«You spent the night here ?», Bette asked, looking distraught, like the life had been drained out of her. Alice stroked her hair very gently. «I wanted to be here in case you needed somebody…», Alice said softly. Bette’s eyes filled with tears again. «I’ll be all right, I’m a strong woman remember ?»

Alice smiled weakly. «I know you are, but you have to let it all out, Bette, don’t keep the hurt inside»

«I need to get ready for work…», Bette said, getting out of bed.

«Why don’t you call in sick. I don’t think you’re in any shape to go to work», Alice offered.

«It’ll keep my mind of… you know», Bette replied, walking toward the bathroom.

«OK, but promise me you’ll call if you need to talk»

«I will, I promise. Thanks Alice for being there for me. It means a lot». Bette gave Alice a big hug before she left her house. Bette let the tears flow once again in the shower. She had never felt so much despair in her life… She turned on the cold water and stood underneath it for a while, hoping it would make her feel alive somehow…

At work, Bette had much to do and was thankful for the diversion. Alice, Shane and Dana called during the day, wanting to know how she was. At least, she wasn’t going through this heartbreak alone. She was about to leave for home when she ran into Franklin in the hall.

«Bette, I’m so glad to see you. Listen, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart», Franklin told her, looking rather happy.

«Thank me ? For what ?». Bette wasn’t in the mood to play guessing games.

«For talking to Tina. I spoke to Joe today and he said she’s a different woman. I don’t know what you told her, but it sure made her feel better»

«Fucking great», she thought. «I’m glad. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go», she explained, trying to get away.

«One more thing, Bette. I know this is short notice, but I’d like to invite you to the wedding», Franklin asked.

Bette thought she would start screaming. Go to the wedding and watch the woman she was crazy about pledge her love to someone else ? That was too fucking crazy…«Thanks Franklin, but I already have plans that day», Bette said.

The days leading to the wedding were pure hell for Bette. At work, she was still the same strong Bette Porter, the woman who was in total control. Back at home, she would fall apart, drinking and roaming aimlessly in the dark. She felt empty and cold. Her friends came by often to give her support and she was grateful for their visits, although most of the time she just wanted to be left alone.

Leaning against her blue Saab, Bette still didn’t know what possessed her to drive to the church where Tina and Joe were about to get married on this beautiful July day in L.A. Her head was pounding from all the drinks she had last night. She watched as a long white limousine stopped right in front of the church. Two elderly people, a man and a woman, got out, probably Tina’s parents. Then it was Tina’s turn to step out of the car, all dressed up in a white lacy dress. Bette stared at her, her heart breaking all over again. Tina must have felt someone watching her because she turned around and looked right at Bette, who was too far to read the expression on her beautiful face.

Tina’s mother said something in her ear and she nodded. She turned her back on Bette and walked into the church, not looking back once. «I wish you happiness, Tina», Bette whispered to herself. She stood there for a few minutes, not knowing where to go next. She didn’t want to go to her empty house and at the same time, she didn’t feel like going to The Planet where she would be surrounded by too many happy people. Maybe she would just drive around with the radio blasting so loud she wouldn’t even hear herself think.

Sighing heavily, Bette opened her car door and she was about to climb in when she heard a familiar voice calling her name…