Tina looked around the empty apartment. Alice was supposed to meet at Bettes at five thirty, but she left around four to make a few stops. Tina just sat there, numb and broken. All of her friends were with Bette; she was completely alone. She didnt have anyone she could call or talk to about this. It had crossed her mind to call Zoe, but she talked herself out of that pretty fast. That wasnt fair to Zoe, not to mention, she wasnt really sure she was ready to share all of that with her. She barely knew Zoe. She settled for just laying on the couch. She thought back to the day that she found out she was pregnant. Tina had been so excited to tell Bette. They had been perfect together for so long, and Tina had known they were ready to have this beautiful miracle as a symbol of their love. When she lost the baby she had emotionally shut down. She had had thrown herself into her work to try and take away the pain. She had pushed Bette away, feeling as if she had let her down; as if she had done something wrong. There were numerous times when she had wondered what she had done to make that happen, to deserve that kind of punishment. She remembered the night at the Provocations opening. What had her ultimate response to Bettes adultery been? She had emotionally shut down and thrown herself into work to avoid dealing with the situation. Perhaps, she thought, I pushed Bette away. I wasnt there for her, so she turned to somewhere else. Tina pulled a throw pillow close, tears streaming down her face, as she realized that she had actually played a huge part in the collapse of her marriage.

The girls walked into the house, looking around. Shane couldnt help but notice how cold it was. There had been so much love in this house. She remembered the morning she had walked home and caught them outside after a night of making love. She had told them that they gave her hope, and they really did. Now, however, she felt like the last strand of hope that she had been holding on to had broken in her very hands.
Alice walked into the back room, hoping to find Bette, and she did. Bette was sitting on the floor at the foot of the bed clinging to a pillow, tears flowing freely down her face.
Bette?
Im really going to miss you guys Alice, Bette said in a whisper not even looking up.
Were really going to miss you too, said Dana, who had followed Alice to the back of the house. Dana and Alice both walked over to Bette. Dana sat down next to her and put her arm around her, and Bettes head slowly fell to Danas shoulder. Alice sat down on the other side, facing Bette. Alice was trying hard to fight back her tears. Between the night before with Dana and Bette leaving for three months, she was emotionally drained. She had a feeling they were all emotionally drained. Shane walked in, closely followed by Kit. They both walked over and found seats with the three women. Shane laid her head in Bettes lap, and Kit sat on the bed, running her hands through her sisters beautiful hair. They sat in silence. Alice glanced at Dana and noticed that she was shaking, and the tears had started falling down her face. Dana heard a small sniffle and was surprised to see silent tears trickling from Shanes eyes. Bette felt an overpowering sense of love as the five women sat there, but she also felt that a part of her was missing; her best friend was missing.
Alice, did Tina say anything about yesterday? Or maybe coming to the airport, Bette asked hopefully.
The other women held their breath, and Alice hesitated, knowing that her words would hurt Bette.
Im sorry Bette. I asked her if she wanted to come, but she said she just couldnt. She did seem pretty torn up about you leaving though.
Bette nodded, but as Alice watched her reaction, she could have sworn she was watching what little fire was left in Bettes eyes going out. Those eyes that were once so full of life, that were vibrant and sparkling, were now dull and dead.
Guys, Kit said softly, wiping away her tears, Its time to go.

Tina sat up with a jolt when she heard the phone ring. She had been asleep for so long it was dark outside. She felt around and picked up the phone.
Hello?
Tina? Alice was crying uncontrollably in the phone.
Alice! Whats wrong? Tinas heart was racing. She couldnt catch her breath, and Alice seemed to be having the same problem.
Tina, shes goneI cantyou have toshes gone
Alice, whats going on? I cant understand you, Tina said perplexed.
Tina, its Dana. Alice had apparently given up and handed the phone to someone else, and while Dana was at least making sense, she was obviously crying. Tina, the airport just called Kit, and Bette isher plane crashed. They dont think but Dana couldnt get the rest out, and Tina didnt want her to. Tina felt as if the entire world had just stopped spinning. She tried to inhale, but couldnt. Her entire body had just gone numb.
NO! she screamed as the tears began to fall.

