“Okay… Okay, I get it,” Shane said. “But its your apartment.” She let go of her arm. “I’ll go.”
“Thank you.” Alice said quietly.

Shane walked out of apartment building, her mind a mess of confusion.
She stepped onto the sidewalk outside. It was raining, and she suddenly
remembered that she hadn’t driven there, Alice had. She lifted up the
collar of her shirt and shoved her hands in her pants pockets. It was
going to be a long walk home.

Bette/Tina’s House –

Bette was sitting on her porch watching the rain.

“Hey…” said a familair voice.
Bette set her drink down and stood. Shane was standing at the steps of her house, her clothes and hair soaking wet.

“Hey,” Bette said. “Its pouring out, get over here.”

Shane walked up the stairs and out of the rain.

“Here.” Bette took her blanket off and wrapped it around Shane. “You could catch a cold.”
“Thanks,” Shane said, her body shaking slightly.

“What were you doing out in the rain?” Bette asked, her voice scolding.

“I don’t know, seemed like as good a time as any for a walk.”

Bette frowned. “Sit,” she said, pointing at the table and set of chairs in the corner. “I’m going to get you a hot cup of tea.”

“Bette, you don’t have to – ”

“Sit,” Bette said again.

Shane knew not to argue with the older woman and did as she was told.
Bette came out of the house a few minutes later. She handed the
steaming cup of tea to Shane and sat down.
“Thanks,” Shane said, taking a sip of the hot beverage. ” What are you still doing up?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” Bette said. “You?”

“Same kind of.”

“Something on your mind?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” Shane said, the kiss with Alice replaying in her head.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Bette asked.

Shane was quiet for a moment. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” Bette straightened, showing Shane she had her undivided attention.

“If you hadn’t met Tina, do you think – I mean, you and Alice…”

“You want to know if I think Alice and I would have had a future together?” Bette asked.
Shane nodded. “Yeah.”

Bette gave it about two seconds thought. “No,” she said. “Alice and I
were doomed from the start. Don’t get me wrong, I loved her – I still
love her, but as cliché as it sounds, I was never in love with her. I
always felt like I was waiting for someone else to come along, just
biding my time. Why do you ask?”