Kit has finally come to understand I will never move back to L.A. or work as hard as I once did. I explained to her the last time we talked that she could always come here for a vacation but I am finally learning to be happy and slowly making peace with myself. I just want to live each day to the fullest and take time to smell the flowers so to speak. I hope you understand.”

“Here I finally have a chance to start over. No one knows me or knows about my past…the good and the bad. When I walk into a room now no one expects a certain reaction from me and friends don’t expect me to live up to my reputation. Tina I always had to host the biggest and best shows the city of L.A. ever saw. According to our friends only the most beautiful women were lucky enough to share my company and I could have my pick of them.”

“But I don’t want that anymore Tina. There was only one woman I ever truly wanted and I lost her a long time ago. When Daddy passed away I realized all of the wasted time and effort I put into trying to get him to accept my life style choice and the life I had built with you. But I came to realize after it was all over how wrong I was. I was wrong to myself and to you for allowing him to continue treating you so badly while we were together and for that I am sorry. You never deserved that kind of treatment from him.”

As Tina sat there listening to Bette’s reasons she realized Bette was in a better place in her life now. She knew Bette had never opened up to her this much in all the years they had lived together or in their therapy sessions.

Realizing the lateness of the hour Bette began cleaning up their lunch remains. When she and Tina were comfortably seated in her car she asks Tina if she could drop her off where she was staying. Tina accepted Bette’s offer and told Bette she would be heading home on the red eye flight in two days. Tina pulled out a business card from her purse and flipped it over and scribbled her cell phone number on the back. Handing it to Bette she said,

“Bette call me anytime…I would really like to keep in contact with you.”

As Tina was exiting the car Bette placed her hand on her arm. Tina halted her movement and then Bette invited her to dinner at her place to catch up since her last night in town was swiftly approaching. Tina accepted and ask if she should bring anything. Bette declined but offered Tina a card from her purse with her work number on it. After writing her home address on the back she went on to explain that she did not have a cell number because she had no need for one but did include her home number. Tina assured her she looked forward to the dinner and would arrive promptly at 7.

Unlocking the door to her suite Tina went straight to her lap top bag and pulled out her computer and a spare flash drive. After she logged on she went to her pictures file and downloaded some pictures of Angelica and herself she had stored on her desk top onto the flash drive.

Calling the front desk she requested directions to the nearest photo shop. Surprised to learn that it was only two blocks away she slipped the drive in her pocket along with her key and started out. After the pictures from the flash drive were printed she selected two frames for her favorite ones of Angelica on the beach and playing in the back yard one afternoon in North Carolina.

Once back in her suite she grabbed her cell phone and dialed Rachel’s number so she could talk to Angelica before bed time. After comforting her baby and assuring her she would be home in three days time she said good night and hung up.

Lying in bed that night waiting for peaceful slumber to welcome her she thought of Bette and how beautiful she still was after all this time.