Chapter 19

Bette opens the door slowly and enters, she looks over at the bed, just looking for a moment, before she walks the last feet to the bedside.
“Hi, baby.” Bette says as she leans down and kisses Tina on her forehead.
Tina writes on the cell again.
“I love you, Im sorry about what mom said.” Bette reads it, she smiles weakly down on her.
“It´s okay. I was hurt but, it´s okay. Just as long as you´re okay, I´ll be okay.” Bette says.
Tears are streaming down Tina´s cheek. Bette softly wipes them away.
“Please don´t cry.” Bette whispers. “Are you in any pain?” Bette asks.
Tina writes “No” and shows it to her.
“Good. I was so scared when Alice and Dana told me what had happened. I´m so glad you´re okay. I don´t think I could take another loss of this size.” Bette says and squeezes Tina´s hand softly.
Bette stayed the night with Tina, while Dana and Alice took Michael to Tina´s apartment and stayed there for the night.
The next morning, Bette is woken up by a nurse.
“Hello? Ms. Porter.” The nurse says.
Bette opens her eyes and quickly looks towards Tina and sees that she´s still there.
“Yes, what´s going on?” Bette asks.
“Well, I´m here to take Ms. Kennard down to x-ray and some tests. The doctors want to see if her lungs are better and if they can take her off the respirator. I think it will take a couple of hours before she´s back.” The nurse says.
“Oh okay, let me just say bye first.” Bette says and stands up and takes a light seat on the bedside. “Morning baby.” Bette says. She sees that Tina smiles in return with her eyes. She gives Tina her phone so she could talk back.
“I love you, go home, get a shower, I´ll be good here.” Tina writes.
“You sure? I want to stay here with you.” Bette whispers.
Tina writes again.
“I´m okay babe, please, take care of yourself, get a shower, fresh clothes and come back after. I´ll manage, I bet it won´t take too long either before Dana, Alice and Michael gets here.” Tina writes.
“Okay. I love you. I´ll be here when you get back, at least I´ll try.” Bette says and smiles.
Just as the nurse is about to wheel Tina out, the machine goes off, and Tina starts to shake and banging her arm, her eyes rolls back.
“TINA.” Bette shouts as the nurse pulls the emergency string and the doctors rushes in.
“Step back mam.” Doctor Trager says.
“What´s going on?” Bette cries starting to panic.
“We don´t know yet. Dr. Tomson, get the crash cart, now, her heart´s stopping.” Dr. Trager says.
Bette stares at them, trying to bring Tina back. The beeping of the machine held an even constant sound, indicating that the heart´s not beating..
“Oh God, please God, let her be okay. Please don´t take her from me. Please, please.” Bette whispers. The doctors works fast, they get it going again, but has to rush out with Tina to a OR. One nurse stays back.
“Ms. Porter, I´ll come back with info when I know, okay?” She says.
Bette shocked, and just stares at the door.
“Ms. Porter, can you hear me?” The nurse asks.
“Oh, yes, I´m sorry.” Bette says as tears streams down her face.
“I´ll come and see you, when I have any news about Ms. Kennards condition.
“Please call her Tina.” Bette says softly.
“Sure, Tina.” The nurse says and then leaves Bette in the room.
About 10 minutes later, Bette hears the door to the room open. She quickly turns, in hope that is was the nurse, with any news, but Alice, Dana and Michael enters the room.
“Hey.” Alice says and walks up to Bette, who´s standing by the window. Alice sees the teary face. “Hey, what´s wrong?” She asks.
“Bette, where´s my sister?” Michael asks concerned.
“She…” Bette started but failed, as the words stopped in her mouth.
“Where is she?” Michael asks again, walking up to Bette. Starting to panic.
“She… her heart stopped,” She´s having a hard time saying it. “and… The doctors came in and got… it started again, then they rushed out. That was 15 minutes ago.” Bette finishes.
“Oh my God.” Dana gasps. Alice softly strokes her arm.
“She was dead, she was lying there and her heart wasn´t beating. I… I can´t take this, I can´t.” Bette suddenly says and walks out of the room.
Dana and Alice are shocked. Michael looks at them confused.
“What did she mean?” He asks.
“I don´t know. I´ll run after her.” Alice says and looks briefly at Dana, before running after Bette.
She finds Bette outside the main entrance, sitting on a bench, head in her hands, crying silently. She makes a stop at the coffee and baguette cart outside the entrance. She buys two cups of coffee and a baguette for Bette, assuming she hasn´t had anything to eat yet.
“Is this seat taken?” Alice asks, getting Bette´s attention. Bette wipes her tears and looks up, smiles faintly at Alice.
“Take a seat.” Bette says, drying her face.
“It´s okay to cry you know.” Alice says, bumping softly her shoulder against Bette´s, offering her a cup of coffee.
“Thanks.” Bette says and takes it. She also takes the offered baguette.
They sit in silence for a few minutes.
“I´m sorry I ran out. I just couldn´t take it. I can´t go in there again Alice. I can´t.” Bette says, looking straight ahead.
“Why?” Alice asks softly.
“I don´t want a rerun of last time. I hate hospitals.” Bette says.