Tina: (Hurt and a little angry)I dont understand. You said you wanted me, you needed me yet when I offered myself to you cant have me.

Bette: (Turning away from Tina)No Tina, not this way.

Tina: Why Bette, because Im not her!

Bette: (This struck a nerve. Bette immediately snapped around)NO! How can you say such a thing? I promised you I would go slow. I cant break that promise Tina. I have to keep it to show you just how serious I am about us.

Tina: Even if its what I want?

Bette: Im sorry T. I have to earn your trust for us to last and breaking promises, even at your request, deep down would prove I cant be trusted. I cant do that to you or to us.

Tina: Fine, Ill leave you to get dressed. Ill be outside by the pool.

[Tina leaves and Bette sits on the bed in tears. Im sorry T., but I have to have your trust. I cant have you ever doubt me again. You are my weakness, but I will be strong Tina, this time for us. Bette gets dressed and goes to find Tina. Tina is sitting by the pool lost in thought when Bette comes outside.]

Bette: (Still a little upset by Tinas reaction)Look T. maybe we should talk about this.

Tina: (With tears in her eyes)Im sorry Bette. I shouldnt have said what I did. I guess my emotions are out of whack. I didnt mean what I said.

Bette: (Sitting down next to Tina taking her hand)Im seriously committed to winning your heart and trust again. Youre my weakness, but I have to prove to you and myself for that matter, that I can do this. You dont know how hard it was for me to stop what was happening in there. (Pause) I want you now more than I have ever wanted you, but I want it to be permanent, not just a heated moment. Please understand.

Tina: (Looking down)I do understandI just need to know that you still want me, and that you still desire me. After everything thats happened between us I cant help but feel insecure.

Bette: Im sorry TinaPlease give me a chance and some time and you wont doubt me or my intentions. I hope along the way your insecurities fade as well.

Tina: (Pulling Bette into her arms)I promise.

[The two women continue to embrace for a moment.]

Tina: (Pulling away slightly to look into Bettes eyes)Are you ready to take care of the bedroom?

Bette: (Sighing)I guess we cant avoid it forever.

[They get up and head into the house. Bette stops Tina before she opens the door.]

Bette: (Grabbing Tinas hand)T. wait. I just want you to know that I love you and no matter what we encounter in there, my love for you wont change.

Tina: (Looking into Bettes eyes trying to reassure her)I love you too babe.

[Tina leans in and very softly places a kiss on Bettes cheek.]

Bette: Ok, Im ready.

[Tina slowly opens the door not knowing what is behind it. That night is still so vivid in my mind yet everythings a blur.]

Tina: (Shocked)Bette, I thought you said nothing had been touched?

Bette: (Now in the room and very angry)It wasnt supposed to be. I dont understand, nobodys been in here except Kit and Alice. (Pause) Damn it Alice!

[Bette was expecting to find the bedroom in complete shambles. The bed was all messed up, pillows had been thrown, the sheets literally pulled from the mattress, and the comforter was all balled up. A vase had been broken, not to mention some of their pictures thrown to the floor. Then there was Tinas dress that had been torn off out of desperation and anger. None of it was there, it was as though it had been a horrible nightmare that didnt really exist.]

Tina: (Grabbing Bettes hand)Im sure theres a perfectly good explanation.

[Bette noticed a box sitting on their bed.]

Bette: (Walking over to the bed)Whats this?

Tina: (Picking up the note that had been taped to the box)Its a note from Alice.

Bette: (Still a little annoyed)Damn it Alice, I told you

Tina: (Interrupting Bette)Babe, its ok, lets see what it says before you get too mad at her.

[Tina hands her the note and asks Bette to read it out loud.]


