“I’m
not sure that’s a good idea.”

Bette
wasn’t sure what surprised her more: the words or who had spoken them. She
looked over to the bartender, who was busy at the tap refilling her glass. She then turned to look at the person
standing behind her. “I don’t suppose
you’d like to have a seat.”

“Normally
I’d say no, but I’ll make an exception,” came the quiet response. “This time.”

By
now the bartender had made his way over and eyed the newcomer with interest. “And
what can I get you to drink?”

“Nothing
right now, thank you.”

The
bartender shook his head. “You can’t let your friend drink all by herself.” He
paused. “Tell you whatthe first one’s on me.”

“My
friend seems to be doing quite well without me. But I’ll take a club soda if
you don’t mind.” Appeased by her change of heart, the bartender hurried off
before she could change her mind.

Bette
sighed. “What are you doing here, Kit.?”

Kit
glanced at her sister, before settling her gaze on the tall glass of beer. “I
could ask you the same thing.”

“I
needed to relax”, came the flippant response.

“And
this is the method you choose?” Kit
grabbed the drink as Bette reached for it.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“I
told you, I”

Kit
raised her hand to forestall Bette’s explanation. “I heard what you said.” She shook her head “Baby girl, are you out of
your fucking mind?”

“Kit,
I really don’t think”

“That’s
the problem Betteyou’re clearly not thinking.
I mean, if you were, this would be the last place on Earth you’d come to. For
fuck’s sake Bette, you’re si”

“Don’t
say it,” Bette warned.

The
bartender made his way back and placed the club soda in front of Kit. He eyed
the glass of beer sitting along side of her in confusion, seemingly unaware of the mounting
tension between the two women. He picked
up the beer and started to slide it back over to Bette when Kit reached out and
stopped him.

“She’s
had enough,” Kit said by way of explanation.

“Fuck
you,” Bette shot back. She grabbed her
jacket from the stool beside her and stormed out of the bar.

Kit
sighed and reached into her purse, pulling out a twenty dollar bill. She handed
it to the perplexed bartender. “Sorry about that. Hope that covers it.” She then grabbed an item off the bar and made
her way outside. She found Bette leaning
against her car, digging through her pocketbook.

“Shit.”

“Looking
for these,” Kit asked, holding up Bette’s forgotten car keys. “You left them
inside.”

Bette
shook her head, knowing full well that Kit wouldn’t just hand them over without
an explanation. “What do you want, Kit?”

“I
want to know a lot of things, Bette.”
Kit walked up to Bette’s car and unlocked the passenger side door and
climbed in. She unlocked Bette’s door
and patiently waited. Surrendering to
the futility if the situation, Bette opened her door and prepared herself for
what she knew was going to be a long talk.

In
a very tight space.

Just
how Kit liked it.

“Damn.”