left it except for one thing. Bette didnt exist in this dream. She went to Bettes house to visit her but was surprised to see that someone else lived there, and when she went back to her own house it was as if Bette had never been there. Her clothes were gone, their pictures had disappeared, and even the burn mark on the wall in the kitchen from when Bette tried to make toast was gone. It was as if she never knew Bette Porter, like she was searching for a ghost. Tina woke up a little startled by this dream and she glanced at the clock seeing that it was only three in the morning. Her flight wasnt until ten, which meant she didnt have to be at LAX until eight, but Tina wasnt tired anymore. She reached for her phone and called Bettes house hoping that she wouldnt be upset with Tina calling so late.

RING

Come on Bettepick up the damn phone.

RING

RING

Hi this is Bette, Im not home right now so please leave me a message after the tone.

BEEP

Tina hung up the phone angrily. Where the ***** is she right now? ***** its three in the morning, what could she possibly be doing at this hour? Tired of waiting around for Bette, Tina jumped up and threw on some clothes before grabbing her keys and running downstairs. Tina got into her car and drove over to Bettes house with all kinds of worst case scenarios playing in her head. She might be mad but she could at least pick up her phonemaybe shes hurtmaybe she went out of town and didnt say anythingmaybe shesno she couldntshe wouldnt have brought someone else home would she? She damn well better not haveshit! Tina drove a little faster and ten minutes later she was sitting in front of Bettes house. Tina looked around but didnt see anyone elses car in the driveway which gave her a little sense of relief, but she didnt see Bettes either which made her worry. Tina got out of her car and slowly walked to the front door. She braced herself for whichever side of Bette would answer the door and knocked loudly hoping that Bette was home. After a few minutes she didnt get a response so she used her key to open the door.

Tina looked around the living room but she didnt see any sign of Bette. She did see a complete mess and she wondered if Bette had even been home in the past couple of days. Cleanliness was one of Bettes pet peeves, so for this place to be trashed was a complete shock to Tina. She glanced around again and didnt see anything else relevant to Bettes whereabouts so Tina quietly walked back to the bedroom hoping that Bette was alone. Tina pushed the door open and was shocked at what she saw. Bette was lying face down on her bed, fully clothed, and reeked of alcohol. Tina went over to her and shook Bette a little trying to wake her up.

Bette? Bette wake up.

Mmphmrmm.

Tina rolled Bette over so that she could understand whatever it was Bette was saying. Tina made a face when the smell of alcohol increased as Bette lay on her back and she wondered who the ***** Bette was drinking with on a Tuesday night. Tina shook Bette again.

Bettewake up.

Mhphmwhat?

Bettecome on get up.

Tina?

Bette opened her eyes slowly and found Tina looking down at her. What the hellwhere did she come from? Bette was trying to get herself together and figure out why Tina was there as she slowly sat up and felt the alcohol taking its toll on her body. Okayso this is why I dont drink, thought Bette as her head started to ache. She looked at a very pissed off Tina and rubbed her eyes a little trying to fully wake up.

Bette where the ***** have you been?

What? Tina talk a little softer pleasemy head is killing me.

Damn right its killing you, you smell like shitwhere did you go tonight?

Out with Kit.

Your sister?

Yeahshe was performing at a club in downtownohhh my head.

Bette why didnt you call me back? Ive left you a bunch of messages.

I thought you were leaving to go wherever it was you were supposed to go.

I leave tomorrow Bettewell now today actuallybut Bette Ive been calling you all weekwhy didnt you just call me back?

And say what Tina? Have fun and Ill see you in six months?

Tina stood up and crossed her arms over her chest. She couldnt believe Bette was being so childish about this and Tina was about ready to go off on Bette but she swallowed her anger and tried to keep her temper down as she spoke coldly to Bette.

No Bette, but anything would have been better than just not talking to me all week.

Tinawhy are you doing this? Looks just go okay? I know whatever I say wont make a difference so just go do the movie and well talk when you get back.

So thats ityou want to leave it like that? Six months is a long time Bette. Long enough for

FOR WHAT?

Bette was fully awake now and Tina jumped a little when Bette raised her voice. Bette sat up and looked at Tina angrily and Tina felt her temper and stubbornness getting the better of her. Tina heard the anger in Bettes voice as she continued.

