“I didn’t have a choice.” She whispered, more to herself than to Kit as if she was justifying her actions to herself.

“What? You? You didn’t have a choice? Come –fucking- on, Tina!”

“I didn’t! She didn’t care! I had to make her care!” Tina was shocked by her own words. Her insecurity at that time was hidden by indifference. But deep down, she was disturbed by Bette’s reaction- or lack thereof- to her sudden attraction towards men.

“When? When did she not care?” Kit was beyond fuming and went on, cutting Tina from rebutting.

“Or was she supposed to beg you again… and again just to fucking let her see her daughter? Her own baby girl… Was she supposed to just accept that…”

“That you just didn’t want her as Angie’s mother anymore? That her job was over?” Her voice was small and cracking laced with sadness thinking about Bette’s situation at that time. Kit regretted not paying more attention to her sister’s inner turmoil then. Maybe just maybe she could’ve knocked some senses into these two.

“You used her… You fucking just used her, Tina! Used her and then dumped her aside after Angie arrived… After she gave her… love-” Kit voice cracked with silent sobs.

“No…. It wasn’t… like that…” The dam of regret cracked and Tina dissolved in tears as well. Was that how Bette felt? Used? She never thought of it that way. She’d never think that Bette would feel used… by her.

Kit stood beside the couch where Tina was now seated as tears covered her cheeks. She watched the love of her sister’s life bending down to rest her head in her hands on her knees. She was tempted to reach out to the devastated woman but refrained from doing so.

“I just… I just want her to know… that- that I’m sorry.” The older woman pursed her lips, desperate to keep her sob in and even out her breath.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Bette. I’m sorry…” Tina kept chanting to herself while rocking her body on the couch. Kit finally couldn’t take the sight anymore and knelt down beside her. She pushed her blonde hair aside.