*Grabbing her car keys Bette headed out the door giving the place one last look. She wasnt coming back. Unless it was with Tina.* So Bette didnt go back. Tina had refused all advances from Bette for a reconciliation. She had stayed at a hotel promising herself that when she did return to their home to stay it would be together. It had been nearly 6 months but Tina wouldnt hear anything Bette had to say, so she gave up, let her have her space and decided to leave. *Fine, if Tina never wants to see or speak to me again I cant live in a place where I know Ill see her or run into her occasionally. I cant be around her and not be with her.* Bette shook her head as if the idea was completely ridiculous that they all expected her to just live with Tina not wanting any contact with her. Throwing on her jacket and grabbing her keys she left the hotel room and went to check out. She drove back to their house to pack her things and make a few phone calls to the CAC and Kit. After packing a bag and grabbing her jewelry and CDs, carefully sorting through them to make sure she didnt take what wasnt hers, she loaded the trunk of her car and made her way back to the house for her phone calls. California Art Center, Bette Porters Office. James spouted monotonously. Geez James is that always how you answer the phone? No wonder I never get any good phone calls. James laughed heartily loving hearing his boss voice again. Bette, where have you been? Are you coming in today? He asked hopefully, it was horrible when he had to deal with Franklin alone. Bette was put off by his hopeful tone and felt like a huge ***** for doing this, but she needed to sever the ties that she had and get gone as fast as possible, no connections. No James I wont be, and I wont be coming back to the CAC either. II need a change, things here have just become too much to deal with. So I decided to leave LACalifornia all together even. James tried to interrupt. But Bette Im sorry James; you were a great assistant and a great friend. Tell FranklinI dont know, tell him I said Bite me for all the ***** hes put me through yeah? See you around maybe. Bette hung up the phone without hearing his reply; she hated saying goodbye; thats mainly why she didnt. See you around is much better than goodbye; at least it gives a little hope that youll see them again. Exhaling a burst of air and rubbing her forehead Bette picked up the phone again, this time to call Kit. Hello. Bette frowned not recognizing the voice answering her sisters phone. Uhm hi, is Kit there? Ah well shes sleeping at the moment, but I can take a message, this is Bette right? the person asked. Yeah it is, whos this? Ivandid you want to leave a message? Bette thought quickly, she couldnt leave without saying goodbye to Kit, it would make her feel rejected yet again since David and Melvin both refused to talk, Kit had no family but her. Sure, can you just tell her that Im leaving town for a while, I dont know when Ill be back or where Im going but Ill give her a call when I find out. Take care of her for me okay? And tell her I love her. Ivan was trying to figure out if she should try to wake up Kit, but before she could get out a response she was met with a dial tone. *****. *Thats it* Bette thought regretfully. *Theres nothing keeping me here anymore.* Her eyes began to sting from the salty tears she knew where seconds away from gracing her cheeks. They finally began to spill uncontrollably when she was at the threshold of the front door to the house. Looking around longingly she recalled carrying Tina through this doorway after coming home from their honeymoon in Santorini. ~Jumping out of the limo they had taken from the airport Tina could barely keep her hand off of Bette. Walking up the porch stairs was hard with Tinas arms around her waist, but they managed. She wasnt about to tell Tina to move any time soon. Looking at the door and then turning to look at Tina she couldnt believe how undyingly happy she was at this moment. When they left the gang had said they would take care of furnishing their new place so it would be all done and decorated when they came back from their honeymoon. Now it was all catching up to Bette. T, this is our houseour house. She said grinning from ear to ear. I know babe, so hurry this up and open the door, I need to make love to you in every roomseveral times She watched as Tina thought for a moment and her eyes lit up. and in the pool. She finished with an eyebrow wiggle that made Bettes heart jump up into her throat and her blood rush down into herwell you know. Before Tina knew what hit her she was being cradled in Bettes strong arms. Baby what are you doing? Leaning to kiss Tinas sweet lips Bette replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Carrying my wife into our new life togetherisnt that what Im supposed to do? For this she received the hugest of Tinas smiles, and for the rest of that day and nightwell into the next dayand the next night, the happy couple christened their house, and their backyardand their front porch (but thats a story to be told at a later time.) ~ Bette couldnt help but grin through the tears from ear to ear at this wonderful memory. But that was all gone now, and she didnt have any logical reason to stay. Carefully she slipped the note she had written for Tina onto the little table by the door and taped her house key to it. Now fully sobbing she covered her mouth to keep from letting out any sounds and fled down the steps into her car, throwing the car into reverse quickly she sped out of the street, out of LA, and into a life that she had no plan, no set agenda for. She was scared as *****, but now she could maybe start overyeahright.