Tina woke up in a sweat. Her heart was racing and the pillow was wet with tears. The late afternoon sun sent rays through the window that danced at Tinas feet. She wiped her face and looked around.
It was just a dream, she said out loud to reassure herself.

The gang had tried to make some small talk on the way to the airport. Dana was driving her new Subaru Forester the sponsors had given her. Every now and then a hand would go up to wipe away a tear, or a sniffle would echo through the car. They tried to talk about some of the different places Bette was going to get to visit. Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, D.C., New York, and Seattle were some of the big ones on the list, along with several smaller cities. That conversation hadnt lasted long. Before long they were parking the car and the melancholy group was walking into the airport. Bette left to check in, while the rest of the girls found seats and waited on her. Dana placed an arm around Alice, who hadnt stopped crying since they left. She was taking it the hardest, which was understandable as she had known Bette the longest. Shane was holding on to Kit, and both women were crying. Bette came back after a while with her ticket and a sad smile.
This is where I leave you guys, she said, If I dont get in line for security now, Ill miss my plane.
Dana released Alice, and stood up to give Bette a hug, and Shane got up and did the same.
Be careful. Do you understand, Shane demanded, And youd better call as soon as you get there, and youd better call at least once a week.
Yes maam, said Bette.
Alice got up next and wrapped her arms around Bette. Several times she tried to say something, but she couldnt get the words past the sobs. When the broke apart, Bettes tears had started again, and Alice was shaking.
Here, she managed to say handing Bette a bag, Its goodies for on the plane. No talking to strangers!
Bette grinned a little. Alice walked back over to Shane, who was holding Dana. Shane held out her other arm for Alice. They all watched the sisters say goodbye.
Youd better come back to us baby girl.
I promise I will, Bette said.
They hugged, and cried. Bette pulled all four women in for one more hug.
I love you guys, she whispered, I promise Ill call as soon as I get to Dallas. I promise Ill come back. I love you. With one final look at her friends, Bette turned to walk to the security line.

Shed been standing in line for about thirty minutes. Her tears had stopped, but her face was tight from where the tears had dried, and her eyes were blood shot. She was finally getting close to the metal detectors and x-ray machines when she heard someone calling her name.
Bette turned at the sound of the familiar voice calling her. She figured that it was just one of the girls and they had forgotten to give her something or wanting to try one last time to talk her into staying.
Bette wait, came the desperate voice again. Bette searched the crowd. In her mind she knew who the voice belonged to, but she didnt want to get her hopes up. Tina came into view, her face stained with tears and a yellow rose in her hand. Bette left the line and rushed over to Tina. She stopped just short, not really sure if she could hug Tina, but wanting to so much. Tina threw her arms around Bette, as if reading her mind.
Bette, please dont go, Tina said softly, crying again.
T, Im obligated, plus I need to get away.
They stayed that way for a while. Frustrated people that had been behind Bette in line simply walked past her things. Alice, Dana, Shane and Kit, who had seen Tina pull in and had immediately turned around and followed her in, were standing nearby, watching in awe. Not a single face was dry.
Please be careful Bette. Please come back.
I promise T, Ill come back.
Tina let go of Bette and handed her the yellow rose.
This is so you dont forget me, she explained.
I dont need a rose to remember you by, Bette said with so much sincerity and love that Tinas knees almost buckled. Tina closed her eyes as Bette leaned forward and placed the gentlest kiss on her forehead.
I have to go, said Bette. She turned around and walked back to her bags, and Tina walked into the open arms of the girls that were waiting for her. They watched as Bette walked through the metal detectors and disappeared. The five women stood there crying in the middle of the airport.
I love you Bette, Tina breathed.