Bette stood at the island in the kitchen, her head down starring off into space. She had wanted to tell Tina so badly, but maybe it was sign that Tina had fallen asleep. It wasn’t the right time. Heaving a sad sigh Bette continued stirring her coffee. The slam of the front door, only worsening Bette’s already pounding head. She looked up quickly to find Ashley standing in front of her. That was all she needed. Bette rubbed her temples wishing the migraine away.

Ashley: Well, how is the big Broadway star?

Bette: Not now Ashley, please.

Bette was worn out and it shown on her face.

Ashley: Looks like leading this double life is taking its toll.

Ashley reached out to Bette but the brunette pulled back.

Bette: Don’t.

Bette’s voice was barley above a whisper. She was at her breaking point and at any minute her eyes would fill with tears, something she did not want Ashley to see. She knew her pain would only please Ashley and that was something she simply could not have. What Bette needed more than anything was a friend, a real bona fide friend.

Ashley: I was thinking that I’d have some people sleep over tonight.

Bette: I would really rather not tonight.

Ashley: Now Bette, you know and I know that you don’t get to make that decision. Besides it’s only going to be one or two people. And we won’t break anything. We’ll just sit in my room, smoke a little, dance a little, kiss a little…the usual.

Bette’s face went red with anger. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take.

Bette: I want you to listen very carefully to me Ashley. This is my house. And you will attempt to behave like a civil human being while you are living under this roof. Do you understand me?

Bette was clenching her jaw so tightly she though for sure it would crack.

Tina: What’s going on down here?

Ashley threw a smile straight at Bette before spinning to face a sleepy Tina.

180 degrees later Ashley’s face had molded into that of a small child. Her brown eyes glowing with what looked like tears and a pout to seal the deal.

Tina ran to the teenager.

Tina: Ashley, are you ok?

Bette rolled her eyes.

Bette: Oh please.

Tina: Bette, what did you do?

Ashley sniffled for effect.

Ashley: I just asked her if I could have a friend or two stay over. She yelled at me.

Bette: What!?

Tina: Not now Bette.

Tina wrapped her arm around Ashley and led her into the living room.

Bette: You have to be kidding me?

Tina said nothing.

Bette: I’m going for a walk.

Tina spun around.

Tina: Where?

Bette: Anywhere but here.

Tina couldn’t believe after the intimate moment they had shared just an hour ago, Bette was storming out the door.

Cooley, Tina walked to Bette, arms outstretched.

Tina: Babe, we just need to be very careful with her. She’s vulnerable right now.

“SHE isn’t the only one,” Bette thought to herself. Keeping her voice at a whisper Bette leaned into Tina.

Bette: How could you take her side?

Tina: How could YOU even ask that?

Bette threw her arms up in defeat.

Tina: She is a child Bette. And she has no one else in this world to look out for her.

Bette was at a loss for words. In shock, Bette turned and walked out the door.





Tina closed her eyes briefly hoping to center herself. The blonde stood in the foyer, torn. Should she run after Bette and try to explain herself? Or, should she sit with Ashley who looked like she could really use a shoulder to lean on?

Tina: Bette’s an adult, she can fend for herself.

Briskly, Tina walked back to the living room. She looked down at Ashley who, from this angle, looked so tiny and lost. Tina couldn’t help it. She sat next to the young woman and wrapped her arms as tight as she could around her.

Tina: She doesn’t mean to yell at you.

Ashley smiled mischievously over Tina’s shoulder.

Ashley: I don’t mean to make her so angry.

Tina: I know. She just gets so worked up sometimes.

Ashley pulled away from Tina and dried her crocodile tears.

Ashley: Have I done something to make her hate me?

Tina couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Look at what Bette was doing to this young girl.

Tina: No! Don’t ever think that. You have done nothing wrong. I will have a nice long chat with Bette once she gets home. You run upstairs and call your friends. You can have as many as you like sleep over.

Ashley’s face beamed with joy. She had won. The battle would be over soon. Reaching across the couch Ashley threw her body against Tina’s in a giant hug.

Ashley: Thank you Tina. You are the best.

Tina placed a kiss on Ashley’s forehead before watching her head upstairs.