I dont know which one of you will be reading this. I hope and pray its both of you, but at this point I have to be realistic. I have an idea as to what took place in this room and it saddens my heart. This was your sanctuary, your one place you could go and shut out the world. Unfortunately, my imagination takes me to another place after being here. Im not exactly sure what led you to this point, but I know you can go beyond it. It doesnt take a genius to see that there is still love between you two, you just have to find it again.
Bette, I see so much love and concern in your eyes each time you ask about Tina. Tina, I see it in your eyes and expressions each time we talk. I even continued coming over here every week, just like you asked, even when you ran out of things for me to get. I know you just wanted me to check on Bette. I know there is a lot of pain, and from the looks of this room, a lot of healing needs to take place.
Tina, I have been there for you, through all the sleepless nights and all the tearful memories. I did this so your healing can hopefully begin. Bette, Kit has been your constant through this terrible ordeal. She sat with you while you tuned out the world and she held you when your walls started to crumble. She wanted to do this so that one day your healing could begin too.
Porter, I know you said not to touch anything, but you know me, I dont follow directions very well. We could not let either one of you go through this again. We cleaned up the room but we placed certain items from that night in this box. If one day you decide to revisit these things and work through them, theyll be here. If you decide its too painful and torturous, they are all boxed up and ready for the trash.
Whichever choice you make, please remember that love, hurt and anger makes us do things well always regret. Please dont let whats in this box determine your outcome. We love you both and hope each of your paths will guide you in the same direction.
All my love,
Alice and Kit

[Tina just stood there with tears in her eyes not knowing what to say or do.]

Bette: (Dumbfounded by their love and loyalty)I dont know what to say.

Tina: (Almost mumbling)I cant believe they did this.

Bette: (Turning to Tina)You sent Alice over here every week to check on me? I thought she was just being her usual nosy self. (Pause) I had no idea. I always wondered how much stuff she was taking each time, since it took her so long to get it all.

Tina: (Not really hearing all of Bettes ramblings)Yeah, I sent her. At first she was leery of the whole idea. (Pause) She was upset and hurt over the whole thing, but she came around.

Bette: Why? Why did you keep sending her? Why didnt you ever come yourself?

Tina: (Now sitting on the bed)Oh Bette even though I wanted you out of my life, I just couldnt do it. Ill admit at first the thought of you or seeing you turned my stomach. But that doesnt mean I didnt still love you. When Alice would return she would always tell me something like, I saw Bette today, or Bettes been asking about you. Bette sends her love and Tina you should talk to her shes falling apart. I couldnt see you, but Alice was my connection to you. I had to know you were ok.

Bette: (A single tear runs down Bettes cheek)Im sorry Tina.

Tina: Bette, your were always asking about me, and always checking in with Alice didnt go unnoticed. I knew through your effort, even though you didnt know I knew, that you still loved me.

Bette: I do love you Tina.

Tina: (Reassuring Bette)I know babe, I know. Thats why Im here, I love you too. (Pause) Ive forgiven the past and Ill admit I may not be able to forget, not completely that is, but I want to move on, move forward, and I want that to happen with you.

Bette: (Pulling Tina into a hug)I love you so much.

[They hug tightly for a moment then Tina pulls away.]

Tina: What do you say we put this box away for now and deal with it once we are stronger?

Bette: I can handle that.

Tina: Bette (Pause) I want to come home, I want to be with you, but

Bette: (Now worried)But what!

Tina: I want to do it slowly, I dont want to rush back into our relationship and risk falling back into our old patterns.

Bette: (A little hurt, but understanding)Whatever you want Tina. (Pause) Why dont you continue to stay at Alices until youre completely comfortable recommitting and coming home?

Tina: You wouldnt mind?

Bette: I want nothing more than to have you here with me, but I promised I wouldnt push and I wont break my promise. (Pause) Besides, itll be like dating again. I can come pick you up for a date and you can ask mother Alice if its ok if you spend the night.

Tina: (Smiling and slapping Bette on the leg)Bette! You know Alice will never go for that.

Bette: (Laughing)Well see about that!

Tina: Bette!

Bette: Im just joking.

Tina: How about we get out of here and do something?

Bette: How does dinner sound? Would you accompany me to dinner Ms. Kennard?

Tina: I would be delighted Ms. Porter.

Bette: Ill drop you off so you can get ready and fill Alice in. Im sure she is salivating waiting to her from you. Ill pick you up around 7:30.

Tina: Sounds great babe. I really should talk to Alice. I know shes been waiting for this for awhile.

Bette: Great, Ill go get my purse and then we can go. Do you need some time to pack your bag?

Tina: I think Ill leave it here for my next visit. Besides Ill be back soon, Tina says to herself.

[I hope itll be soon, Bette says to herself as she heads into the living room.]