At Kits

Shane had given Bette a bottle of water and tried to figure out how to make coffee in Kits fancy coffee maker. She was failing miserably.
Bette: Shane thanks for taking care of me. You always take such good care of me.
A very affectionate drunk Bette walked over to Shane and pulled her into a hug and nuzzled her face into Shanes neck. Shane was taken aback for a moment and then she became frightened because then right there she felt an arousal begin to creep through her body. My God Im in so much trouble. Shane thought to herself.

Alice pulls up to Kits apartment.
TBC

Alice quickly leaves her mini and runs to Kits door. The door is partially opened. Alice assumed Shane had her hands full with Bette and had forgotten to lock the door. Alice opened the door and walked through the living room and approached the kitchen as she heard voices. When Alice opened the swinging kitchen door she saw Shane wrapped in Bettes arms and Bette was telling Shane just how lovely she was. Shanes eyes were closed and she didnt attempt to break the embrace. Alice noticed how Shane seemed to be enjoying their hug as her hands ran smooth slow circles on Bettes back.
Alice: So guys whats going on?
Shane looked like the cat who swallowed the canary. Oh hi Al whats up? Shane said as she quickly removed herself from Bette.
Bette: (slurring) AliceAl what are you doing here? Isnt Shane the best Al isnt she? I love her and I love you too.
Alice decided shed break up the connection. Bette right now Id imagine you love everybody. Lets get some coffee.

Alice sits and watches Bette finish up her second cup of coffee. Her drunkenness has started to wear off”a little.

Bette: Alice what are you doing here?
Alice: Tina called me looking for you. She told me what happened with Simone.
Alice then looks at Shane and adds …and Megan.
Bette: Megan. Wait Tina kissed Megan too? Shane what the ***** is going on?
Shane: (laughing because Bette is still buzzed) No Bette. Tina didnt kiss Megan. I think Alice is referring to the fact that I broke up with Megan tonight.
Bette: OH Shane I thought you guys were getting along well. I was just getting used to the idea of the two of you being together. What happened?
Shane: Its not really important lets just say we had one very strong difference of opinion and it happened to be a deal breaker for me.
Bette walked over to Shane and rubbed her cheek. Shane Im so sorry. I look at you and see a really sweet, beautiful, fun-loving, cool woman and I personally believed you could do better than Megan anyway. Dont give up on love”you deserve it. Bette said as tears started to run down her cheeks. Love doesnt always kick your ***** and leave you hurt, confused, and alone. Bettes tears kept running from her beautiful dark eyes and Shane felt her heart stop. She quickly wrapped her arms around Bette and whispered, Hey it will be okay. Youll see”everything will work out. Alice sat quietly and watched as Shane comforted Bette she could see there was more than a friendly concern there. As Shane opened her eyes they were met with a harsh gaze from Alice. Alice again broke the connection and retrieved Bette sitting her down beside her on Kits sofa.

Bette wiped her eyes and began to talk through her concerns. I just dont know why she did it. I thought we were so happy. This was supposed to be one of the happiest days of our lives”finding out together that we would be moms. Instead Tina”Tina kissed Simone the woman she warned me about time and again. The strange thing is Tina and I had been better than we ever were but I guess I cant be too angry I mean I put her through something that was so much worse with the affair and she forgave me. Its always going to go back to that damn affair the one thing I cant take back regardless of how great things are now. Bette said as more tears fell.

Alice thought about what Bette was saying she knew”or at least thought she knew that Tina had truly forgiven Bette. After Bette was attacked Tina realized that life was simply too short and too fragile to throw away their love. Alice reasoned that Tinas indiscretion might not have had anything to do with Bettes affair.

Bette supposed this doesnt have anything to do with your affair”what if this is something solely on Tina. I know you like to beat yourself up Bette but this could just be on her and her alone. Alice added.

