“So it means…” Tina slowly began but stopped, too confused to think clearly.

Alice finished her thought, “It means that Christina never gave the miniature to Bette. She probably made the inscription later as a message to Bette that even if they couldn’t be together physically, spiritually they would find each other. And in a way she was right…Bette found Christina’s soul in you, especially if she is your ancestor. Maybe that’s why you feel this amazing connection with Bette because there’s a part of Christina’s blood in you…but the second part of the inscription…I’m just not sure if Bette is ready for you or anyone.”

“This is too deep, Alice,” Tina said softly, her vision getting blurry from the tears that were threatening to escape her eyes any minute. “If what you’re saying is true and this is why I feel this connection, then I’m afraid that Bette will always see Christina in me…and never just me, Tina Kennard.”

“Well, I can tell you one thing…physically you two are almost identical. That’s why I was so dumbstruck when I saw Christina for the first time. I thought she was you and since it was impossible, I began to doubt my sanity. Character-wise, you have a lot of similarities as well…kindness, loyalty, generosity, working with underprivileged kids in your spare time…but you also have this free and independent spirit in you…and you can be funny sometimes when I’m not around to be compared with. But most of all, your connection with Bette is more intense and vibrant…at least this is how I see it. When I saw the two of you in the same room, I could feel the sparks floating around that can give the energizer bunny a run for its money.”

“Alice, please be serious for one minute,” Tina sighed again, still feeling vulnerable and unsure about the way she wanted to express her fillings for Bette.

“Why won’t you just talk to her, Tina?” Alice suggested.

“I don’t know. What could I possible say to her? ‘Hey Bette, I’ve been in love with you since I was 13, so how about you take off all your clothes and we can finally have wild, mind-blowing, amazing sex’.”