“What happened, Kit?” Tina interrupted Kit’s heated outburst with determination. She looked into the older woman’s eyes and saw doubt flash in there.

“It doesn’t matter to you, Tina. You have no business coming here demanding to know what happened to Bette. You left her! You left her for a man remember- and took her baby with you…” The stab of truth left Tina numb.

“I need to know, Kit…” Her eyes were misty and pleading. Kit softened but still holding on to an amount of control over this mess.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. Bette doesn’t remember anymore… It’s better this way. You couldn’t make up your mind before so, don’t go to her telling her things of the past. She doesn’t need that from you right now.” Kit’s defenses came up at the mention of Bette. Tina was speechless. She took the onslaught with silent contemplation.

“Just pretend that- you didn’t know her.” Tina looked up and her tears escaped the corner of her eyes.

“I’ll tell you later…” A promise. She held onto that.

–

“Hey, fatty. What happened to the twins you hooked up with that other time?” Shane choked on her beer and the girls laughed at Alice’s interrogation of Shane’s endless hook ups. Bette was so at ease with the conversation. She knew Shane was gay and Alice dabbles a bit too. I guess I’m gay too-or dabbled a bit. Bette thought to herself remembering Helena with a small smile tugging her lips. She turned to Tina and caught her staring. She smiled and they laughed together just as Shane began chasing Alice around the room for reciting her one night stands from her past. Bette had wanted to talk to her privately since she got back from the kitchen but Tina looked so distracted and remained quiet the entire time. They would consistently look into each others eyes from time to time as Alice and Shane kidded around.

“Come on guys, dinner is ready… Don’t you be letting my efforts go to waste now… What in the world are you- chasing around?” Kit joined them wearing a pink apron. The wonderful smell of pasta lingered in her presence. That immediately caught the crazy duo’s attentions and it wasn’t before long that they sat on the floor and couch each with plates of pasta.