As Shane started for the bedroom door, Bette moved to it, blocking her way. Shane backed up, jamming her free hand into her pocket and looking away again.

“I just need you to tell me one thingand then I’ll get out of your way.”

Shane nodded silently, reluctantly.

“How bad is she?”

“Pretty badyou broke her heart.” As Shane replied, her voice sad and indignant, she looked up and locked eyes with Bette, and saw nothing but pain and regret. And Shane’s worn heart broke for the second time that week.

“Can I ask you something now?” Shane said, unable to control herself for the moment. She was hurt too. Tina and Bette had a love she could only dream for. She needed to know why it was suddenly gone.

Bette nodded.

“Why did you do it?”

Bette just frowned, shrugging. “I don’t have the answer to that question yet.” A few lone tears made their way down Bette’s face, and she swiped them away as quickly as they came. Clearing her throat, Bette stepped aside and Shane walked past her.

Shane didn’t want to leave Bette like this. At first, she was very angry at Bette for doing what she did. For cheating on Tina with Candace. Most of the anger, however, melted away when Shane saw how sorry Bette looked. The agony of regret had sewn itself into Bette’s form. Threads of anguish floated around her with every movement of her body. She looked scared, hurtlost. Shane wanted to throw her arms around Bette and tell her everything was going to be okay, but she couldn’t. For one thing, Shane had no fucking clue if everything was going to be okay. Also, Bette was the adulterer. Tina was the victim here.

But neither of them deserved this much pain, especially after all they’ve been through.

As Shane gripped the front door handle and opened the door, Bette called to her. “Shane?”

“Yeah Bette?”

“Would you tell Tina I love her?”

Shane nodded. “Uhyeah.” Then she left, breathing out nervous air and muttering, “Fuck, fuck, fuck” as she walked to her car.

Bette went to the kitchen and began to pour herself her third generous glass of wine. She knew that Shane wasn’t going to tell Tina that Bette loved her. She knew that at this moment, that would be the last thing Tina would want to hear. She just felt that she needed to tell someone other than herself.

To Be Continued…