“Hey T, what’s up?”

“Hey Shane, nothing I was just wondering if the kids are still with you and the girls?”

“Uh, no we umm, left the kids with Alice she said she was gonna bring them home. Why, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing I hope it’s just that the house is empty and Bette’s not here she didn’t leave a note or anything.”

“Do you want me to call Alice…”

“No, no, no I’ll call her thanks anyway Shane. Good night.” she hung up before Shane could reply. She dialed Alice’s number and it rang a couple of times and she was about to hang up when Alice’s rushed voice came through.

“Hello, hello? Tina?”

“Yeah Al.”

“Hey Tina what’s up?”

“Where are my children Alice?”

“They’re with me. Bette didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what Al?”

“They’re spending the weekend with us. Tasha’s gonna drop off Azi at Pre-school and I’m taking the twins.”

“No she didn’t tell me, but that’s not a fucking surprise.” she exhaled and knew that Alice had nothing to do with that whole situation. “Thanks Al I appreciate it.”

“No problem T.” Tina heard her children laughing in the background with Tasha. “Hey T I gotta go.” Tina heard Alice make a monster sound and Azi screamed and giggled before the call disconnected.

“Bye.” she whispered into the loneliness of her home.

　

……………………………..

　

Ironically the one person who was the catalyst for the entire relationship had become a valued family friend over time. Justine was always willing to view everything from the outside in with either Bette or Tina. She knew each of them personally and always had no problem telling the other if they were wrong or not. Her detachment from them over the years allowed her to give an unbiased opinion whether or not they wanted to hear it.

Bette was standing in Justine’s kitchen holding her second glass of wine while her eyes were lost on nothing in particular. Justine noticed how Bette would drift off and her mind would take her places she was always unwilling to share.

“Hey!” she yelled. That snapped up Bette’s attention. “Where did you go?” she looked up at Bette’s eyes and they were here with her but she was still elsewhere