When New and Old Collide: Chapter 9 Previously: Tina had remained in that frozen position for what felt like hours (But was really only two minutes) she wanted to answer Jaime and talk to her about what had just come out of Beths mouth but she just did not know what to say. So they sat there in silence watching Beth play on the beach picking out sea shells and sea glass. Until Tinas phone rang and knocked them both out of their trances. Jaime: Please dont get that, we really need to talk. She says hoping that Tina can see that this is not the time to answer the phone. Tina: Im sorry let me get this really quick and then we can talk, its Alice it may be important. She says just trying to delay the inevitable. Hello. She says into the phone. ************************************************************************ Alice: Hey Tina, where are you? she says hurriedly. I need to see you right now, it is very important; can you meet me at your house in 30 min? Tina: What happened? Is everything ok, is everyone ok? she says worried about Alices tone of voice. Alice: I just need to talk to you, everyones fine. She says not wanting to divulge the information she had over the phone. Tina knew that she probably should not leave Jaime without talking about everything that had happened in that last hour. Right now though, getting as far away as possible to this situation seemed pretty good to her. Tina stood up; still on the phone with Alice and started gathering her things and getting Beths jacket and shoes on. Jaime just looked at her like she was about to start crying; Tina averted her gaze and kept it anywhere but at Jaime. Tina: Al, I am on my way; just let me finish getting Beth ready and I will meet you at my house in 30 min. Bye she says trying to figure out what this is all about, and wondering if she is doing the right thing by leaving before she had a chance to talk to Jaime. Jaime: Whats wrong, is someone hurt? she says with worry in her voice. Tina: No, Alice just said that she needed to talk to me in private and that it is very important. She says throwing in that private part just to make sure Jaime did not invite herself. Tina was pretty sure now that whatever important thing Alice had to discuss with her had to involve Bette. Jaime: So nothing is wrong, and nobody is hurt and yet your running away from me after I asked you to move in with me and she trails off feeling hurt and kind of betrayed, that after being with this woman for two years she still is not as important to her as Alice or any of her other friends. Tomarryme. She says the last part with all of the air in her body leaving. Tina: I dont want to talk about this right now. She says with frustration in her voice. Why do you always have to be so pushy, can you not give me a little time to think about things. This is a huge ***** decision and not one that you can rush me into. So now I am leaving to find out what is up with my friend and to figure things out in my head. Is that ok with you? she says now fully pissed off. Jaime: I cannot ***** believe that you are acting this way. I am not pushing you; I have waited two damn years to even ask you about moving in together. She says holding back her tears. You cannot even give me five ***** minutes to figure out what the ***** is going on. Do you even love me Tina? Do you even ***** care? she says now just as pissed as Tina. Tina: Im done. She says in an even tone. When you can stop being such a baby and stop trying to push me into things that I am not ready for, then you can call me. She says getting up and going to her car. Tina has a right mind to just leave Jaime there, but she knows she cant; so she offers to take Jaime back to her apartment. Jaime says yes only because she has no other transportation. On the long drive back to WEHO the car is in complete silence except for Beth playing with her singing Elmo doll. When they arrive at Jaimes apartment they both sit there not knowing what to do or what to say. Jaime breaks the silence Jaime: I am sorry that you think that I was trying to pressure you Tina; that is the last thing that I would ever want to do. She says hoping Tina can hear the sincerity in her voice. I love you and Beth and I just want to make sure that you know that; before I get out of this car and before you go and talk to Alice. She says now worried that what Alice has to say has something to do with Bette Porter. Tina: Listen I love you too, but I really need to think about everything this is not just my life this is Bethys to. I know you love her but I just have to make sure this is the best thing possible for all of us. She says trying to make Jaime feel better, but not give her too much hope. I will call you later and you can come over after Alice leaves. Ok? Jaime: Ok. Is all she can say as she gets out of the car and waves goodbye to Bethy. Tina pulls up in front of her house where Alice is already there and sitting on the front steps. As Tina walks closer she can see that Alice is not alone. TBC