“Well Bette I hope the other guy looks worse than you do. But I sure as hell don’t know if they could feel any worse than you look right now.”

Bette never said a word back to Tina until they were outside the police station. “Tina you didn’t have to come down and bail me out. I could have stayed there. It’s not like their getting a cherry you know.”

“Bette cut the shit…you know I wouldn’t leave you locked up in jail during the holiday. Bette I love you…and I want to know what you heard that made you run…what hurt you so bad that you had to tie one on last night?”

“Tina, Rachel is your best friend, and I know she stuck by you when your own family turned their back on you when you really needed them, for a second time, because of me. I know you love Rachel for the support, and friendship she has given you…I don’t want to come in between your relationship…you should not be forced to chose between me and someone else that you love again…especially when the things she said about me are true T…I will drag you down.

You have accomplished so much with your life… I am so proud of you Tina. And you should not be expected to give it all up for me…again.”

“Yes Bette, Rachel said some terrible things because she is concerned and loves me, but I am a big girl Bette and I chose who I love, and I love you. Did you stick around long enough to hear what I said to her? Bette I know that I am the reason you became so sick. I know it was because I left.”

“No Tina it is not your fault. I AM THE ONE WHO CHOSE TO NUMB MY PAIN USING DRUGS AND ALCOHOL! I am the one who thought sharing my pain was showing weakness. Hell Tina you don’t want someone like me…I am fucked up and always will be. Look at me; at the first sign of rejection, I crawl back down into a dark hole. Is that who you want to spend the rest of your life with? Is that the kind of person you want to be your daughter’s other mother? Well news flash Tina I won’t let you…not this time!

“Bette did you not learn anything from your time in rehab? Addiction is a disease and it is something you will fight daily. Bette you don’t have to do it alone…I am here to help you if you will let me. Bette you are strong and I know together we will over come the hurdles and in the end we will be stronger for it.”

“Don’t misunderstand me Bette, I don’t want the same kind of relationship we had years ago. The kind where you felt it was your responsibility to right all the wrongs, carry all the responsibility financial and otherwise, protect me from all hurts by keeping things hidden from me.

Bette we are different people now and I am strong too. It’s time you realized that. You can lean on me when the world gets to be too heavy. I won’t let you down…I promise. But you’re never going to know if you can trust me until you try. ”

“Tina even the strong get tired. I don’t want you or your daughter to end up regretting that I am a part of both your lives.”

“She is your daughter too Bette, she always was. I was the one who chose not to let that bond grow and develop, or did you forget that? You’ll never know how sorry I am for the damage I did to your relationship with your daughter. It was wrong and selfish of me not to let you know and love her and her know and love you.”

Pulling into the driveway the conversation came to an end. They each exited the car in silence. Both had given each other a lot to think about. Bette went into the house to shower and nap. Tina went next door to get their little girl.