Yes since her head was now clear she realized that Tina had moved on with her life in a positive successful forward motion and Bette was happy for her. But Bette could not stop her mind from wondering if she was truly happy with how her life had turned out. During some of her sessions with Tina she had noticed that when she smiled it did not reach her eyes as it once had. A few times during a session Bette had tried to direct the conversation away from her and in a more personal direction aimed at Tina. But each time she had managed to be evasive and bring the topic back on track to Bette.

However Bette could not let go of these thoughts and so a plan begin to develop in her mind. She still had Tina’s commitment ring after all of these years. It seemed that no matter how broke she got or how bad she needed drugs or drink she could never bring her self to part with this last connection to her past. It was a constant reminder of a time in her life when she had felt truly loved and happy. In fact it was the only time she could ever recall feeling that way.

Fear of losing this last link to the happiest time in her life prompted Bette to go to a jeweler and have the ring attached to a short delicate chain which could be worn in her ear. She recalled the day vividly when she went to pick it up before leaving L.A. she had placed it in her ear lobe immediately. There it had remained for the last 5 years. Most people didn’t even realize she had it on because she made sure her hair hid it.

In her worst drug induced states she had money, clothing, and identification stolen from her but the ring she had held on to.

Taking it out of her ear she snapped it loose from the chain and stuck it in her pocket. That afternoon at the park with a group of individuals on a supervised outing from the hospital Bette slyly slipped away. Walking three blocks she entered the pawn shop and when she exited she had $250.00 dollars in her pocket. Knowing she had pawned the ring for only a fraction of its worth she was certain it was worth it. If nothing else but to ease her mind of the unanswered question was Tina finally happy with her life.

As five o’clock approached Bette made sure she watched the elevators leading out of the lobby to the parking garage for the appearance of Tina. Using a pay phone in the lobby Bette had called a taxi and it would be arriving soon.

As Tina unlocked her car and got in out of the corner of her eye she noticed a taxi waiting out front of the hospital. Thinking it must be there to pick up a released patient she started her car and headed toward home.

Bette entered the taxi and instructed the driver to follow the blue Honda pulling onto the street. After several miles she noticed they had began to reach the suburbs of a very quaint residential neighborhood.

As the Honda some distance ahead of the taxi slowed and pulled into the driveway of a small single story home Bette had the driver to pull over. Paying the fare she slowly walked down the street and up the sidewalk leading to the front door.