‘Do you think we could talk a little first?’

‘All right.’

They moved to the living room.  Tina sat on the sofa, noticing Bette’s hesitation she motioned for her to sit next to her.

‘I want to say something and I’d like for you to let me finish before you say anything.  Can you do that?’

Bette nodded.

‘When I was here the other day I had to leave because I realized we need each other to get through this.  I just wasn’t sure how we were going to be able to do that.  I’ve lost my wife and my best friend.  I need to be able to talk to my best friend right now.  I’ve thought a lot about it and I’ve only been able to come up with two options.  One, we go our separate ways and call it quits.  Two, we help each other get through this and see where it takes us.  There is a good possibility that we will still go our separate ways even if we decide on the latter.  Right now I can’t really see a future for us.  Losing trust in someone you thought would always be there is difficult to repair.’

Bette had sat quietly, listening to every word, noticing every expression as Tina spoke.  She was determined to do as Tina asked and let her finish.

‘Thanks for not interrupting.  We could eat now if you want a little time to think.’

‘No, I’ve thought a lot lately about what I want and I would like the chance to work through this with you.  I’ve lost my best friend too and right now I think I need her back before I can even begin to know how to go about getting my wife back.  Unlike you I do see a future for us; it is the only thing I’ve had to cling to for the past few weeks.  I know I have a lot of work to do to earn first your forgiveness and then hopefully your trust.  I hope you are at least open to that possibility?’

‘I’m trying to be.  Why don’t we eat and then try to figure out how to go about this.’

Tina stood and held out her hand to Bette.  Bette accepted the gesture for what it was, just a gesture.