For what Tina? Whatare you going to meet someone else? Just forget about me and our life here? Is that it? Is that what you want?

Is that what YOU want Bette? Because obviously the idea of us staying together even though Ill be gone for so long is completely ridiculous to you so why dont you just forget it.

Oh thats great Tinaso its over? Just like that?

Well what do you want me to say Bette? Youre the one making it seem like if I leave Ill never come back.

Tina I never said that

Tina noticed the change in Bettes attitude but she was already on a roll and couldnt seem to stop the words from coming out of her mouth. Tina knew Bette was hurt right now, but Tina just didnt have it in her to try and console Bette if she was going to act like this.

Well youre acting like it Bette. Is it really too much to ask for you to let me do this? I never stopped you from doing anything for your damn gallerywhy cant you do the same for me?

I never had to leave for so long Tina.

Yeah but this is the first time Im leaving on short notice. With you its like I dont know if youll be around practically from week to week.

Tina

No Bettedont turn this around on meyoure the one who cant deal with me being gone.

I am dealing with it Tina.

What by getting drunk and not talking to meoh yeah thats a great way to deal Bette.

At least it got my mind off of you for one night.

Tina couldnt believe what Bette was saying. She fought back the tears that were threatening to form as she took a deep breath and tried to steady her voice before speaking.

I cant believe you Betteyou know I was actually came here because I was worried about you and wanted to see you before I lefthow ***** stupid am I? But I see now you obviously have better things to do with your time. Dont worry Betteit wont happen again.

Tina turned and walked quickly out to her car. She didnt know if she wanted Bette to follow her or not but either way she didnt look back and when she got into her car she was sad and upset that Bette hadnt come after her. As Tina drove back to her house she felt tears forming in her eyes as she thought about Bette. ***** Bettewhy do you have to be like this?

Bette watched Tina leave and she flopped back down on her bed with tears streaming down her cheeks. That wasnt how she wanted to leave things with Tina and now she wouldnt get to see her for at least six months, maybe more. Why do I do that? Why couldnt I just tell her I would miss her and wait for her to come home? Bette rolled over and buried her face in her arm. The mere thought of Tina being gone for so long was enough to make Bette miserable and Bette was kicking herself for being so cold to Tina. Great job Porteryou fucked that one up real nice. Bette just didnt know how to express to Tina how much she would miss her and her first instinct was to just push something away so that she wouldnt have to deal with it, but she just hoped she hadnt pushed Tina too far. Im sorry TinaIm so sorry. Bette lay there trying to figure out what she was going to do before she sat up and ran to the bathroom, barely making it in time to vomit into the toilet. Greatjust great Bette sunk down on her bathroom floor and cried until she fell asleep right there.

The next morning as Tina was leaving for the airport she decided to call Bette one last time just to see if it was worth worrying about for the next six months. She prayed Bette was sober and thinking more clearly than she was last night and she knew that if Bette just apologized, that Tina would let it go without another word.

RING

RING

Hlo?

Bettes voice was groggy and tired and Tina wondered if she would make it to work okay. Damn it, stop Tinayoure not her mother. Tina kept an even voice as she calmly told Bette she was leaving.

I just called to tell you I was leaving now.

Okay

Tina sighed to herself as she felt the tears welling up again. Doesnt she even care? thought Tina as she used all her restraint not to yell at Bette who probably had one ***** of a hangover right now.

Okay wellthats it I guess.

Tina waited for Bette to say something but all she got was silence so she decided enough was enough.

Okay I have to gogoodbye Bette.

Tina wait

Tina didnt say anything as she waited for Bette to continue, hoping that she still wasnt going to pull away and shut herself off again.

Tina?

What?

I just wanted to sayum

What Bette? I have to go

I just wanted to say that Ill miss you.

Tina smiled knowing this was probably killing Bette to admit. Bette was so invincible, so strong that she rarely showed her true emotions and verbalized them even more infrequently. Tinas voice was softer as she answered Bette.

Ill miss you too babe. Ill call you when I get there okay?

Okayoh and T?

What?

I love you.

I love you too. Bye.

Tina hung up with a smile on her face. She felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she was happy that Bette wasnt still mad about her having to leave. As Tina left for the airport she knew that a major disaster had been avoided, and she hoped that when she finally got back that her and Bette could really settle down and begin the rest of their lives together.