Tina felt more resolved than ever to rebuild her life and hopefully put Bette behind her.

She had been hurt too many times in the past few weeks and she just couldnt cope without having some form of control.

She decided to work again and contacted Oscar before beginning to properly straighten out her life.

Looking for an apartment, Tina surprised Alice with this move and had to convince her friend that she would be ok by herself.

Nonetheless Alice insisted on helping her out and recommended a lawyer for her financial and legal situations.

With Alice and Dana helping her look for an apartment she found one soon enough but she was a little discouraged by her lack of financial security.

Dreading having to call Bette about their joint account, she put off the call until she was able to obtain a job as director at the newly opened centre, where she could also start her own projects.

Having been surprised by the warm welcome she had at her workplace, she quickly found out that she had been requested for the job despite the many more-qualified people available.

The fact that she had been able to get a job that quickly was quite surprising but Tina didnt question this turn of luck.

Meeting with the sponsors of the centre, she quickly impressed them with her management of the day-to-day programs that the centre offered.

Feeling good about her job and her stability so far she decided that she needed to have a long overdue discussion with Bette.

Having met with the lawyer earlier in the week she headed out to their first meeting with Bette.


Seeing Bette for the first time in weeks since the incident at The Planet she was surprised at the frailty Bette emanated even with her pristine appearance.

As the meeting progressed Tina was shocked at the terms her lawyer wouldnt accept but also her tenacity and agressiveness.


“It’s due your client’s inability to stay faithful that this situation was brought about, why shouldn’t she pay?” Sandra sneered. “Afterall she wanted to play… didn’t she???”


But what surprised her more was that Bette wasnt fighting any of it, sure Bettes lawyer, who looked vaguely familiar, was fighting the demands but it wasnt the same.



Did Bette really not care?

Was Bette so far over her that nothing mattered?

That she didnt matter?



Looking at Bette closely she saw a deep-seated exhaustion in her eyes, ones that seemed to harden once they sensed her scrutiny.
But despite these walls Tina still saw clearly, after all she had spent 7 years with her.

Scheduling another meeting Tina realised that despite having spent an hour or so in the same room she had barely spoken a word to Bette.

She didnt know what hurt more, the obvious distance between them or the complete isolation she felt from Bette.

Watching Bettes lawyer help her into her car and drive off she couldnt help the flare of pain it brought to even think of them in any other terms.







Bette was lost in a daze ever since that first phone call she received from Tinas lawyer.

‘Lounging around her pool, Bette watched the bright smiles of its current occupants that were splashing around.

She couldnt help the smile that crept on her face as she heard the squeals mixed with the cheerful laughter that seemed to be lost in the days vastness.

Hearing the phone ring, she answered

Hello!

Hello, May I please speak to Ms Bette Porter, Please?

Thats me, how can I help you?

Ms Porter, This is Sandra Burns of Gallagher & Burns. I would like to inform you that Ms Kennard has requested a separation and


Bette didnt hear anymore, she was lost, Tina separationDamn, it hurt. Tina didnt even call her or tell her anything, she just hired a lawyer.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the wet occupants who entered the house. Leo walked closer to Bette as tears began to fall.


What is it? Leo asked concerned

Tina, she hired a lawyer and she wants wants a Bette couldnt finish and just cried. Holding onto her tightly Leo reached for the phone.

Hello!

Hello! Is Ms Porter ok? I need the information soon before…

Leo interrupted the woman


Im Leo Mc Coy of Mc Coy and associates and will be representing Ms Porter during this case. Call my office on Monday and all details will be sorted then. Thank you and good bye.


Leo hung up the phone and just held Bette waiting for the sobs to stop; they didnt and just continued until Bette passed out from the mere exhaustion of her body.


Placing Bette on the coach, Leo tried to untangle Bettes grip but it held firm and wouldnt budge.


Hearing a small plea from Bettes lips,
Stay
Leo lied down with Bette, stayed and watched over her resting form.




The days leading up to the meeting saw Bette staying home, not moving from bed or working like crazy on some work at the gallery.

The day of the meeting Bette was a nervous wreck and like always, only seemed to calm down when she was around Cassie.

Having dropped Cassie off, Leo and Bette went to the meeting only to come out an hour or so later having made basically no progress.



Leo was inwardly cursing Tinas lawyer for her stubbornness and inability to see the bigger picture.

Bette had flinched at Sandra’s bold comments but said nothing and was barely present during the meeting, with resignation written all over her.

But Leo was able to observe Tinas expressions during the meeting especially when she was looking over at Bette who was lost in her own world.

Not wanting it to end like where it was heading, Leo wanted so badly to just shake Bette until she could see the here and now and start fighting again for the only thing that mattered.

If anything just her own behaviour should have alerted Bette to her miserable existence without Tina.

But …

Leo couldnt do anything unless Bette wanted it, that was one mistake that was not gonna repeat itself.

Tina was an enigma to Leo and vice versa but Leo knew that Tina still cared deeply about Bette and was definitely still in love with her.

Bette was no doubt she hung up on Tina and was completely in love with her.



But could they look past their own pain and grief long enough to see each other?


Leo hoped for some form of miracle.




Bette stayed in her haze for a bit longer…

‘Tina’s probably better off without me anyways… i just seem to hurt her..dammit’

Until she was forced back into the living world by a scream of horror.

Her hand brushed the other side of the bed only to feel the cold sheets, Leo had slipped out again.

But the sun shone and Bette was confused until the scream was repeated.

Rushing out of her room and following the sound Bette found Cassie crying in her bed with sweat soaking her pyjamas.

Cleaning Cassie up and cheering her up with a journey to the park.

Bette got ready for the rest of the day. Oddly enough Bette seemed completely energised and relatively happy.

Foreign feelings that she only had been given glimpses of during the past few months.

Dispelling her thoughts as they began to trace the recent past, she immersed herself in her new found energy and happiness and took Cassie to the park.

Starting the car, Bette ensured that Cassie was securely fastened before fixing herself up and began to drive, absent-mindedly taking in the passing landscape, Bette heard Cassie excited squeals and smiled.

A heartfelt smile that has been long absent from Bettes lips. Cassie exuberant mood was catching and Bette felt herself lifted by these simple emotions.

Focused as she was on her passenger, she didnt see the car looming closer until Cassie screamed.

Bettes head hit the steering wheel as she felt the car slide along the road.

Before the darkness could claim her Bette looked over at Cassie only to see her crying.

Slowly raising her hand she reached out towards Cassie despite the pain that radiated through her body, but her energy failed her and her hand fell short of its target as Bette succumbed to the darkness to hear Cassies yell reverberate in empty space.


MOMMY!


tbc…