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Tina was driving and she couldn’t control the laughter that infected her body. She laughed and cried uncontrollably. She was truly happy. It took so much to get there but it felt so good she couldn’t contain it. She had to share it with someone, she had to give someone this great news, when she looked up and realized where she was she called Alice.

"Tina? Sweetie I got Dana on the other line hold on let me…"

"I did it Alice! I let her go!"

"Tina what did you…"

"I’m around the corner from your hotel are you there?" Tina interrupted.

"Yea, just blow the horn I’m on my way." Alice threw on some shoes and was racing when she realized Dana was still on hold. "Dana, baby I gotta go, I think Tina killed Vanessa. I’ll call you though." before Dana had a chance to argue she was disconnected. As Alice was coming out the door she saw Tina pull into the parking lot like a mad man. Alice raced down the stairs almost tripping over herself to get there. She quickly hopped in and saw Tina’s face was completely frozen into a smile.

"O.k Tina tell me everything. Where’s the body?"

"Alice…"

"Ok, then where are you taking me?"

"Someplace special to me." Tina was being a bit secretive it was both scary and thrilling to Alice, she’d never seen this side of Tina before. Tina drove for a little while and stopped at the very same spot where she made love to Bette before she left. Tina shut off the car and turned towards Alice and looked into her eyes, she couldn’t believe the amount of happiness that was surging through her.

"Thank you." the look on Alice’s face told Tina she wasn’t sure where she was going with this. "I wanted to thank you for telling me I’m beautiful everyday, telling me you loved me on days when I felt abandoned and always being there for me when I needed to be held. The way you were relentless in helping me to see what you always saw in me, I don’t know it finally took. It’s something about you… your more than a friend you’re the sister I wished I had. And I love you for it. You have no idea how much I love you." Tina finished through tears and saw the tears free falling down Alice’s face. She reached over and wiped them away she grabbed Alice and embraced her for what felt like the first time freely. Tina leaned back and looked at Alice and asked her "Will you take a walk with me? And I promise I’ll tell you everything."

"Yea… uhh, lets go." Alice was still a bit confused. Tina and Alice walked and Tina held Alice’s attention throughout the entire conversation. But Alice needed to know a few things.

"Tina what brought you to this conclusion, don’t get me wrong I love the way you feel now, but sweetie you spent a lot of time being filled with that anger and self doubt, what changed?"

"I know, I know, I was standing there and I was making this list in my head of all the people who loved me. Carmen and Shane were on the list and I’ve only known them for a couple of weeks, but Vanessa wasn’t. She only loved me if I didn’t question her, or if I wasn’t gay, or if I just submitted myself to her way of thinking and I couldn’t do it anymore. She’s just not worth it, ya know. Living with that much hate weighs you down and it’s too tiresome to carry around, ya know. I just couldn’t do it any more."

"So, have you forgiven yourself?" Alice finally understood what Tina was saying and it felt good to have her know what she truly was, a beautiful, kind and caring person who deserved unconditional love.

"I’m starting to. Being here with you helps."

"But being here with Bette cures." Alice joked.

"God, yes. I think she should be apart of what I’m feeling right now. I just have this overwhelming feeling that I’m… loved all the way around. It feels so good." Tina still hadn’t released the smile attached to her face.

"Oh my god I can’t wait to tell her."

"Yea but sweetie your gonna have to. You think you could wait two weeks too tell her?"

Tina flashed a devious smile and said "To tell you the truth…"

TBC……………………