Tina could hear Alice taking deep breaths to calm herself down and it finally sounded like she was done laughing. But Tina could tell that Alice was still smiling and shaking her head.

“That’s crazy. So, what are you going to do? How are you going to work with her?”

“Oh, I’m not. I fired her ass.”

Alice started laughing again which made Tina smile. They chatted for a little while longer. Alice mentioned that Bette was going to be on the cover of her magazine next month and said she’d send her some copies. Tina was grateful. She couldn’t wait to read it. Tina was suddenly sad that she didn’t know what was happening with Bette, at home, at work, with their friends. She had no idea.

“Have you talked to Bette today?” Tina asked tentatively finally working up the nerve. Trying to see if Bette told Alice she’d called her.

“No, not yet. I’m supposed to go over there later. Shane and Dana took her out to celebrate. Then they said she was going over to Kit’s.”

Celebrate? Again the pang of not knowing what was going on in Bette’s life hit her right in the core of her heart. The chasm between them seemed louder and vaster than ever before. It was deafening. Tina even wondered if Bette had been with anyone since she left. Maybe that’s why she didn’t answer her phone call last night. Maybe she had someone in their house. Maybe she was fucking her on the sheets she’d bought. Tina put her hand over her forehead and willed herself to calm the fuck down. She was spiraling and she knew it.

“What…what is she celebrating?”

Alice quiet for a second, not sure if she should say anything. Bette was very clear that she didn’t want Alice telling her about their conversations. She decided that telling Tina wasn’t a breach of that contract since Alice would be telling Tina about Bette’s news and not her telling Bette about what’s going on with Tina. Yep. Alice decided it was safe to share Bette’s big news.

“Well, I’m not sure I should be saying anything but Bette just landed a huge artist and she’s super excited about it.”

Tina was so proud of Bette. She’d worked really hard to put the gallery on the map as one of the top players. And she’d done it. The first thing Tina wanted to do was call Bette to congratulate her. But her heart couldn’t handle Bette forwarding her call again. It wasn’t time yet. She needed a plan and she hoped Alice would help her with it.