Al the truth is Ill never know because I did have the affair. Bette replied dejectedly. The thing is”and this isnt an excuse, but when I had the affair Tina and I were in a really bad place in our relationship. We werent talking much and we were both way too busy with work and we didntwe didnt grieve together for the loss of our son we were such a mess. But now things are so much better. Tina and I make a point to be there for each other and I dont keep things from her. I know shes the best part of what I am and I give it back to her because its hers. Shes nurtured it and its grown”my love for her makes me love life and even when something bad happens I know that its never that bad because I have Tina. The thing is if Ive given her my best and shes unhappy theres no point. I just want her to be happy and if my best doesnt do it Ill have to let her go. God knows I dont want to but what else is there to do when your best isnt good enough? You know maybe it was never suppose to last. Im her first”the first woman shes ever been with and maybe now she feels deprived like shes missed out on something. All I can give her is me. I dont have anything else and Ive given myself completely to her”my best and if she isnt happy with that Ill have to let her go. Bette started weeping again at the idea of her life without Tina.

Alice sat closer to Bette and pleaded for her to calm down. Shh Bette come on you dont know whats going on with Tina. Dont do this okay talk to your woman and figure this all out before you do something youll both regret.

Shane sat in silence listening to Bette her heartbreaking at the sight of her dear friend in so much pain. Here she is willing to give up everything in hopes that Tina will find true happiness”Bette is amazing and so filled with love why cant Tina see that. Yeah Bette screwed up big time”once and anyone who knows her knows shell never do it again”why doesnt Tina trust that? If Bette were my womanGod why am I evening think like this. Shane tried to quiet her thoughts as she finally turned her head away from this heartbreaking sight. She felt tears begin to fill her eyes and then Alice caught her wiping a tear away that had escaped her green eyes. Any doubts Alice had were gone. Shane is still in love with Bette”damn I dont see how this can turn into anything good. Alice thought as she was still trying to comfort a weary Bette.

Shane: Bette may I ask you something?
Bette: Yeah”what?
Shane: When Tina forgave you did you think she was being strong or weak?
Bette: Strong definitely”why?
Shane: You love that side of her, dont you”her strength?
Bette: Absolutely Shane. I do”very much love that side of her.

Shane: Well tonight”her kissing Simone. I think that was a moment of weakness and it was wrong”very wrong.

Alice: (interrupts) HeyHey Shane what are you doing?

Shane put up her hand signally Alice to calm down. No Allisten Im not going to say what you think Im going to say.
Bette: What are you getting at?
Shane: Bette do you consider yourself to be a strong woman?

Bette: Yes of course I mean you all know that Ive had my moments of weakness but yeah. Id consider myself to be a very strong woman. Shane come on whats your point?

Shane: Well Bette the way I see it youve got to be strong enough to love Tina when shes right or when shes wrong. Youve gottta be strong when shes weak. She was for you. You owe her that much. You owe your family that much. So dont blow this up into something it doesnt have to be. Be the woman that I know you are. Talk to your woman find out what she needs. If shes hurt comfort her”love her Bette because thats who you are. You are Tinas love and shes yours shes just a little lost this isnt a deal breaker.

Bette sat there and let Shanes advice slowly seep into her she felt instantly better. At least she thought this was surmountable if Tina did really love her she wasnt going to bow out she would fight for Tina she had to. Bette wiped all of her tears and sat up straight. She stared at Shane for a long moment.

Bette: May I ask you something Shane?
Shane: Of course, Bette ask away.
Bette: Are you reallyYoda? I mean I thought he was supposed to be like a couple of hundreds of years old. What are you 26 or 27?

Alice was dumfounded she had witness something she knew shed never forget. Shane could have played this so differently she could have tried to break the seemingly fragile bond but instead she found the words, the courage, and the selflessness to make sure Bette got back home. Damn Shane is amazing”absolutely amazing. Alice thought to herself.

Shanes serious demeanor relaxed and a slow smile crept across her lips because Bettes tone was so solemn when she asked her if she was really Yoda. Bette got up and ran to Shane and held her tight as she whispered. Thank you Shane”God what would I do without you? Im not giving up on my life that easily. You said everything I needed to hear. Thank you so much. Bette kissed Shanes cheek and Shane closed her eyes and held her close for a moment longer as she breathed Bettes scent in. Ive got to get over this beautiful woman. She and Tina belong together”enough, enough Shane chastised herself. She slowly let go of Bette and looked at her beautiful friend. Now weve got to get you home to your woman where you belong.

TBC