She parks in front of a small building with a dusty sign that reads ‘Sapphic Paradise’. She chuckles at the cleverness. She looks towards the docks and catches her breath. Bette’s plane is tied to a post and her jeep is a few feet away. They both look just as rustic and archaic as she remembers. She laughs at the sight but quickly realizes that Bette might be inside. Her heart begins to thump in her chest and her body temperature rises. She fixes her hair and pats down her dress. Taking a deep breath, she pushes her designer sunglasses on top of her head and opens the door, not bothering to knock. The room is hauntingly empty. Her heart sinks.

The office consists of a small waiting area, a couple of antique desks behind a short counter and a giant fan blowing in the corner. Tina steps to the counter and rings the silver bell loudly. She stops the impatient tapping of her fingers as she takes a moment to study the posters on the wall. They’re old movie posters, some of Marilyn Monroe with a couple from Alfred Hitchcock. The classics and they just happen to be her favorites. She smiles then notices a stunning painting of the island with the sun setting in the background. It’s intricate in detail and breathtaking in color and design. It calls to her. She begins to lose herself in memories of her and her beloved as she stares deeply into the vivid vibrant landscape. She remembers how her heart was constantly racing and not because they were running for their lives but because of Bette’s dazzling smile, her warm brown eyes and her cocky nature. She grins as she wipes a few tears from her eyes. She is suddenly startled by a piercing presence.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Tina spins around, slightly disappointed but still hopeful. “Phyllis please, I’m here to see Bette and I’m not leaving until I find her. I know I screwed it up and I know I have a lot of work to do. But please. I have to see her. I…I love her.”

Phyllis takes a moment, but the look on Tina’s face softens her. “She would probably kill me but she’s been a sulking, sorry, son of a bitch since she came back. We all assumed you kicked her ass out. We know she’s as stubborn as a mule. She probably isn’t very easy to live with.”