When Ashley was safely tucked in her room Tina rose to her feet.

Tina: God dam it Bette! Why must you make everything so difficult!





Bette Porter needed a drink and she would have one. Raising her arm high in the air, she hailed the first cab that passed.

Bette: Thank god! West 52nd between 8th and 9th.

The cabby nodded and hit the gas. She couldn’t believe Tina would treat her this way. She hadn’t even taken the time to explain what was happening before she had jumped to conclusions. Bette glanced at the clock that shone bright green on the dashboard. 8:32pm. She would remember this time and date. It would be the exact moment when Bette realized she didn’t know Tina Kennard as well as she thought she had and that was the most painful realization she had ever come to. The cab came to an abrupt halt at the curb launching Bette forward. She placed her hands firmly on the bulletproof glass that stood between she and the driver.

Driver: Sorry.

Bette sneered.

Bette: Uh huh.

Handing him a twenty-dollar bill Bette exited the cab. As the yellow car sped away Bette fixed her pants and shirt. She looked up to the neon flashing sign above the door in front of her. THERAPY.

Bette: Apropos.

Bette had heard of this bar but had never actually been. A fellow actor of hers had told her it was the place to go to get away. Walking through the heavy metal door Bette realized why. The dimly lit establishment was lined with men. All men, men of different shapes and sizes who were leaning on each other. Surely, she wouldn’t find any lesbian drama here.

Bette sauntered up to the bar and ordered her usual, martini, dry, 2 olives. She sipped the liquid slowly letting the full flavor dance across her lips. She made her way up the wooden staircase toward some abandoned tables in the back. It felt good to hide in the shadows, unnoticed. No decisions to make, no hearts to care for, no expectations. Just solitude. Bette laid her head back and closed her eyes. This was exactly what she needed.

Avery: Come here often?

The sweet voice startled Bette and she jolted forward.

Bette: Jesus.

The brunette pressed her hand to her pounding heart.

Bette: You scared the shit out of me!

Avery: Oops. I didn’t mean to.

Bette: Have a seat.

Avery smiled apologetically.

Avery: No that’s ok. It looks like you’d rather be alone tonight.

Bette: Don’t be silly. Sit.

Avery: I never expected to see you here.

Bette: I could say the same about you.

Avery: My brother is the bar tender over there.

Bette tilted her head to get a better look.

Bette: The one in the tight white tank top and cut off jean shorts?

Avery sighed.

Avery: Yup.

Bette: I can see the resemblance.

Both women laughed.

Avery: It’s the muscles. We’re practically twins.

Bette: So you come here just to watch your brother work?

Avery: Of course not! I come here because I get free drinks. I am, after all, a starving actress.

Bette: Not anymore. You said it yourself. We have a hit on our hands.

Avery: Until the checks come pouring in, I’m a starving artist. The real question is, what are you doing here?

Bette: A friend of mine told me about this place. I figured I’d check it out. It’s nice.

Avery: It’s quiet, and that’s what makes it nice.

Bette raised her glass.

Bette: I’ll drink to that.

The buzzing of her cell phone interrupted Bette’s cheer.

Bette: Excuse me.

Bette glanced down at her phone and saw the familiar number. “Home”. After a moments thought Bette hit the ignore button. She rolled her eyes and took another sip of the potent drink.

Avery: Looks like you are having one of those nights.

Bette: You don’t know the half of it.

Avery: So tell me.

Bette: Trust me, you don’t want to spend the night hearing me bitch and complain.

Avery threw her strawberry blonde hair up in a ponytail; her green eyes sparkled in the candlelight.

Avery: Does it look like I have something better to do?

Bette took a deep breath.

Bette: You might want to get another drink first, this is going to be a long story.

Avery: Fair enough. I’ll get us both one.

With that Avery stood up and walked toward her brother at the end of the bar. Bette glanced down at her cell phone and noticed the new message signal blinking. Punching a few buttons on the keypad Bette then lifted the phone to her ear.

Tina: Babe, it’s me. I wish you would answer your phone. I need to talk to you, you can’t keep taking your stress out on Ashley, it isn’t fair to her. Please, call me back.

Bette: This just keeps getting better and better.

