Thanks to her mother, Bette had never really given her all to any woman.  Yes, she loved Alice.  She loved Alice more than she had loved any of her girlfriends, but even Alice knew that there was something missing—some place that Bette would never allow her.

Bette hadn’t seen her mother for the past 17 years.  She could vividly remember her mother telling her that she was going to the store, but hours went by and her mother never came back home.  When her father arrived home after work, he only found his 9-year-old daughter, crying on the floor.

After a police report was filed, Bette’s family learned that her mother was located somewhere in Kansas.  She told the police that she would give up her parental rights because she was never going to come back.

If her mother could leave her, anyone could.

What would make her think that Helena would be any different?

The two of them got into Bette’s car and headed towards the Planet.  This is where they had been sharing their breakfasts for the past month.  Bette and Helena walked in, hand-in-hand.  They waved in Kit’s direction and took a seat in the back.

“What is it, Bette, “Helena started, “that’s keeping you from opening up to me?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m not an idiot.  I can tell you are blocking yourself from me.” Helena took a sip of her tea, “Why?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Bette avoided direct eye contact with Helena, knowing that when she looked in her eyes she would be compelled to tell the truth.

“Bette, if you opened up once and awhile, you’d be surprised what can happen for you.”

“Like what?”

“Well, maybe, just maybe, you could fall in love.”

“I’ve been in love before.”

“Now, you know, I can’t really believe that.  You know why?  Because you can’t truly fall in love if you’ve never let yourself go.”  Their eyes met, “If you’ve never trusted your entire heart and soul to someone else, then you’d never know what real and true love is.”

“What do you want me to say Helena?”

“I want you to tell me the truth.  Why is it so hard for you to give in to me?”

“I’ve never given in to anyone.  Ever.”

Helena smiled.  That’s why she was falling for her—her inability to back down.  She stood her ground even when challenged by some of Helena’s mother’s richest and most staunch friends.  Though it would prove to be her greatest flaw, Helena loved it regardless.

“You can always try something new.” Helena’s eyes smiled at Bette.

Bette paused for a second.

“My mother ran away from us—my father and I—when I was 9.  I haven’t seen her since.  The last I heard from her, she said she wanted nothing to do with my father or me.  I never really had my father to begin with—he never could cope with the idea of his daughter being gay.  Only family I have is Kit, Alice, and Shane.”

“You have me too, Bette.”

“But if my mother could leave me—her own daughter, when will you leave?”

“I won’t, unless you make me.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t blame you.” Helena took Bette’s hand, “I wouldn’t trust me either.  That’s what scares me.  You don’t trust me, but I completely trust you.” Bette followed Helena’s eyes with her own, “I have given my heart to you, but I’m sure at this early stage I can take it back.  I don’t want to leave you, but I will…”

Even though Bette wasn’t sure how to let herself go, she knew that she didn’t want to lose Helena.  She wanted more than anything to keep Helena around.

“I don’t want you to leave.”

“Will you open up to me?”

Bette sighed, but smiled, “I’ll try.”

“Just try?”

“No, I’ll do it.”