The smile fell and she stood up, folding her hands across her chest and walking toward the window. “This is the easy part though. In treatment you feel empowered and confident. The after care part will be difficult. That’s part of why I want to go back home to Sac. I think it will help.”

Bette followed her to the window. “It’s a good decision. I support you fully. Whatever you need, I support you.”

Sidney sighed. “You were always my best friend. Thank you for still being that. For being here. I’m overwhelmed at your kindness. Things between us have been so strained. And not just recently.”

Bette nodded, her gaze, like Sidney’s, focused on the waves. “I know. I know that if it had been me, you would support me as well.”

They were quiet, standing together at the window. Bette broke the silence. “I beat the shit out of Shane.”

“You what?”

“I did. I need to find her and apologize. I just fucking lost it on her. When I found out that she sold to you before you OD’d, I just went in on her. I ran into her at The Planet and it wasn’t pretty. Max had to pull me off of her.”

Sidney frowned. “Oh shit.”

“Yeah. I’m not proud of it. I was angry with you. At what had happened. But I was also angry at her for your overdosing. I took it all out on her. She didn’t deserve what I did,” said Bette.

Sidney replied, “My sins are my own. She never forced me. I liked getting high. I liked the rush. She was discreet and local. A great combination. Also part of why I need to get my ass out of town.”

Bette said, “I understand.”

“Where are the two of you going? You and Tina?” asked Sidney.

“Just a little vacation.”

Sidney smiled. “You won’t tell me where.”

Bette shrugged, smiling. “Maybe I like to keep you in suspense.”

“If she ever hurts you, she’ll live to regret it. Those are words you can trust,” said Sidney.

Bette looked at her wife. “You’d hurt her?”

Sidney smiled. “Hell yes. But that’s not what I meant. Anyone who’s dumb enough to hurt you and not realize what a gift they have….they will live to regret it.”

Bette just nodded and looked back to the water.

“I’m bringing James in as partner. I need someone with the same level of autonomy as you had.”

Sidney replied, “That’s wise. He’s excellent. And he’s loyal.”

“I’ve been thinking. You don’t have to sell me your half of the gallery. We can set up a silent partnership. Maybe collaborate in the future. We were a fantastic team,” said Bette.

The blonde artist nodded. “I think I’d like that. It takes some of the pressure off. Helps speed things along.”

“It does.”

“I heard Despondent went well,” said Sidney.

“Alice?”

“Alice.”

Bette smiled. “It did. We pulled it off. Daddy asked about you. Said he wanted to congratulate ‘Ms. Davis’ on her art work.”

Sidney chuckled. “Oh, what an endearing father-in-law.”

“He had a new woman on his arm. I didn’t know her.”

Sidney winked at her. “He keeps a beautiful woman on his arm. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Bette blushed.

Sidney said, “Give him my best.”

“I will.”

Bette sighed once more. “I should probably be going. We have a plane to catch. I left gifts for everyone under the tree. You’ll see it once you get home.”

Sidney nodded, her eyes watering again. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“Sidney, I um….I need a clean break. I need some time apart from you. Really apart from you, to grow on my own.”

The blonde sighed deeply. “I know you do. It’s healthy for you. For both of us. You can’t be my emotional support system. And I need to learn not to lean on you.”

Bette wasn’t at a point where she could hug the woman at her side, but she did offer her a shy smile before she winked at her and walked away.