Hello. This is Father Andy.

Father Andy, its BetteBette Porter. I tell him my name as if weve only met once.

Is everything okay? You sound flustered.

I need to talk to you, I tell him.

Well, Im about to perform another wedding at the moment. The ceremony should be over in a couple of hours. Why dont you meet me here at the church? Meat a church?

Youre kiddingright?

No Im not. I have a pretty busy day today, but I really want to help you out. Im sorry, I just cant get away. He speaks as though he really cares about me. Why does he want to help me so much? Bette? Are you still there?

Yeah, Im here.

Why dont you meet me in the rectory? Susan will be here to let you in.

Susan?

The woman who answered the phoneshes the church secretary. He explains. Be here at ten.

Okay, I say before hanging up. I realize for the second time today I hung up without saying goodbye. Wheres you head? I say to myself as my stomach speaks up. I dont feel like making anything, but Im starved. Skipping dinner was a bad ideaI think Ill go over to the Planet for some breakfast.

I walk in and order my food to goId rather not sit here with all these people coming in and outand what if Tina shows up? As I turn to the door, I run into Shaneliterally.

Bette, what are you doing here? Shes surprised to see me.

Picking up some breakfast, I reply hesitantly. What are you doing here? You disappeared on me this morning.

Uh, yeah. I really needed to check in with my roommates. They nearly mauled me when I got home, she explains. Well, dont let me keep you. Is she trying to get rid of me? It doesnt matterI dont want to hang around here anyway.

Ill see you later Shane. I walk out the door and across the street. As I get in my car and start the engine, I notice Tina and Alice walking into the Planet. I cant help but stareTina looks goodnot like last night at all. Go talk to her Betteshe looks like shell be more receptive. I reach for the door handle but catch myself. Noshell let you talk just to be civil in public. She doesnt like it when everyone knows our business any more than I do. Give her timegive her the choiceto meet or notwhen shes ready. I put the car in drive and pull away. Aimlessly driving, I find myself at the beach. Drinking my coffee and eating my muffin, I cant help but think of Tina sitting next to mewatching the waves crashlistening to the gullsher hair is blowing in the cool, coastal breeze. Boy you really fucked things up this time Bette Porter.