Bette sat and listened to Dani’s and Pierce’s efforts to take control of the growing media problem resulting from what is now being called an assault on Tyler Adams, Felicity’s husband. Bette heard a knock at the door and then saw Shane and Alice walk in.

”God they’re animals,” Alice said as she walked in.

”Sorry about all this,” Bette said with deep remorse.

”It’s ok,” Shane said

Alice turned and said, ”It’s really not ok.”

Bette looked at Shane and then at Alice and said, ”I am really Sorry”.

Alice had every right to be upset, Bette thought. She had put Bette on her show to explain her side of the affair with Felicity. Bette went on TV and said the affair was over and then it wasn’t.

”It’s complicated,” Shane said, as Alice looked at her with shock in her eyes.

”Holy shit, you knew,” Alice said with growing anger. ”This is so fucking worse,” Alice said as she stomped out the door.

Bette sat down and covered her hands with her face and began to cry. Shane sat next to her and tried to console her. Shane had become such a close friend. No judgement, just support. Not saying a word or offering a solution. Shane coming back to Los Angeles provided Bette with some grounding, something she had lost when Kit died and Tina left. Bette had always taken on the role of the strong one, putting her emotions aside to manage the situation. But in truth she was emotional, some would call it sensitive, hiding her insecurities that came from a upbringing by a harsh, unsupportive, emotionally unavailable parent, behind a powerful personality.  But keeping her feelings hidden was always something she struggled with and it had become harder over the years.  Maybe she was getting soft, either way, Shane coming home gave her the strength to persevere. Alice was great but when it came to a crisis she was really no help. Things inevitably became about her. Bette loved Alice, but Shane was right, Alice would get over her anger. She always did.

Bette shook her head and said defeatedly, ”I can’t do this anymore.”

Shane looked at her and said, ”What can’t you do”?

”I have to drop out,” Bette said with trepid conviction as she stood up and headed to the door. She was done. Done with this mess she had created, done with the hurt, done with disappointing everyone.