I see Tina with tears in her eyes and I don’t want her feeling sorry for me. I go to speak but she beats me to it.

”I’m sorry for leaving Bette. I’m sorry I didn’t stay to work through things. I was so hurt and heartbroken the only impulse I had was to get away. I ended up in Vancouver and that’s where I have been the last five years. And I’m so very sorry about Melvin. I should have been there for you. I feel so guilty” She says and looks down at her hands resting in her lap.

”Tina? I fucked up our relationship by stepping out and cheating on you with Candace . I will regret that till the day I die. I have no excuse for it and I’m not trying to come up with one. After you had your miscarriage I don’t know what happened. I just felt myself spiraling down into this black hole I couldn’t come out of. It cost me the only fucking thing that ever mattered in this world to me–You. And although Daddy dying was very devastating to me it brought Kit and me closer. You shouldn’t feel guilty about anything ok?” I say and I feel a tear run down my cheek as I reach up to wipe it away.

Tina nods and moves closer to me and putting her hand on my shoulder.

”Bette? It took me a long time but I eventually forgave you for your affair. I never knew what I did to make you turn to another woman..But I also spent a lot of time thinking about things and I played a part in the breakdown of our relationship also. And by me leaving cowardly like I did I realized that I didn’t have enough faith in our love to work through our problems. I’m just as much to blame as you are” Tina says and I look into her beautiful hazel eyes.

”I’m still very much in love with you Tina. I never stopped. And you didn’t do anything wrong…It was me…All me…..I only have myself to blame for fucking up the very thing that gave me meaning in my life…You….Yes I have been with other women. Just meaningless flings. And I haven’t been in a relationship all these years because the only woman I want is you. I am not trying to pressure you Tina. But I need and want you in my life. I’ve been empty without you. Just being with you today has made me feel alive again. You were always enough for me Tina and you still are. If you would ever give me a second chance I would spend the rest of my life cherishing you and showing you that you are my one and only.” I confess to her wholeheartedly and Tina moves to rest her forehead against mine. God it feels good to have her this close to me.