“Hey, Bette, I’ll be here whenever you need me. I’ll be unavailable during a few hours every day, but evenings, if you need me, I’ll be here for you and Angie, just as Shane will be.” Alice says and looks over at Shane who nods her head.

Bette starts to cry again. Putting her head in her hands. Shane walks over and takes a seat on the other side of Bette and both she and Alice envelop Bette in a hug.

“We’ll get you through this.” Shane whispers.

They sit in silence for a few minutes until Bette calms down again.

“Have you told Tina?” Alice asks carefully.

“No, and I don’t plan to either.” Bette replies.

“Can I ask why not? She would want to know. She still cares for you.” Alice states.

“She’s broken my heart Alice. She’s chosen another woman to be her partner. I don’t need that around me at this stage of my life. I need to focus solely on getting better and to be there for Angie. Having Tina here, will bring me down, because I know I can’t have her. I need to be strong and relaxed so I can fight this thing and having Tina here…. The constant lump in my chest will be more prominent than it is now.” Bette says and looks at Alice. “I have asked Shane not to call her, and I have asked Angie not to tell her.” Bette adds with tears in her eyes.

“But, if we see Angie suffering or we feel we are out of our depth with her well-being. I have told Bette that I will not hesitate to call Tina and tell her. But for now, we keep this between us.” Shane explains to Alice. “We’ll have to be there for Angie as well as Bette. They both need us now more than ever.” Shane adds.

“Okay, I understand.” Alice agrees.

They keep talking a few hours more and it is soon bedtime. Shane gives Jordi a lift home, since she had taken the bus to school and Angie today. The give both Bette and Angie a hug goodbye and with Bette promising to call whenever she needs them. That goes for Angie too.

“You guys are not alone in this okay?” Shane says before the final goodbye.