“Really?” asked Alice.

“I have. You’ve really grown on me this last year.”

“Alice, I’ve missed you too. Well….I think you know what this calls for,” said Tina.

“What’s that?” asked Alice.

Tina smiled brightly. “Group hug!”

The three friend’s embraced one another and for the first time in a long time, a sense of calm washed over their union. When they separated, there were more hugs and a few tears.

“Well, the good news is at least you guys will be together. I’m the only one leaving the damn West coast,” said Bette.

“True. You’ll be gone but not forgotten, Babe,” Tina replied.

“Dana and I will keep her safe for you,” said Alice.

Bette smiled, tears standing in her eyes. “You better.”

Alice sighed deeply and asked, “Are we cool? I know things have been a little strange with me lately, but are we cool?”

Bette looked at Tina before the blonde replied, “Yeah. We’re cool.”

“Good. I know I haven’t been the best of friends to you guys, and I’m sorry. I’ve been kind of MIA.”

“Yeah, you have,” said Bette.

Alice raked a hand through her short locks. “I’ll make it up to you. I can help you pack.”

Tina and Bette responded in unison. “Deal!”

The friends went back to the task of packing and as they packed, they talked.

“Bette, how are things with your dad? Any better?” asked Alice.

“Nope. Not at all. He’s still not taking my calls.”

Alice shook her head. “That’s not right. You haven’t done anything to deserve him being such a prick.”

Bette sighed. “I know. But Daddy is Daddy. He’s so stubborn and unrelenting it’s scary. I’m just glad that my mom finally stepped up.”

“You’re gonna have a great summer in New York. I know you will,” said Alice.

“You think so? I’m a little nervous.”

“Come on. You’ll be fine. I’m the one who has to worry,” said Alice.

Tina’s brow furrowed. “Why’s that?”

“Because I’m gonna be living with you and Dana. You’re gonna be all Bette-sick and Dana’s gonna be just as strange as she always is. I’m going to be the only sane woman in our apartment.”

Bette chuckled. “Hey, don’t be so down on Dana. She’s gonna get through it. She’s just got coming out growing pains. She’ll be cool.”

And as if on cue, another knock rapped on the door. Tina opened it and smiled widely at Dana.

“Come on in, we were just talking about you,” she said.

“Good things or bad things?” asked Dana. When she saw Alice, she replied “Oh, must be bad things.”

“Dana, come on. You know you’re my favorite tennis player,” said Alice.

“Sure I am. Probably your favorite tennis player in this room right now. Oh and guess what…..I’m the ONLY tennis player in this room. Your flattery is boundless Alice.”

Tina smiled. “Glad to see we’re all back to normal.”

“Well,” said Alice, “that all depends on your definition of normal.”

As the banter continued on, Bette smiled as she packed. She would miss this. Tina was Bette’s other half; her comfort and solace from the world around them. And in Tina she found a partner for life. When their twosome expanded to include Alice and Dana, Bette felt herself part of a small family.

Somehow, their quartet had overcome the differences that had once separated them. An inherent longing to spend their last ULCA freshman hours in each other’s presence had overpowered the minor issues that divided them. Their laughter, smiles, and inside jokes fueled a sense of belonging within Bette and the fear of losing the peace she now felt bubbled up within and cast a shadow over their time together.

Bette looked at her lover and closest friends and chewed nervously on her lower lip. Unanswered questions raced through her mind.

How in the hell was she going to get through the summer?

Would they all still be friends when they returned in the fall?

Would she and Tina really be okay?

And most importantly, why was Eric calling all of a sudden?

TBC (To Be Continued)