Alice: “I don’t think so”

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While Ben was in the bathroom Tina realized her logic was bullshit. The time apart from Bette was supposed to help but it was slowly paralyzing her instead. She had to take that step. Tina picked up her purse and took out her cell phone as she excused herself. Bette had just climbed into her car when Tina walked out on to the sidewalk. Neither of them noticed the other. Tina had just dialed Bette’s home number when Bette pulled out of the parking lot.

Tina waited for the machine to beep then took a deep breath.

Tina: “Hi Bette, it’s me.” her tone was quiet “Im so sorry for being an *****. I should have called you. I’ve just got some issues I guess……. I miss you. I hate not hearing your voice everyday. I know I don’t deserve to say these things right now but it’s the truth. I just need a chance to explain my idiocy”

Tina hung up the phone just as Alice and Ben were walking outside.

Ben: “Tina” he called, getting her attention

Tina wiped her eyes and turned around.

Tina: “Alice? What are you doing here?”

Alice: ‘I could ask you the same thing missy” she snapped

Ben: “Cool it” he shot a look at Alice. “Did you see Bette?”

Tina: “No, why?”

Alice: “She saw what appeared to be you one a date with a guy”

Tina: “*****. Ben, can I have your keys please?”

Ben: “Where are you going?” he questioned as he tossed her the keys

Tina: “I have to talk to Bette. Uh, Alice. Could you uh…” she gave her a pleading look.

Alice: “Yeah, yeah, yeah I’ll take care of little bro, again” she threw up her hand “I should start getting paid for this *****” she muttered before wishing Tina luck, for everyone’s sake.

Ben shrugged and went to walk back into the bar.

Alice: “You have a lot of explaining to do, Lucy” she said patting Ben on the back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bette walked in to the empty house feeling defeated. She couldn’t stand staying alone tonight. The silence that was once welcoming to Bette felt cold. She couldn’t understand what was going on. Bette didn’t have time to sort through her emotions, she was going to be in Pittsburgh tomorrow, there was work to be done. That’s the way it has to be. Tina made that clear. Bette called up the airline and booked an earlier flight, she had to get the ***** out of dodge before thoughts and little reminders of Tina consumed her. Bette didn’t notice her answering machine blinking when she made her mad dash for the door. She threw the luggage in her car and pulled out of the driveway.

Tina turned on to Bette street and slowly pulled up to the house. The house was dark and the driveway was empty. Bette was gone.