Chapter 11

Bette sat at her kitchen table planning how she would win Tina back. She would do anything necessary. She grabbed her keys, a pad and pen and was out the door.


Bette arrived at Alices apartment and paced outside the door. Finally she heard a noise come from inside and she put her ear up to the door. It was Tina. Bette had to giggle. Tina was reciting the lines from the movie Beaches. Tina always bragged that she knew every word to that movie. Bette sucked up her pride and knocked at the door, not knowing exactly what she would say.

Tina: Whos there? ( Tina wasnt expecting anyone and she didnt think Alice was either.)

Bette stayed silent frozen with fear of what Tina would say.

Tina: Anyone out there?

Bette: Tee, Its me. Can I come in?

Tina was in shock.

Bette: Please Tee, I just want to talk to you. I think we own each other that much.

Tina: (very brazen) I dont know that I owe you anything.

Bette sensed the venom in Tinas words.

Bette: No, ( sounding defeated) you dont. But I owe you so much. I owe you for ever loving me.
I owe you for making me smile for 7 years. I owe you for putting up with my bull ***** and for not leaving. I owe you for showing me what a real relationship is really like. I owe your for opening my eyes to so many things. I owe you for allowing me to be, well, me. I owe you for all the little things too. For making me soup and mashed potatoes when I had my wisdom teeth removed. For putting up with my strange obsession with the musical RENT. I owe you for picking me up in San Francisco when my car broke down. I owe you for rushing me to the hospital when I swore my appendix had burst but really it was indigestion. Do you remember all of this? Do you?

Tina had placed herself on the floor next to the door. Bette had done the same.

Bette: Tee, are you there?

Tina could hear Bettes voice quivering.

Tina: I am. ( Tina spoke quietly) And I do remember.

Bette: Please Tee, come home. I want to help you to remember everything.

Tina: I dont need help remembering Bette. I need help forgetting. Help me to forget what you did. Or better yet, help me to forget you.

Bette: You dont mean that Tina. You dont want to forget us. Everything we had, have.

Tina: I do Bette. I really do. ( She was lying. Not only did she want Bette to believe her, but she wanted to believe herself.) .

Bette: Tell me Tee, tell me what I can do to make this better? Therapy? Well go to Foxworthy again Maybe you want to move out of here, start over some place new? Well go. Ill quit the CAC. You name it, Ill do it baby.

Tina: Im sorry Babe, but whats done is done.

Part of Bette was glad Tina called her Babe again. But it wasnt enough,

Bette: Open the door.

Tina: Im sorry. I cant.

Bette: Tee, open then door. I just need to see you.

Tina: No, Bette. I want you to go.

Bette: You dont mean that.

Tina tried to make it sound like she wasnt crying.

Tina: I do Bette.

Bette: Fine, I will go…

Bette took a piece of paper out of her pocket and folded it carefully. She slipped it quietly under Alices door. Bette stood up and walked out the door and into her blue Volvo. She put the keys in the ignition, took a deep breathe, wiped away her tears and drove off.

Tine grabbed the paper and unfolded it. She recognized Bettes handwriting. She held the paper to her face and caught a slight whiff of Bettes perfume. Romance. Tina always loved that scent on her. Carefully she read what Bette had written on the paper.

Sometimes I watch you when youre sleeping
I see youre having dreams tonight
And I know just by the way youre breathing.
That Im a vision in your mind

Wherever you may go my love,
Wherever you may be.
And all that matters in this world
Is just lying next to me
So sleep tight sweetheart, youre free


So beautiful, you make me smile
So wonderful, youre in my life
Incredible, that you are mine.
So beautiful, you give me life
You bring me joy you bring me sight

I watch the way you love your family
And how everyone looks to you
And I dont want to be here standing
If you didnt hold me, Baby hold me up like you do

Wherever I may go, my love
Wherever I may be
I know my dreams will find you
Just lying next to me
So sleep tight sweetheart, youre free *


Tina had recognized those words. That was the song that she and Bette first danced to. The lyrics grabbed at Tinas heart strings and she jumped up to open the door. Tina looked left, then right.

Tina: Bette!

Tina ran out toward the parking lot. No sign of Bettes car.

Tina: Bette!!! Bette!

Tina leaned against the brick wall of the apartment building. She looked down once more at the paper Bette had left her, tears streaming down her face.

Tina: ( To herself) Shes gone.

TBC


** The lyrics above were written by the very gorgeous, very talented Idina Menzel**