LOST

Alice is sleeping on the sofa and is woken up by a noise in the kitchen. She remembers finding Tina in her apartment when she came home in the early hours of the morning. She remembers Tina crying and her attempt to update the board. She realizes that she must have fallen asleep while holding Tina in her arms. She makes her way into the kitchen to check on Tina. Tina is sitting at the table staring off into space.

Alice: Tina? Are you okay?

Tina (becoming aware that Alice is standing there) tries to talk but can only manage to cry.

Alice (wrapping her arms around Tina): Its okay. Im here for you. If you need to cry I will hold you. If you want to talk about it, I will listen.

Alice continues to hold Tina until her crying subsides.

Alice: Did you manage to get any sleep at all?

Tina (softly): No. Everything that happened last night just kept playing like a movie in my head.

Alice (hesitantly): So you want to tell me what exactly happened?

Tina: I cant. I just cant say the words out loud It will make it too real.

Alice (changing the subject): Why dont we fix you something to eat and afterwards you can take a shower and try to get some sleep.

Tina: I couldnt eat anything. I think it would come right back up. I do think that I need to lie down for a while though.

Alice: Why dont you go lay down in the bedroom. I have some work to do on an article on my computer in the living room.

Tina hugs Alice and goes into the bedroom. She lies down on the bed and tries to go to sleep but thoughts start running through her mind.

Tina (thinks to herself): How did I wind up here? Am I in the middle of a nightmare and when I wake up I will be at home with Bette in our bed and in her arms? Oh please let that be true!

Sadly she knows it isnt true and she silently cries until she falls into an exhausted sleep.

Bette is asleep on the bed. She is still in her bra and the pants she wore to the Provocations opening. She starts to stir and reaches over to try and hold Tina but only finds an empty bed. She comes fully awake when she realizes that Tina isnt in bed with her. She gets up and goes in search of Tina. She is walking through the house calling Tinas name but she quickly realizes that Tina is not there. She thinks that maybe Tina just needed some alone time to think about what happened and maybe she left a note saying where she would be. She walks into the bedroom to check the nightstand for a note when something shiny catches her eye. There on Tinas pillow is her commitment ring. She slowly reaches over and picks up Tinas ring. She clutches it in her left hand, moves her hand up close to her heart and begins to cry.

Bette (talking to an empty room): Oh, God Tina what have I done to you? What have I done to us?

Bette is really crying now but stops when she hears a noise coming from inside the house.
She prays that it is Tina and walks out of the bedroom.

Bette (calling out): Tina? Baby is that you?

Bette is disappointed because she finds Kit standing in the kitchen holding a bouquet of flowers.

Kit (seeing Bette): Hey, baby sister. I knocked but no one answered. I wanted to drop these off (holds up the flowers) for you. I wanted you to know how proud I am of you. I thought maybe you and Tina might still be sleeping and I (stops talking as she realizes that Bette has been crying) Bette? Whats wrong? Why have you been crying?

Bette says nothing. Tears start rolling down her face. She is thinking how can I admit what I have done to anyone.

Kit (realizing that Bette had called Tinas name earlier): Where is Tina?

Bette (quietly): She left me.

Kit: Thats crazy! You must have it wrong because she wouldnt leave you. She loves you too much.

Bette (opening her hand to show Kit Tinas ring): She left me.

Kit (pulling Bette into a hug): Im so sorry, baby girl.

Kit held Bette while she cried and waited for Bette to tell her why Tina left her. When Bette didnt open up, Kit started to press for information.

Kit: Bette what happened? It must be big, because I think I know Tina well enough to say she wouldnt just up and leave you on a whim.

Bette (avoiding Kits eyes and not wanting to answer Kits questions): Lets go into the living room and sit down.

Kit: Okay. But I want an answer when we do.

They walk into the living room and sit down side by side on the sofa. Bette is still holding Tinas ring in her left hand and she is looking at both rings when she begins to tell Kit the truth.

Bette: Im not sure where to begin.

Kit: Why dont you just tell me why Tina left you?

Bette (taking in a deep breath whispers): Because I was having an affair with Candace and Tina found out.

Kit: What did you say? I couldnt have heard that right!

Bette: You heard what I said.

Kit: Damn! Why the ***** would you do that?

Bette (flinching at Kits words and starts to cry again): I dont know. I havent figured out why it happened myself.

Kit (putting her arm around Bette): Im sorry. I shouldnt have said that. So this thing with Candace, are you in love with her?

Bette (looking a little surprised at Kits words): God NO! That much I do know. I love Tina! She means everything to me. I hurt her so badly. Jesus, how could I have done that to her, to us? I wouldnt blame her if she never wanted to see me again.

Kit: Is that what you want? You want Tina to be gone from your life?

Bette: Its what I deserve!

Kit: Thats not what I asked. Do you want Tina out of your life?

Bette (vehemently): Of course not! I love her and want her with me forever.

