“What are you gonna do?” James’ voice came over the phone, curious and non-threatening as ever.

“What I have to do.” Bette replied with an elongated, melodramatic sigh.

“Which would be…?” James prodded cautiously.

“Take care of my child, and try not to be disgusted with my girlfriend. She loves me, I know she does, I just… I don’t know if I love her anymore. All this shit she’s put me through…” Bette let out a cynical laugh, letting it hang in the air.

“Ouch.” After a pause, James added, “Bette, can I give you my honest opinion?”

“Sure.” Bette laughed, shaking her head, “any advice would be nice right now.”

“I think you should definitely stay together, but… if she wants to go back to men, well, maybe try an open relationship? She can get her dick elsewhere, and you can get your pussy other places, too. It could be, well… fun?” James was incredibly unsure, knowing his boss would fire him on the spot if she was offended by his comment.

“Maybe.” Bette replied, honestly thinking over the option. “Listen, James, I’ll call you later, I need to take care of some business with Helena Peabody, all right?”

“Oh. Okay.” James stuttered in response.

“Bye.” And she was gone.

“I don’t want you to think that I fight with you because I don’t love you. So I wanted you to know that I love you with all my heart, and… And I wish you were here right now so I could hold you. It’s cold out he- BEEP I fight with you because I don’t love you. So I wanted you to know that I love you with all my heart, and… And I wish you were here right now so I could hold you. It’s co- BEEP I love you with all my heart- BEEP I love you with all my heart, and… And I wish you were here right now so I could hold you. It’s cold out here. Snowy and everything. Would you believe I’ve never seen snow in my life? Well, it snowed a little in Texas, but never anything like this. A slight dusting, maybe, but here, there’s mounds of it everywhere! I’ll take a picture of it on my phone and send it to you. I think that I’m gonna go back inside now, it’s getting fucking freezing out here and I’m probably going to get cut off by your answering machine sometime soon. I love you, and I miss you. Bye.” Carmen finally shut her phone, wishing she could hear the words in person. She missed Shane’s husky voice telling her she was loved, needed, wanted. She missed being told she was going to be taken, enveloped in those strong arms, and fucked senseless. She missed Shane. And she had had enough. She took her phone and switched it to camera mode, turning the lens to face her. She hit the middle button so it would start recording and begun to speak.