Tina woke up early. She didnt hear Alice coming home last night and looking at her now, Tina was surprised to see her in her street clothes. She smiled, thinking that her friend was killing herself working that hard.
She wished she could help her with Dana, she needed to talk with Dana, if only to have her back in her life as a friend at least.

Tina knew how much Dana meant to Alice. And it wasnt just because of the kiss. Way before the kiss Dana was, always have been Alices best friend. Everybody thought it was Shane but Tina knew that Dana was the one who always brought tenderness to Alices life.
Dana was the one who open Alices heart to the beauty in small things. Dana made it clear to Alice that there was a life out there that could be nave, pure, simple and harmless. And it has been Dana the one that showed the world how caring, how sweet, how tender Alice could be. It was only with Dana, and now with her, that Alice showed her soft side. She was a tough gal and liked to pretend or show it but deep inside they all knew how good she was.
It has been Dana the one to get the best from Alice, her generosity, her thankfulness, her wit. Alice loved taking care of Dana, looking after her and then she found out she was in love with her. Tina knew how much that knowledge scared Alice and she knew how much it scared Dana, she was just sorry that Dana was not ready to try. Tina thought theyd be a great couple but then, what did she knew? After all that happened she was not sure about love anymore.

Jumping off the bed Tina saw the big envelope on the chair. She didnt mean to but walking pass it she saw her name on it.
Bettes handwriting brought tears to her sleepy eyes in less than a second. She started feeling dizzy and worried she could fall down she moved closer to he bed, sitting down, waking Alice.

Alice opened her eyes barely to find Tina trembling, seated on the edge of the bed. Seating on the bed Alice moved closer, as she was leaning into Tina she noticed the envelope. She forgot about it and now, seeing it there, looking at them she understood Tinas shakiness.

“Are you ok Tee Alices words sound as flat as she thought they were. There was no doubt she was far from ok but Alice was jus trying to win some time. She was not sure what to say to her. Her eyes were open but her brain was still pretty sleepy.

As Alice was opening her mouth to say something Tina rushed to the bathroom, her hand on her mouth. Aliced hear Tinas morning sickness making her opening act.
She walked to the bathroom, finding Tina on the floor, looking pale and sad. Alice sat down at her side, offering a wet small towel to her.

You dont have to open it Tee, you dont.

Tina was crying, no sound was coming out but big fat tears were running down her cheeks, making impossible for Alice not to hug her.
They were there for a while, Alice helping Tina face what fate, destiny of call it Bette was putting in front of her.

Tina walked to the kitchen to make breakfast while Alice headed to the shower. They ate in silence, each of them exhausted for different but similar reasons.
It was Saturday morning and Alice said she needed to go work for a while. Tina was just going to rest and then they decided to meet for lunch and then do some errands together. Neither of them talked about the envelope that was still in the bedroom chair.

Alice left kissing Tina on the cheek. The moment she heard the door closing, Tina started pacing the room. She was afraid to walk in the bedroom, shed see the envelope calling her name, teasing her. Tina tried to do the breakfast dishes, clean the kitchen, she even ordered alphabetically the cds but the envelope was still haunting her.


The moment Alice left the house she called Shane. She needed someone to talk with. She was worried about Tina, and about Bette too. But then Shane didnt answer her cell.

Damn it! *****!!., *****! Alice was slamming the cell on her car seats, then looking at it she just press number one button, hoping, scared.

Hello? Danas sleepy voice lighted Alice knotted heart.

Dane? Heyit me Alice was having difficult finding the easy words she needed to start the conversation.

Al? are you ok? Its 8am Danas voice showed concern, caressing Alices fears, calming her shaking hand.

Yes Dane, am sorry, am ok, but

Dana could tell from the tone on Alices voice that she was far from ok.

Where are you Al? Dana asked, already putting her jeans on, waiting for Alice to continue talking.

I am, Im in my car Listening to Danas concern tone was too much for Alice to bear. It broke all her thick barriers, the small hole that was letting Alice breath all that time she has been missing Dana was broken now with her sweet voice, growing bigger and bigger, leaving Alice exposed, naked. Her true feelings out.

Al, where is your car? Dana was closing the door to her house, walking to her car.

On my street, but, but I have to move, dont want Tina to see me here.
Dana didnt ask the reason, just nodded, adding.

Meet me in the Planet in 10 minutes Al, and drive carefully ok
Alice was nodding, still shaking but realizing Danas words she added,

Do you mind if we meet at Moss, two blocks from here?

Sure Al, see you there Dana knew the place, has been there once, with Tina, so she drove there as fast as she could. She didnt want to think about the excitement she was feeling just by knowing she was going to see Alice. She was worried about her, her voice sounded desperate, an adjective she was not use to put close to Alices name.

Alice was parking her mini cooper when she saw Danas car right behind her. They both jumped out of their cars at the same time. Alice could not move her eyes from Danas while she was walking towards her. Dana stopped her pace inches apart from her friend, looking at her in the eyes, not breaking contact.

You look like ***** Al” Danas words were sweet as candy, she could have been reciting the phone book that for Alice they were music for her soul.

Alice was speechless, there was so much she wanted to say that words were dying in her head before even getting to her mouth.

Dana moved back a little, looking at Alice, taking comfort in her image. Just then, in front of her, seeing the vulnerable Alice asking for help, Dana realized something she has been denying to herself. There was nothing she could not do for Alice, she loved her. The words were taking form in her head, looking at Alice, noticing her messy hair, her wrinkle clothes, the dark colour under her eyes.

After more than two months avoiding her, denying her feelings, hiding for her, Dana was finally facing her destiny, as scary as it was just looking at Alice, Dana was feeling better than shed remember.

Come on, lets go inside Dana said, shaking, placing her hand on Alices back, leading her inside, knowing that from that moment she was walking on a bumping road.

She needed to make lots of changes in her life but now it was Alices time, and Dana was not going to show her true feeling now. It was not the time, not yet. She was going to be her friend, just what Alice needed at the moment. Just what brought the happiest days to her life. She was going to start from the beginning, taking baby steps, trying to build up their friendship all over again. She needed Alices friendship as much as Alice needed hers..




Tina, sighing deeply, facing her fate, and knowing she was doing so walked in the bedroom.
Taking the envelope in her trembling hands she sat on the floor with her back on the wall.

She looked at Bettes handwriting for a long time, caressing it. Shes always loved Bettes handwriting, it was just like Bette. Stiff, lean, large, but soft in the corners and beautiful in all its shape.

Caressing each letter, the long brave T, the always shy and tender I, the playful N and the beautiful A , Tina noticed the meaning in each of those letters.. seeing the irony of it all, she found the courage she needed to finally opened the envelope.



(Author note just spell Tina slowly you will see spelling A in plural)