“Before name could be given Kelly emerged naked wrapping her arms around her waist, their lips touched, then Kelly reached for me pressing her lips against mines in response I——-, “she pauses before continuing, “I fell weak.”

“Cybele was your private whore?”

“No, and I did not see her as such.”

“What did you see her as?”

“Just another that shared our bed.”

“If your heart belonged to Tina why continue to lay with them both why not return to the loving arms of the woman who claimed your heart?”

“I could not return, “Gaia could hear the evident pain in her voice, “Any future held with Tina and I was nothing more than distance memory.”

“I do not understand.”

“I did not return as I no longer felt worthy of her love and fear of her rejecting my heart.”

“I sit with confused mind, you spoke of her as I did of Cybele to break words to Kelly your heart belonged to another you remained. What gave reason to sudden change of thought? “Why reject love? Was it Cybele? Had you fallen for her?”

“Never! My reason for not returning had nothing to do with Cybele. She like me was of young age and mind the fault was not hers.” With every question asked Bette provided an answer however, there was something she was still keeping from her. In order to truly forgive and move on Gaia needed to know the whole truth.

“Why did you remain, “she speaks raising her voice.

“Few months passed before Kelly dismissed Cybele from our bed we never crossed paths again until years later when you rendered us introduction.”

“Give answer? What hold does that snake have over you!?”

“I knew then I loved Tina, “she says as her eyes filled with tears, “But my life as it was returning to Tina I would have lost all including her love.”

“Why did you remain Bette?” Twirling her fingers Bettes left leg begins to shake nervously she clears her throat hoping to find her voice that was now suddenly lost.

“I’ve never shared reason to anyone, not to Kit, not even to Tina.” For Gaia, Bettes past with Cybele was not as important the color was now gone from her face and tears were slowly falling down her cheeks. In all of the years she had known Bette she had never knew such emotion existed. Walking towards her kneeling before her friend she rest her hand on top of hers. Looking up Bette meets her friends gaze beneath both their eyes spoke of the same pain.