Chapter 21: http://fanfiction.l-word.com/story/36496/page1.html

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Chapter 22

Bette took Tina’s hand and smiled at the expectant faces looking around at them.

“We would love to stay here with all of you, believe us. But we can’t. It’s important for us to go. Life is about progression and change, is it not? Which is why, as much as we love you, we’ve got to go, and try to move forward with our lives.”

“I understand,” Shane said quietly.

“Yeah, we get it,” Alice chimed in. “But that doesn’t mean that we like it,” she smiled at them, her eyes moist. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you guys.”

Bette stood and hugged Alice and Shane in turn and Tina did the same. Bette pulled away and laughed awkwardly with Shane, whose eyes were bright with tears. Bette blinked rapidly and dabbed a finger at the corner of her eye, but it was useless. A few tears spilled over, messing up her make-up. She excused herself and headed for the bathroom. She ran a paper towel under cold water as she faced her reflection, then tried to fix the damage.

The door swung open behind her and Bette saw Helena in the reflection.

“Hey,” Helena said. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah. I’m okay. I was just fixing my face,” Bette tried to smile reassuringly.

Helena came over to the adjoining sink and washed her hands. “So, you’re really going to let Max stay with you?”

Bette got a new paper towel and dried around her eyes. “Yeah, I mean… I guess so? It was just an impulsive thought I had. I didn’t really think it over. But I know he’s been living in that shed and…” Bette trailed off, tossing her paper towel into the trash. “I don’t know. He’s been having a hard time. He can’t stay in that shed forever.” Bette frowned, trying to remember something she had seen earlier that had bothered her. “Why?”

“Oh, no reason, just my own curiosity. Are you quite sure it’s the best thing?”

Bette scrutinized Helena’s profile as the nagging thought she had been trying to crystalize in her mind came clear. Earlier, when she had made the impromptu offer to Max, she had caught a glimpse of Helena’s face. Helena had been frowning at Max, looking upset. She noticed it then but had dismissed it, but not completely.