Bette didn’t say anything while her mind was trying to process Jennifer’s words, ‘I read it…’

Tina noticed Bette’s mental turmoil and asked Jennifer, “Do you think we can get the diary from your friend? It’s really important.”

“Sure…here’s her phone number and I will let her know that you’re going to call her,” Jennifer looked at Bette again and added, “You know…your grandma…or whoever that Lizzie was…helped me to get through some tough times.”

“How so?”

“Well, she was having very intense feelings for someone named Christina…I guess it runs in your family,” Jennifer chuckled and continued, “Anyway…she was struggling with them because of so many different obstacles on their way, like time period, Christina’s husband, her family…but she was willing to risk everything for her love. I wish she continued writing it so I would know how it all ended. And her drawings were amazing…some day I want to be an artist…and I gave the diary to Emily as a reminder that I love her.”

Jennifer looked back at the house and saw her mother watching them through the window, “I have to go before she freaks out again.”

“Are you going to be okay?” Tina asked with concern.

“Yeah…I’ll tell her that I wanted to apologize again for throwing away your book,” she shook their hands and ran back into the house.

“Good luck,” Bette shouted quickly, hoping that Jennifer would be fine.

Place: Chapel Hill, NC – on the way to the Siena Hotel

Year: March 10, 2006 – Friday

Bette and Tina got into their car and looked at each other.

“Wow…I believe in miracles now,” Tina said with astonishment in her voice.

“I’m more amazed that we’re going back to L.A. to get the diary…it’s like we’re coming full circle,” Bette shook her head in disbelief, “I can’t wait to read it to you because…well, because I want you to know me as I was before we met.”

“Are you any different from who you are now?” Tina asked, looking at Bette briefly while navigating through the traffic on their way to the hotel.

“I’ll let you decide on that,” Bette smiled, stroking Tina’s thigh. “By the way…I can’t wait to get back to the hotel. Today was so exhausting for us emotionally that I really need some release or I’ll go crazy.”

“What kind of release?” Tina asked teasingly, knowing exactly what the brunette was talking about.

“Well…I was thinking about going to the hotel’s bar, get drunk and then fall asleep in each other’s arms.”

“So this is your idea of a release?” Tina feigned shock.

“What do you suggest then?” Bette smiled, enjoying those little games with her girlfriend.

“Well…I was thinking about going to the hotel, have a wild and passionate love making session, then go to the hotel’s bar, get drunk and fall asleep in each other’s arms.”

“Hmm…I do like your idea better, baby…are we there yet?”

TBC…