Bette heaved a sigh of relief when she finally arrived home. It had been a tedious day and all she wanted at that moment was a little peace and quiet. As she entered the foyer of her apartment she realized quiet was the last thing she would have.

Bette: Ashley!

Bette screamed for the teenager hoping her voice would over power the music Ashley had blaring.

Bette: Ashley!!

Bette made her way through the hallway and toward the spiral staircase.

Bette: ASHLEY!!!!

Still no answer.

Bette stormed upstairs toward the bedrooms.

Bette: I swear to God Ashley if you don’t turn that music down I will..,

Bette stopped dead in her tracks. The distinct smell of marijuana seeping through the crack under Ashley’s door.

Bette: Oh you have to be kidding me.

Bette pushed open the door to find not only Ashley but at least 4 other kids sitting around red eyed and giggling. Ashley looked over at Bette slyly sharing a smile.

Ashley: Hey Bette. Welcome home! How was your day?

The teenagers starred in amazement at the casualty Ashley offered to Bette.

Bette was so angry she couldn’t even form a proper sentence.

Bette: Out! Everyone out! You..here…now!

Ashley tried to control her laughter.

Ashley: Was that English?

She turned to her friends.

Ashley: Did any of you understand that sentence?

They all fell back in a fit of laughter.

Bette: Ashley get your ass out here right now!! I am not joking around!

Ashley: Well why didn’t you just say so?!

The teenager stood up and made her way over to Bette.

Ashley: BRB guys!

Bette rolled her eyes. What the hell did BRB mean??

Bette followed Ashley out of the bedroom and closed the door behind them.

Bette: What exactly do you think your doing? I mean I invite you into my house, give you everything you could ever want and this is your thank you?

Ashley tried to look innocent.

Ashley: Bette I think you could use a little hit.

Bette: Don’t fuck with me Ashley! I am in no mood. I want your friends out of here and then I want you in my room in 10 minutes.

Ashley: This is your fault you know.

Bette: Excuse me?

Ashley: I never asked you to bring me here. You and Tina decided to play house and use me as your child. Like I was part of some adopt a delinquent program.

Bette: Get them out of my house! Now!

Ashley sauntered back into her room leaving the door open for Bette to see. First she walked over to a young man seated on the chair in the corner. She straddled his lap kissing him deeply.

Bette: Jesus Christ!

Bette watched as Ashley reached her arm backwards grabbing the girl with the short pink hair. The girl spun and happily joined the kiss already in progress.

Bette lost all composure in that one moment. She ran her hands through her thick brown curls, took a deep breath and then she did what any parent would do. She screamed.

Bette: GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!!

The kids all stood up at the same time and marched single file out of the bedroom, leaving Ashley standing alone.

Bette pointed directly to the young girl.

Bette: You and I are not done with this just yet.

Bette followed the kids down the steps and made sure they all left without stealing anything. When the door closed behind them Bette turned to face Ashley who was now right behind her.

Ashley smiled again.

Ashley: Something you want to talk about Saint Bette?

Bette: Not yet. Right now I want to take bath. Then I want a glass of wine. After I feel that I am as equally buzzed as you we will talk!

Bette spun on her heels and headed back upstairs, wine in hand.

She couldn’t believe it. If this was the life she was in for then Bette was preparing to jump ship.

Bette entered the large master bathroom and began to fill the Jacuzzi tub. She watched as the bubbles gathered at the top. When the water was high enough Bette poured a glass of wine and slipped off her clothes. She slithered into the tub feeling her body rejuvenate with every inch of hot water. It had been a stressful day and all she wanted was sometime alone, to think. Tina wasn’t due home for another hour and that gave her plenty of time.



Tina: I think if we move the bench stage right it will open up the view.

Alex grabbed the bench and shifted it to the opposite end of the stage.

Alex: Good?

Tina: Good.

Alice: I hate to be a pest Kennard but don’t you think if it’s stage right the lamp post will block the actors faces?

Tina tilted her head to one side.

Tina: I didn’t even consider that. Ok, so stage left then.

Alex drew a deep breath and dragged the bench back to it’s original spot.

Tina: Yeah that works.

Alice: Or wait, what if you have it down center? Then you don’t the run the risk of anything being blocked.

Tina: Ohhh…

Alex quickly sat down planting his bottom on the bench.

Alex: If you wan this bench moved you are going to have to do it with my ass on it!

Tina: Come on Alex. I want to get this over with as much as you do.

Alex: If you want it moved then you move it! I was not hired as a stage hand! Not mention you are ruining my nails. I had a manicure just this morning and now look!!

Alex jumped up and headed to the bottom of the stage. He stuck his hand out in Tina’s face.

Tina: What? What am I looking at?

Alex: My cuticles! They are a mess now!

Alice: Eww, they are kind of rough.

Daphne: I can move the bench.

All three turned their heads to find Daphne seated in the back of the theatre.

Tina: What are you doing here? Rehearsal ended an hour ago.

Daphne stood and walked down toward the stage. She threw her hair quickly into a ponytail, leaving some of the curls to spring around her face.

Daphne: I was walking by and I heard voices in here so I popped in to see what was going on. It looked like you didn’t need any help so I just watched.

Tina smiled in appreciation.

Tina: Thanks Daphne but I think we have it covered.

Alex jumped off the stage.

Alex: Speak for yourself. If the girl wants to move scenery, let her.

Tina: Where are you going?

She watched as Alex made his way up the row of seats toward the exit.

Alex turned and flashed his hand at Tina.

Alex: To have my nails done, again!

Tina couldn’t help but laugh.

Tina: Fine go. The three of us can finish up.

Tina motioned toward Alice and Daphne.

Alice: Actually Tee, do you mind if I go?

Tina: What?

