Tina sat up to gather her clothes and leave. She needed to leave this wasn’t good. Bette already said she was in love with Jodie. Tears instantly formed and rolled down Tina’s face. Tina felt so jilted.

Bette watched Tina sit up and saw her crying. She hated it when Tina cried. Lately she had been the reason for it and she knew it.

“Ti” Bette sat up and reached out placing her hand on Tina’s shoulder to get her attention. Tina shivered from the touch and Bette quickly retreated.

“Tina… I’m… uh…I’m sorry.” Bette winced ashamed for having caused all of this. She began to cry, willing to let the tears fall. She had never let Jodie she her cry. But with Tina, with Tina she could let all of walls down and open herself freely. “Tina, I’m in love with—“she sobbed.

Tina didn’t even bother to put her clothes on. Once she saw Bette breakdown she was over to her side bringing her head into her chest, cradling her. Bette continued to cry and Tina continued to hold onto her head padding her head, whispering sweet nothings. After a while, the tears subsided and Bette looked up into those beautiful hazel eyes and began to laugh. “This is so fucked up Tina. I’m so embarrassed.” She put a pillow over her face and hid. Tina joined in the laughter and lay back down besides her. She turned to Bette and spoke. “Bette I came home after a party over at Shane’s where I got shitfaced and on top of that I woke up to you watching me fuck myself!” Tina pulled the pillow off of Bette’s face and covered hers now she was embarrassed. Bette didn’t laugh.

“Ti you just said ‘home’ you came ‘home.’” It had felt so good that Tina had referred to their home as ‘home.’

Tina realizes this and turns to Bette. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. It’s the, you know—“ She made like she was drinking. She quickly sat up about to take her leave again.  Bette grabbed her arm. “Please don’t leave.” She pleaded. “Stay.”

Tina wanted to stay. She wanted nothing more than to stay in her old home, sleep in this bed, and sleep besides the woman she loved. But she couldn’t and she wouldn’t. Bette didn’t want her. She loved Jodie. She had said it herself.