Kit: If that is true then you have got several things to workout. First you have to figure out what went wrong and why the affair with Candace happened. Secondly, you have to figure out how you can get Tina back. It is not going to be easy but Ive seen you in action when there is something you really want. Youve got to figure out what went wrong and forgive yourself and then get Tina to forgive you. It will be no easy task to get Tina to forgive you but if anyone can do it you can.

Bette: Do you honestly think I can ever get Tina to forgive me?

Kit: I just know that I have seen the love that you two have for each other. It is like I told you before, its almost like God made the two of you to find each other. I think that it is going to be hard for Tina to let that love go. But you are going to have to make sure that she doesnt.

Bette (hugging Kit): Thanks! Thank you for being here for me.

Kit: Hey we havent always acted like sisters but that is what sisters are for. (She looks at her watch)I am sorry but I really have to go now but I want you to promise me you will call me for anything, anytime.

Bette (kissing Kit on the cheek): I promise.

Kit leaves and Bette goes into the bedroom . She walks straight over to her jewelry box and digs until she finds a chain necklace. She takes Tinas ring and puts it on the chain and puts it around her neck. She fingers Tinas ring and wonders how Tina is and where she is. She cant stop thinking about what had happened the night before. She decides that she has to find out where Tina is because she needs to see her. Deep down she knows it is too soon but her heart wont let her be sensible. As she showers it hits her where Tina probably is.

Bette (thinking to herself): Alices? Of course she would go to Alices. How is Alice going to react if I show up there? It doesnt matter, I have to see Tina.

Tina is sleeping in the bedroom and Alice is working on her article when Alice hears a knock on the door. Alice goes over and opens the door to find Bette standing there.

Alice (looking a little angry): Bette, I dont think that you should be here.

Bette: Tinas here isnt she?

Alice (pondering her answer): Yeah, she is here.

Bette: Then I should be here. I need to see her. I need to make sure she is alright.

Alice (sarcastically): Its a little late for that, isnt it? Shes devastated!

Bette just stands there with tears running down her face. What can she say? She knows she has caused Tina unbearable pain. She just looks at Alice with this help me look on her face.

Alice (feeling some sympathy for Bette): Look, I dont know what happened exactly because Tina hasnt been able to talk about it. I just dont think that she can handle seeing you right now. Besides I just got her to finally lie down and try and get some sleep.

Bette (pleading): Please Alice I just want to see her. I promise I wont wake her up. I just need to see her.

Alice (debating with herself and finally gives in): Okay. But you have to promise that you will not wake her up!

Alice and Bette walk into the bedroom where Tina is lying on the bed asleep.

Bette: God she is beautiful! I just want to go over and hold her but I know I cant and she wouldnt want me to either.

Alice (raising her voice): If you feel this way, then why is Tina sleeping in my bedroom instead of at home in your bed?

Tinas eyes are now open. The sound of Alices raised voice woke her up. She sees Bette and Alice standing there. No one says anything or moves for a few seconds.

Alice (moving towards Tina): Im sorry I didnt mean to wake you up.

Tina (looking only at Alice): Its okay.

Bette (moving a little closer to Tina): Hi. Im sorry that we woke you but I had to see you. I had to make sure that you were safe and alright.

Tina (quietly because she is just too tired to be angry right now): What do you want me to say Bette? Im safe but that is about it.

Alice thinks that they need to be alone so she makes an excuse to leave the room.

Alice: I need to get back to work on my article. Tina if you need me you know where I am.

Alice gives Bette a look that says you will answer to me if you upset her anymore.

Bette walks over to Tina and reaches out to touch Tina.

Tina (pulling back): Please dont touch me.

Bette (pulls her hand back and starts to cry): Tina I know it is too soon and too painful right now for us to talk about what happened but you have to know I love you and only you.

Tina (tears coming from her eyes): Please Bette not now.

Bette: Okay, I am going to go for now but I want you to know I dont want this to be the end for us. I am willing to do what ever it takes for us to work this out. That includes any kind of therapy or counseling you want. Will you please at least consider it?

Tina: Im in no shape to make any decisions right now.

Bette: I will give you all the time you need.

Bette started to leave but turned and went back towards Tina

Bette: Tina wouldnt you rather be at home?

Tina (now with anger in her voice): NO!

Bette: I just thought that you should be at home rather than staying here. If you dont want me there then I could probably stay with Kit. You are also going to need some money. I want you to take what you need.

Tina: Im not sure that is my home anymore. Besides, there would be too many memories there that I am not prepared to deal with.

Bette (her heart breaking at Tinas words): I understand. I know you dont want to hear it but I love you.

With that Bette turned and walked out of the bedroom. She was crying so she just walked out of the apartment and didnt even stop to say goodbye to Alice. Tina was in the bedroom crying. Bette was standing outside of Alices apartment crying. Both of them are lost in their thoughts of each other but mostly lost without each other and wondering if they can find what they have lost.