Bette opened the door to a Fed Ex delivery man standing on her porch. “Shane McCutcheon?” Bette shook her head. “I have a letter for Shane McCutcheon but it requires a signature. Is this the right address?”

“Uh, yeah, I’ll take it,” Bette said, as she reached for the pen. She scribbled her name and grabbed the letter. “Thanks,” he said, tearing off toward the truck. “Who is it,” asked Alice.

Bette turned and throwing the letter onto the desk, said, “It’s a letter for Shane. I guess it’s safe to assume she forwarded her mail here.”

“Why would she—where do you think she went?” Bette shrugged, “I have no idea, but someone is trying to get in touch with her.”

“Well, are you going to open it,” Alice asked, picking up the envelope and studying the return address.”

“Absolutely not, and neither are you, Alice, I’m serious! If she wants her mail she’s just going to have to come for it because I’m not looking for her again.” Bette grabbed the letter from Alice’s hand and threw it back onto the desk. “Just leave it alone.” She watched Bette walk off toward the bedroom but didn’t follow. Instead she simply yelled, “Listen, you’re busy, so, I’m going to take off,” and began to gather her things. Bette stretched her neck, “Okay. Oh, listen, Alice…”

“Yeah,” Alice said, looking back at her. “Don’t forget about the dinner party.” She looked away and began shoving her clothes into the duffel bag. “Right, the dinner party.”

Tina walked into the bedroom where Bette was working on her laptop. “Hey, come lay with me.” Bette didn’t take her eyes from the computer. “I have to get this done tonight or I’m really going to be behind schedule. I still need to book another artist…”

“You can do that from here,” Tina said, now climbing into the bed. “Come on, bring the laptop.” Bette got up and sat next to her. She began typing fast as Tina watched. After a few moments, Tina said, “Still no word from Shane.” Bette stopped typing and played with Tina’s hair. “She’ll show up when she needs something, I’m sure.”

“I don’t think she’s like that. In fact, I don’t think she’d come to us for anything.”

“Well, she came to us before.”

“No,” Tina said, rolling onto her back. “She came to you before, I just happened to be here.”

Bette slid the laptop onto the floor and rested her head on Tina’s shoulder. “I’ll ask Alice to look for her tomorrow if you want.”

“Alice is taking me for my checkup tomorrow, remember?”

“Well, then, I’ll ask Dana,” Bette said. “And if Dana can’t do it—I suppose I’ll make the time and look myself.”

A few moments went by before Bette continued, “That reminds me, actually, about the time factor—it’s no big deal if you’re not ready, and you can always say no…”

“Say no to what,” Tina said, meeting Bette’s eyes.

“Well, it’s just, I’m always running back and forth between here and my place…”

“Yeah,” Tina said, pushing herself up and leaning back on her hands. “Well, I was just wondering what you thought about moving in with me.”

“Oh, Bette…” Tina pushed the covers from her legs and stood. “Do you know what you’re asking?”

Bette became confused and sat up. “I think I’m asking you to move in with me. Would that be so bad?” Tina grabbed Bette’s computer from the floor and placing it on the desk, took a seat on the chair. “Are you sure about this? I mean, have you really thought about it? Bette, that’s a huge step—we just found each other again, not to mention my illness, the procedure, Shane…”

“But you’re doing so well, and I like to believe we found each other for a reason.” Bette got up and walking over to Tina, knelt down in front of her. “I want to build a life with you.  All that other stuff means nothing to me.”