“Been there, done that, got a t-shirt…wait, I didn’t get a t-shirt. I should get a t-shirt,” Alice’s eyes brightened at the new idea that popped into her head.

“Al, focus,” Tina pleaded as she continued to read.

”Oh, and did I mention that Christina is heavily pregnant? Very pregnant and very beautiful. She looks great. Spending time with her has been such a wondrous and emotional experience. As time passes, I’m no longer interrupted every minute by friends and family with questions about my supposed kidnapping and disappearance. Christina and I can finally enjoy more of each other’s company. We have been walking together in the mornings, sipping tea in the afternoons after painting and reading to each other in the evenings. It feels like old times…”

“Seriously?” Tina stopped reading and looked at Alice. “Is she deliberately trying to make me jealous?”

The more Tina read, the more anxious she was getting.

“Look, in the beginning she writes…’I miss you tremendously. As I lay down to sleep I whisper, ‘I love you, Tina’, hoping that the breeze will carry it away so you can hear me. I dream of holding you in my arms and kissing your lips until we both can’t breathe anymore. I hope you will read this and know how much I love you…’ and now, there’s just day-to-day stuff and Christina this, Christina that…listen to this.

‘I decided to confront my mother and I wish I can write more but I have to run. Christina needs me. She is getting so close to giving birth that I don’t want to be away from her more than necessary at the fear of missing something so important. I’ll finish the story in the next letter. I bid you farewell.’ …You see what I mean?”

“Tina…”

“Oh Alice, don’t you see? It’s like she is changing. The longer she stays there the further away she getting from me, not only physically but emotionally as well.”

“Tina…”

“I’m afraid that she really doesn’t care being away anymore because she has her beloved Christina back.”

“Tina, stop for a second…you assume too much. You have to trust Bette and you have to trust that your love is strong enough to overcome centuries.”

“What if it’s not as strong anymore? Distance along changes people and we have time between us, as well. I just feel as if something is wrong but I don’t know where to look.”

Tina sighed and opened the last letter from the pile.

“…There comes time in everyone’s life when everything is so abundantly clear. When there’s no doubts, no regrets, no hesitation…nothing but the truth. Today, after reading Christina’s diary, was that moment of clarity for me. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and what I needed to do. I know I love you more than I could ever love another person but…”

Tina turned the page over and froze. Alice looked at her friend as the silence filled the room. Tina stared at the enormous inky stain that covered the rest of the letter with panic written all over her face. “…but what? What are you trying to say, Bette? But I’ve decided to stay with Christina…but I don’t love you as much anymore…but I can’t come back right now…but WHAT!!??”

She cried like a wounded animal with such agony and pain that left no doubt of what the rest of her life would be without Bette. “God damn you, Bette. What am I supposed to do now?”