“FuckI’m so sorry.” Bette sobbed, grabbing fistfuls of Kit’s blouse.

“It’s okay Bette. Dana said Tina was fine, so she’s fine. It’s probably nothing.”

“It’s not nothing and it’s all my fault.”

“How do you know? You don’t even know what happened.”

“It’s because of me, I know it is.”

Kit didn’t respond after that, not sure what to say to make her sister calm down. All she could do was hug Bette while she cried.

————————————————

“Fucking finally!” Alice exclaimed as she burst through the hospital doors and into the Los Angeles night.

Shane stretched as Tina examined and picked at the gauze wrapped around her hand. “How long were we there?” Tina asked, still playing with her dressing.

“Six and a half fucking hours! I mean, are they kidding! You could’ve bled to death!” Alice said as she walked toward her car backwards, facing Shane and Tina, who were lagging behind.

“Yeah well, I’m sure they would’ve gotten to us sooner if you hadn’t blown up at that nurse.” Tina mumbled.

“She deserved it!”

“You called her, and I repeat, ‘A fucking, dumb ass bitch with the I.Q. of a piss ant.’” Shane said.

“Who moved slower than your grandmotherand she’s dead.” Tina added, still distracted.

“Well, six and a half hours!” Alice shouted. “Was I wrong?”

Shane rolled her eyes and shook her head as all three got into Alice’s car. “So,” Alice began, drumming on the steering wheel. “What do you guys wanna do? We could probably still catch Dana and Ton-Ton at the restaurant.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Shane answered and then looked at Tina.

“I’m kinda tired.” Tina said. “Could you just drop me off at your place?”

“Yeah. Are you sure?” Alice asked, looking at Tina from the rearview mirror.

Tina nodded. “Yeah. Thanks for staying with me guys. Thanks for everything today. You’reyou’re too good to me.”

“NahI think we’re just right.” Alice answered and Shane agreed, smiling.

——————————————

Bette drove up to the front of her house, but didn’t cut off the engine. “You go ahead.” She told Kit.

“What are you doing?” Kit asked, eyeing her sister suspiciously.

“I have to do something.”

Kit looked at Bette for a second before sighing. Grabbing the food and getting out of the car, Kit looked into the window and said, “Now don’t you go do anything stupid Bette.”

“I won’t.” Bette said. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

Kit backed away from the car and Bette pulled out again, speeding off. “Good luck.” She whispered, watching Bette’s car disappear.

———————————

Shane jumped out of Alice’s car and let Tina out, giving her a tight hug before jumping back in. “Are you sure you don’t wanna come with us?” Alice asked from the driver’s seat and Tina bent down to look at her.

“I’m sure. Thanks again Shane for showing me your” Tina didn’t know what to call it.  Junkyard?  Hideaway?  Secret place? 

“Anytime.” Shane nodded, smiling.

“I’ll call you okay?” Alice asked and Tina nodded, standing up and backing away from the car. She watched it go before heading for Alice’s apartment.

She went inside and took the elevator up, too tired to climb the stairs. She sighed in exhaustion as she stepped out onto Alice’s floor, looking down as she rubbed her tense neck. It had been a long, long day. All she wanted to do was lay down and sleep.

She barely noticed the figure standing up in front of her, but stopped dead in her tracks when it called to her.

“Tina.”

Tina looked up, all of the air escaping her lungs as her eyes met another’s.

“Bette.”

To be continued