”Well we can’t just ignore the possibility of a fallout of epic proportions if that had gone any other way. It could have been catastrophic.”  Bette hoped her tone conveyed the gravity she intended—a catastrophe not in terms of destruction, but more an end to whatever situation the two women were entangled in.
  

”Catastrophic for who Bette? For you?” Tina rallied. The unsaid words hung between them: Or for me, who has someone to lose in this situation?

Bette felt tears spring to her eyes at the reminder, and through sheer determination she willed the tears to stay put. She could feel them falling back into their bickering, each taking cheap shots at the other until someone broke. She took a deep breath, feeling her chest gently rise and fall against her arms.

”Listen…”
  

”Look,” Tina interjected at the same time. ”That’s not what I meant. I just… It’s complicated.” she continued, filling the silence that Bette had left. Bette paused to imagine how she would have responded in the past – feistily, probably – and aimed for the polar opposite.

”I just think that we need to be more … careful,” she said calmly, pinching the bridge of her nose tightly.
  

”Look, I’m sorry -” Tina started.
  

”Don’t. Listen, I have to get off now, I have a few calls to make this afternoon,” Bette interrupted Tina’s apology with a white lie, shifting her weight and brushing away a few stray crumbs from her trousers.
  

”Come see me later?” Tina asked, a subtle note of hope in her voice. This would be the moment for a healthy, sane person to set boundaries, Bette thought to herself. A checkpoint for self-preservation. She moved the phone away from her ear, considering ending the call without answering as she slowly made her way back inside.

”Of course,” she whispered into the mouthpiece before ending the call.

***

Bette cut the car engine and stepped out onto the sidewalk, her loose trousers rippling in the gentle breeze. She popped open the trunk, retrieving Angie’s overnight bag, but before she could grasp it, Angie bounced over and grabbed it.

”Have you got everything you need?” Bette asked as they made their way across the courtyard towards the gate. ”I could grab a few more things for you. Did Alice mention any snacks?”