Avery took her seat across from Bette once again.

Avery: I’m all ears.

Bette smiled, thankful for a friend. She began the story at the beginning, the very beginning. Back to when she first met Tina and continued for almost an hour. Avery listened attentively and never said a word. She would just nod to acknowledge that she had heard what Bette had said. When Bette had finally finished she leaned back in her seat.

Bette: Even though my life is in complete shambles, I feel much better having just told someone about it.

Avery: I’m glad Bette.

Reaching across the cold metal table Avery took Bette’s trembling hand.

Avery: Are you ok?

Bette: I don’t know.

Bette’s face was masked with confusion.

Bette: I’m not really sure which end is up these days.

Avery: I’m happy to help you get through it.

Bette: Thank you.

Bette turned her gaze downward and starred at the way her hand fit in Avery’s. Unknowingly, Bette smiled.





Alex: What’s your name?

Jason: Jason.

The young man looked startled and nervous.

Alex: I’m going to buy you a drink!

Alex slurred his words, his breath dripping with the smell of vodka.

Jason: No thank you.

Alex: Aww come on! Let me buy it!

Jason: I don’t think my boyfriend would like that very much.

Alex was practically drooling at the man in front of him. He was tall and muscular. His blonde hair was cut in such a way that it kept falling into his blue eyes.

Alex leaned into the young man’s ear.

Alex: I won’t tell him.

In an instant Alex found himself being held against a wall by his neck.

Alex: Who are you?

Boyfriend: I’m the boyfriend! If you so much as look at Jason again, I’ll kill you.

Alex couldn’t help but be a little scared for his life. The arm holding him against the cold brick wall was attached to a giant of a man. He was at least 7 feet tall, or so he seemed. His muscles bulged out from every direction and his eyes were jet black.

Alex: I didn’t mean any harm sweetie.

Boyfriend: I am not now, nor will I ever be YOUR sweetie. I recommend you get out of here.

He dropped Alex back onto his feet. Gasping for air Alex marched away.

Alex: Well fine! Be that way!

He tossed his non-existent long hair over his shoulder and strutted away.

Alex: You’ll never work in this town again!

He couldn’t help but laugh at his own words. They weren’t true but God knows they sounded good, very Norma Desmond! He smirked at his own wit. Clumsily he staggered upstairs.

Alex: I need another drink.

At the top of the steps he surveyed his options.

Alex: OK. Spanish guy at the bar, scrawny man by the table, twinkie in the corner, Bette in the booth, red head by jukebox…

Alex shook his head. Surely her was hallucinating.

Alex: No that can’t be right.

Like a drunken secret agent Alex cautiously walked the perimeter of the bar, tripping only once on his own feet. As he approached his eyes grew wider. That was definitely Bette. A broad smile spread across his face.

Alex: Yay! A playmate!

He was about to dash over and say hello when something stopped him in his tracks. Bette Porter was holding a woman’s hand. A hand that did not belong to Tina Kennard.

Alex: What the fuck?

He watched carefully as Bette smiled at this woman. Who was she? Without hesitation Alex ripped his cell phone from his pocket. Pointing directly at the pair he snapped a quick picture. In his drunken stupor Alex had forgotten one thing, the flash. Quickly he spun around hoping they wouldn’t notice. He was in luck. The two just kept chatting away. Frantically he pressed the numbers on the keypad and hit send. After another minute he dialed the phone again.

Alex: Did you get it?

Alice: Yeah, but what exactly am I looking at?

Alex: Bette is at Therapy with another woman.

Alice: What?

Alex: Can you see the other woman’s face in the picture?

Alice: Yes. She looks familiar.

Alex: That’s what I thought. Who the hell is she?

Alice: Why is she holding Bette’s hand?

Alex: Well, reporter, you’ve got a job to do!

Alice: I’m on it. I’ll call you back.

Alex: Al, hurry!

Alice: I will I will. Jesus. And go brush your teeth.

Alex raised an eyebrow.

Alex: What?

Alice: I can smell the alcohol through the phone.

Alice quickly hung up.

Alex cupped his hand over his mouth quickly he exhaled and inhaled, smelling his own breath.

Alex: She’s good.

TBC…