If Stevie had been scarce before it seemed like nothing compared to now.  She was never around.  It was too much for her to be around Bette.  Shane and Bette’s relationship suffered from this change.  Bette tried to reach out to Stevie but always came up empty.  Stevie delved knee deep into nameless, faceless women trying to forget about Bette.  It seldom worked.  She would at times go to Bette’s door wanting to knock and go in but couldn’t.  She felt they were too distant now to try and salvage some friendship.   The way she saw it was, if they couldn’t be lovers they could at least be friends, but she was sure everyone didn’t feel that way.  So she thought it better to just leave it alone.  After some time passed maybe she would come around more and their natural attraction that brought them together in the first place would resurface.  She hoped.

Bette on the other hand didn’t think like Stevie did when it came to matters of the heart.  Bette felt strongly for Stevie and she was positive Stevie did for her too.  She could tell in the way Stevie touched her those nights, how she took her time.  How she longed for Bette to be close.  The way she looked at her as if studying her every feature.  Even when she slept she felt Stevies eyes on her, those grey orbs scanning and memorizing.  There was no denying it.  They both had very strong feelings for each other and enough was enough.  Bette loved that Stevie wanted to respect Shane’s wishes but this was taking it too far.  It was time for Bette to put her foot down.

Bette walked into a local deli around the salon Shane worked in.  She figured she would be there for lunch.  Like clockwork Bette found her sitting alone enjoying a sandwich.  She had no qualms about interrupting.

Shane:  “Bette?!  What are you doing here?”

Bette:  “Shane I’m going to speak and I’m asking you to listen until I’m done.”

Shane:  “Bette this really isn’t a good time.”

Bette:  “Well I’m not leaving until you talk to me.”

Shane looked around her nervously.

Shane:  “Ok.”

Bette:  “Shane I now how protective you are of your sister and of me, but she means a lot to me.  We understand each other.  She gets me and where I’m coming from and I’m trying my best to get her.  But you interfering only makes that difficult.  We’re both adults and are able to handle whatever comes our way.  She’s tried to honor your wishes and so have I but…Shane I can’t be without here.  I think I….”

She was interrupted.

Stevie:  “Don’t finish.”

Bette:  “Stevie.  I was trying to say…”

Stevie:  “I know what you trying to say but just…don’t.”

Just now Shane stood staring past both of them at the exit as if she had seen a ghost.  Bette saw a small boy walk up next to Stevie.  Stevie watched Bette as her expression changed and then to Shane.  She was almost afraid to turn to see what they were looking at.

Child:  “Mommy?”

Stevies tiny eyes doubled in size just then.  She locked eyes with Bette who looked down at the small boy looking up at Stevie who was now completely terrified to look anywhere besides straight ahead.  When she finally mustered enough strength to look down she instantly went to tears as she laid eyes on the cute little boy.  Bette looked on and turned to Shane.

Bette:  “Who’s that with the boy?”

Shane:  “Her husband.”

TBC