She looked up meeting Bette’s worried eyes “I need to tell you something” she said in a weak voice.

“Ok” Bette nodded reassuringly “I’m here” she said taking Tina’s hand in hers “I’m listening”

“Why don’t we sit down” Tina gave Bette a small smile gesturing with her other hand for Bette to sit. They sat down and Bette kept Tina’s hand in a firm hold sensing that her friend needed support to tell her what was on her mind.

“I…” Tina started looking down at the table “I found a lump in my breast”

Bette sat quiet as she tried to comprehend what Tina was telling her. A part of her knew where Tina was going with this information, but another part of her refused to acknowledge it.

“I thought I would just go and check it out to make sure everything was ok so I went to the doctor last week and they did a mammogram …” Tina said looking down at their entwined hands “…and then they said that they needed to do some more tests” Tina’s voice cracked and she felt tears make their way down her cheeks.

She looked back up at Bette seeing the brunette look back at her with worried eyes and her mouth clenched as she waited for Tina to continue.

“I…I have cancer Bette” Tina got out in a weak voice.

Bette stared at Tina with a blank expression finding it hard to take in what Tina was saying.

“W…What?” she stuttered as she tried to get her thoughts together.

“I have breast cancer” Tina whispered averting her eyes down to the table, her shoulders shaking as she cried silently.

Bette held on to Tina’s hand, her mouth slightly open as she tried to take in the shocking news. She looked at Tina who was sitting in front of her with her head bent down and her shoulders shaking from the quiet sobs.

Bette bit her lip to try to stop the tears that were forming in her eyes but to no use, she brought her arms around Tina and held her tightly as they were both now crying.

After a few minutes they broke the hug and looked at each other’s tear stained face “How…when…how?” Bette was at a loss for words.

“I have an appointment with a surgeon in a few days” Tina said.

“They’re going to operate on you? Bette asked.

“Yeah…” Tina answered in a quiet voice “I’m really scared Bette” she confessed.

“It’s ok” Bette comforted her “It’s going to be ok…it’s going to be ok” she kept repeating, not sure if she was trying to convince herself or Tina.  

TBC?