The next morning Tina woke up and looked to the other side of the bed. The pillow was empty and cold, she squeezed herself up into a tighter ball, burying herself deeper into the covers it was there she tried to will her body back to sleep. It didn’t work, she laid there with her eyes closed for the better part of an hour, hoping that she’d at least slip back to sleep even for a little while. The room was warm and desolate and every bit of silence was loud enough for her to hear Bette’s voice so crisp and clear. She could feel the time drag as she tried to will herself out of the bed. Taking slow steps, first sitting up, then throwing the covers off herself, then sitting on the edge of the bed trying to figure out what was the right question that was constantly running through her mind. Each step taking more time than the last. Why was she feeling so sad? Why did everything feel so tight and uncomfortable? Where was the girl Bette mentioned? When did she leave her behind to become the woman she is now?

She realized now more than ever that when she was with Justine she could feel herself slipping away. She would look in the mirror and look past herself as Tina Kennard, and just see Justine’s girlfriend, so-and-so’s boss, best friend to… She was everything except who she really wanted to be. She looked at the mirror and felt unbelievably sad, so sad it hurt to look at herself now. The tears rushed forward so fast that she couldn’t stop the sharp sob that fell from her lips as she looked at herself again. Tears that stung so deep she felt them burn her stomach first, she covered her face with one hand as the other clutched at her stomach, pulling at the fabric of her t-shirt, when she fell forward against the sink. She rested on her elbows on the sink and she slowly let her body fall to floor. The cold tile floor was the only companion she could stand as she cried for herself.

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“We’re so pleased to have you here Ms. Porter. We really think your presence here in Philadelphia will definitely generate some great new talent. And hopefully with your touch they can excel to great heights for our company.”