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Great Unexpectations Chapter 31
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Tina put her arm around Bette’s shoulder and pulled her close. Bette responded by laying her head on Tina’s shoulder and sobbing. "Bette, Faye knows that you’ve done everything you can. She’s so grateful. I can see it in her eyes when she looks at you. She is. And we’re not going to give up, okay? Even if Faye…" Tina could not go on for fear of her own sobs. After the minute it took her to get her emotions under control again, she continued. "Well, anyway…we’re not giving up."
Richard came to the door and craned his head outside. His red eyes and quivering chin not even attempting to hide themselves. "She’d like to see you ladies." Bette looked at Tina with dispirited eyes. "You go, Tina. I’ll be there in a minute." Tina kissed Bette on the forehead and looked deep into her eyes. "Ok, babe. Don’t be long." Bette nodded. As soon as Tina disappeared into Faye’s room with Richard Bette let her head fall into her hands and began to sob uncontrollably. Cora, where in the fuck are you? Bette wiped her tears and searched in vain for her words. How do you tell a dying woman you’ve failed? That her daughter is lost? That she’ll never see her again? Bette stood, straightened her clothes, and looked to the heavens. Lord forgive me for what I’m about to do. She put on her best stiff upper lip and went to the door.
Inside the room she found Richard staring out the window with his back to Faye and Tina, his hands in his trouser pockets. Tina was sitting next to Faye’s bed, holding her hand and speaking lowly. It didn’t matter so much that Bette couldn’t hear what Tina was saying to Faye. It was evident that Tina, in her Tina way, was somehow comforting her. Faye’s appearance was daunting. Her skin now paler than she’d ever seen and Bette realized that it had probably always been that pale, but cleverly disguised by make-up. Tina looked up and gave a failed attempt at a smile for Bette. She stood up to allow Bette her chair. Bette took it swiftly and held Faye’s hand in hers. Faye smiled as a tear freed itself and ran down the pale chin. "Bette", she said.
"Shh, Faye. Save your strength", Bette said softly. She held her breath while deciding. Am I really going to do this? In an unkind situation, it was the kindest thing she could do. She leaned close to Faye and whispered. "I have news, Faye. We’ve found her. She just called me. She saw one of our posters. She’s here Faye. We’ve found her." Tina, standing behind Bette, placed her warm hands on Bette’s shoulders and bowed her head. Richard, still looking out the window, took one hand from his pocket and held it to his face. A tiny spark of light illuminated Faye’s eyes. "Cora?", she said weakly. Bette nodded and wiped a tear from her eye. "She’s here, Faye. And she’s on her way. She wanted me to tell you that she loves you. She loves you, Faye, and she wants to come home. Ok? So you have to hold on. She’s coming."
"She’s coming home", Faye repeated faintly. Another tear streamed down her face.
"Thank you Bette. Thank you." Faye’s frail hand barely registered a squeeze on Bette’s but it was all of the strength she had to offer. She smiled. Her final smile. "Thank you." Bette gathered all of her strength and returned the smile. It was the last thing Faye ever saw. The monitor that Faye was hooked up to began to beep and finally sounded with the long tone. The flat line. Faye’s opened eyes stared at Bette, a hint of her smile still showing. The nurse quickly entered the room to attend to the monitor. Bette leaned back to allow her room to examine Faye. She remained numbly in her seat while the nurse put her hand over Faye’s eyes and closed the lids. The nurse turned off the monitor, quietly extended her condolences, and left the room as quickly as she’d entered. Bette, thankful to be seated, noticed white spots in her vision and wondered if Tina saw them also. Tina, who’d never let her hands drop from Bette’s shoulders began to feel her lover’s body go limp. She held on while Bette fainted, not letting her fall out of the chair. And wept.
TBC.
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Well… I guess Bette did what she thought was kindest. There was a lot of humor this chapter… it balanced how it ended nicely. But I’ll admit, I’d hoped that there would be some last-minute miracle towards the end. I’m very glad to see you back with such a good chapter red… but… poor Faye. :( (Did I just type that?!) Great chapter, and p.s. the only eggs I have will be used for early nog. Cheers for the post red
No worries about the hiatus. I’m just grateful for the update. What an emotional rollercoaster. I loved the laugh-out-loud humor of Alice’s death-defying gamble with Bette’s car and the embarrassing revelation of Bette’s ABBA fixation. At the other extreme, of course, was Faye’s death. And here Bette took a gamble because what if Faye had lingered on? Bette clearly sensed the end was imminent and her assurances about Cora were an act of kindness. I expect Bette and Tina will work extra hard to make those assurances a reality.
Glad that you are back. It is okay to be a slacker. Sometimes you just have to do it. I loved the banter between the gang and of course Angie’s stubbornness (just like her mother Bette). Bette did what she thought was right and for Faye it was. I hope that Bette is going to be okay.
Owwww, very painful
Red, One off your best chapter by far!!!!! I did hope that they would find Cora befor Faye died, but please let then find her. Thank you PPS
Wow, redhorse I don’t think that there’s a dry eye left in the house. I never thought I’d feel this for Faye Buckley! Can’t wait for your next update to this story.
Hey Red, Welcome Back and you came back with one heck of a chapter, eh? **The Eh is for our neighbors to the North*** The first chapter of this story I wanted Tina to kick Faye’s ass until she had her in tears & now….I have tears in my eyes at the compassion & kindness Bette showed Faye at the end. Your story telling is descriptive and brilliant. On a side note, thanks for mentioning Traverse City. When people think of MI they only think of the negative stereotype that is associated with Detroit. They don’t realize how many beautiful cities we have across the state. And Traverse City is absolutley lovely. PS.
Red, you are too kind but as we both know, it was and is all you baby! I have to admit, I wasn’t going to read the whole chapter but I just couldn’t stop myself. Excellent as always, although I think you are channeling your inner IC with this turn of events. Where have all of the happy endings gone? LOL. Now, post again!!
Red, you are a very talented writer! This chpater and the whole story are brillant! Great humor and lightness well balanced with the drama. I think many of us would act like Bette did, what do you call it, a kind lie? And hopefully it’s not a lie, just a matter of time before the exact same result… Shame that Faye couldn’t see her daughter one last time… I agree with jb621, Detroit and Michigan are a very beautiful place. I was there a few years back and was amazed by how nice it is! Thanks for mentionning it. Can’t wait to see what will happen now. Please post soon. And thanks!
HEy red, That was awesome. Sometimes doing the worng thing for the right reason is the best that you have to offer. I do believe that giving Faye hope in her final few moments was the proper response from Bette. Sweet to see that Tina was there as Bette’s tower of strength. As for the gang and the car and puppy debacle, how hysterical was it. Just the perfect light relief against the darkness and sorrow to follow. As for Richard’s lashing out, it just showed his frustration at all that was going on. I do hope that the gals will complete their quest and find Cora. More please whenever you get the chance. This tale is an emotional rollercoster ride and so worthwhile. Please continue soon. Many, many thansk from Your Loyal Fan.
wow that was so intense at the end…thx for posting, very moving tale…balanced by humour…get ange the dog…
I write this with tears in my eyes…..so sad. I was hoping Faye would live to see her daughter. Bette did a good thing. She’s so much more a softie than she lets on. Great chapter! PPS!!
Incredible! Strong,emotional,humourous – wow, what a rollercoaster. Will wait patiently for the next chapter of this wonderful story – whenever you’re ready.
Damn this is sad!