“You know better than to believe that rich bitch.”

“Oh, I knew she was lying but I think Bette was there and now she’s gone and I don’t know where else to look.”

“Tell you what,” Shane finished her beer and got up. “You go home because that’s Bette’s home too and she will eventually come back. I will pick up Carmen and we’ll drive around and look for Bette, okay? I’ll call as soon as I know anything.”

“Okay…thanks, Shane.”

Alice and Dana’s House – same night

Alice went to the bathroom to clean up while Bette kept drinking her wine, contemplating the future. She had to make a decision but she knew that whatever she decides, things were not going to be the same. At least not for a while.

Alice walked back into the room and watched Bette quietly. She had time to think while she was changing her wine soaked clothes but even her imaginative and creative mind couldn’t come up with anything witty. Alice sighed and rejoined Bette on the sofa. She knew that nothing will work better with Bette but truth and nothing but the truth.

“Bette, what happened?”

“I accidentally found a copy of my mother’s journal that Tina never had shown to me before and the cat was out of the bag.”

“I see…” Alice scratched the back of her head and said, “When we found out what happened in 1885, Tina was really torn between telling you the truth and hiding it. She was afraid that if she told you that Christina survived you would go back to be with her because your love for Tina wasn’t strong enough yet. We talked a lot about it and in the end decided that it was better not to say anything yet.”

Alice looked at Bette whose attention seemed to be solely on her wine. She was twirling the glass in her fingers as if fascinated with the deep red color but Alice knew she was listening.

“Tina just didn’t want to lose you because she loves you more than anything.”

Bette finally looked up and replied with sadness, “I love her more than anything too but she should’ve told me the truth and give me a chance to make the decision. Whether I was right or wrong, it was still my choice and my decision to make.”

“I’m sure Tina knows it and she totally regrets what we did…I do,” Alice moved closer and put her arm around Bette’s shoulders. “What are you going to do, Bette?”

“I don’t know yet, Alice,” Bette finished her wine and put the glass on the coffee table. “I’m going to stay at the hotel tonight. I need to be alone to think. If Tina calls, tell her that I’m fine but I need some time, okay?”

Bette got up and Alice stood up as well, giving Bette a big hug, “Okay.” She hesitated but said it anyway, “Whatever you decide to do, Bette, just be sure that’s this is what you really want. Okay?”

Bette smiled and returned the hug, “Okay.”

TBC…