Alice: I’ve been thinking that I could really use a mani and peti.

Tina: But Al…

Tina began to protest when she felt Daphne’s hand take hers

Daphne: I think we can handle it Tina. Let the girl go.

Alice gave Tina her best pout.

Realizing she lost the battle, Tina gave in.

Tina: Fine go.

Alice gave Tina a quick kiss on the cheek and ran to meet Alex.

The two paused at the exit for the theatre and looked toward the stage. They watched as Daphne continued to hold Tina’s hand as they talked.

Alex: Do you think it’s a good idea that we leave them alone?

Alice: Daphne does look especially cunning this evening, doesn’t she?

Alex and Alice both starred at the women. They minds rushing with the thoughts of what could be. The two shook the images out of their heads.

Alex: Nah, they’ll be fine.

Alice: Yeah, they’ll be ok.

With a deep sigh they left the theatre and headed uptown.


Bette reached out of the soapy water to grab her cell phone. Struggling, she finally grabbed it.

Bette: Hello?

Tina: Hey babe.

Bette: Hi honey.

Tina: Listen, I’m going to be a little late. Alex and Alice bailed on helping me set the stage.

Bette: Of course they did.

Bette should have known that the two would flake out on Tina.

Bette: Do you need me to come and help?

Tina: Oh no. I got it. I just wanted you to know that I’d be late.

Bette: No problem. But Tee, we need to talk when you get home.

Tina could hear that something was very wrong in Bette’s voice.

Tina: Are you ok?

Bette: Oh yeah, it’s just Ashley. I don’t know what to do with her…

Tina: Babe, I hafta run. I’ll be home in a few hours and we’ll talk. OK?

What could Bette possibly say?

Bette: Ok.

With that Tina hung up, leaving Bette to face Ashley alone.
Daphne swung her legs off the edge of the stage and watched each graceful step that Tina took.

Tina: If we put the bar stools around the table over here do you think it gives enough room for movement?

Daphne: What scene is this for again.

Tina looked at her script.

Tina: Act One Scene 5.

Daphne: Oh ok. Well,

Daphne stood and walked to Tina.

Daphne: Let’s see. You sit here.

Tina took her place on the stool.

Daphne began to act out the scene from the play.

Daphne: I understand how you feel. I really do, but I need some time. Can you understand that?

Tina spun on the stool to face Daphne. Carefully she read from the script.

Tina: I do understand. I just need to know that I mean more to you then the other girls? I need to know that you actually care for me.

Daphne moved around the other side of the stool. Grabbing Tina by the waist she brought her in for a kiss. It was deep and strong and left Tina gasping for air.

Tina: That wasn’t in the script…

Daphne smiled and lowered her lips once again to Tina.

Daphne: I know.


Once Bette had slipped back into clothes and finished the bottle of white wine she made her way downstairs. She would have to confront this issue at some point.

Bette: Ashley?

Bette looked in the living room where the TV was on.

Bette: Where did you go now?

Ashley appeared from the foyer taking Bette by surprise.

Ashley: I’m right here.

Bette: Can we talk?

Ashley kept her hands behind her back and followed Bette into the kitchen.

Bette motioned for Ashley to take a seat, which she did.

Bette: Ashley, I know you are angry. I know that you probably don’t want to be here. But please remember that Tina and I are just trying to do what your sister asked of us.

Ashley: I understand Bette. My behavior was uncalled for.

Bette could barely believe what she was hearing. Was Ashley actually feeling remorse?

Bette: Ashley, I really like having you here. And I know I speak for Tina when I say that we wouldn’t want you any place else, but we need you to play by our rules.

Ashley remained calm.

Ashley: Rules?

Bette: Yes. For example, no smoking pot or anything else for that matter in the house.
Ashley: You smoke cigarettes when Tina isn’t home.

Bette: That’s different.

Ashley: How?

Bette could feel her face turning red again. She took a moment to collect herself and continued.

Bette: Because my name is on the check that pays the rent.

Bette’s voice was starting to shake as she tried to control her temper.

Ashley: That’s a little unfair don’t you think?

Bette: No, I don’t.

Ashley: Hmm. Well, I do. But let’s move on shall we?

Bette proceeded with caution.

Bette: Ok. Next, no sex in this house.

Ashley: Ok, no sex. Got it. And by the way, that rule would explain a lot in your relationship.

Bette snapped.

Bette: What the hell does that mean??

Ashley: I assume the no sex rule goes for you and Tina too. Right? I mean that would explain why you both are so up tight.

Bette: Ashley, you are this close to being kicked out of my house.

Ashley: Now Bette, don’t you think it would hurt Tina’s feelings to have you refer to this place as YOUR house? Doesn’t it belong to the both of you?

Bette said nothing. She just starred.

Ashley brought her arms out from behind her back revealing a manila envelope.

Bette: What is that?

Bette leaned forward to grab it but Ashley was to quick.

Ashley: Don’t you also think it would hurt Tina’s feelings to know that her girlfriend or wife or whatever the hell you are, is planning to betray her?

Bette: What the hell are you talking about?

Ashley opened the envelope slowly.

Ashley: When were you going to tell Tina that you are dropping out of her show Bette?

Bette’s face went white. She felt her heart leap into her throat.

Ashley slammed the new script on the kitchen table for Bette to see.

Ashley: If you don’t want ME to be the one to tell Tina that you are planning to stab her in the heart, I suggest that you leave me alone. You will let me come and go as I please, bringing whoever and whatever I want into this house. Got it?

Bette couldn’t believe it. Ashley was blackmailing her!

Ashley stood up and headed up the stairs. She watched as Bette sat down starring at the script. Ashley giggled maliciously knowing Bette was in an awful situation. She laughed even harder knowing she put her there.

TBC…