Bette and Tina looked at each other, speaking silently in a language only they could understand. A brief understanding passed between them, and Tina looked at Alice with renewed determination. “We are sure.”

Alice smiled. She knew how important this was to them. “Okay, and while I do think it’s a fantastic idea,” she said finally. “Have you considered the potential consequences of going public with your story?”

Tina and Bette exchanged another look before the brunette spoke up. “We know there will be consequences, Alice. But we’re willing to face them. We have already given too much of ourselves to this industry. We want to be honest about who we are, and we believe that this is the best way to do it.”

“Alright then, let’s do this,” Alice said, smiling. “to start, can you tell me more about your first husband?” she asked.

Bette paused, taking a sip of her tea. “Well, he was an asshole, to put it mildly,” she said with a wry smile. “But in a weird way, he was also the push I needed to leave my father’s authoritative grip and pursue acting.”

Alice’s tensed her jaw. She had briefly heard part of the story, but Bette never shared the details of what went down between her and Coleman. “Really? How did that happen?”

Bette took a deep breath and settled into her chair. Grasping Tina’s hand for comfort. “My father was very controlling,” she began. “He wanted me to attend law school and become a lawyer like him. But I knew that wasn’t what I wanted. I had always loved acting and wanted to pursue it, but I was too scared to stand up to him.”

Alice nodded, understanding the weight of parental expectations all too well.

“When I met my Coleman, he was charismatic and charming,” Bette continued. “He was also an actor, a very bad one at that, but he promised to help me break into the industry. I was young and naive, and I fell for his promises. But as soon as we got married, he became abusive and controlling, just like my father.”

Alice’s expression darkened. “I’m so sorry, Bette.”

Bette shrugged it off. “It’s okay. In a way, it was the push I needed. I couldn’t take it anymore, and I left him. It was the scariest thing I had ever done, but it was also the most liberating. It made me realize that I didn’t have to live my life according to anyone else’s expectations. I could do what I wanted, be who I wanted to be.”

Alice nodded, her eyes shining with admiration. “It takes so much courage to break free like that.”

Bette smiled, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. “It was scary, but it was also exhilarating. It was the beginning of my journey as an artist, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Alice smiled and opened her notebook, “tell me more.”

Damned Coleman Alt.

Bette’s mother had been a chorus girl off-Broadway. She came from a poor neighborhood and quickly fell for Malvin Porter’s charm. He was a way into a better life, a chance for the family she always wanted.

Oh, the lies we tell ourselves. 

Bette was only ten when her mother left. It had been abrupt; there were no hints of unhappiness. At least none than a small child could pick up on.

She blamed herself for years after it happened for not seeing it and for being unable to prevent it. 

She didn’t remember much of her, only that she smelled like cheap lavender perfume and that when Bette used to have nightmares, she would sing to her. Her voice sounded like bells.

Her mother had always dreamt of being famous, and Bette had wanted that for her. She had prayed at night and wished upon all the stars that her mother could make it big and that her dreams would come true.

She stopped wishing upon anything the day she left. 

TBC