TINA

Tina flew into LA on Sunday morning and was surprised to find her own personal cheering section waiting for her at baggage claim. They were all there, Alice, Dana, Shane, Marina and Kit. You would have thought that Tina had been gone years by the way they were all jumping up and down. God, how she missed these women. They were all around her, hugging, laughing and crying. Yet for all the happiness Tina felt seeing her family of friends, she also felt a twinge of sadness, because one member of the family wasnt there. Not that she expected to see Bette, it was just with everyone else here, it was a reminder that their close unit was broken.

When are you coming back for good Tina? We need you here with us.

Tina gave Alice another hug. We finish shooting in two months. Ill be back then.

Yea Tina, you and Bette were like the nucleus of the group, only it was really you more than Bette, because she was always at work.

Everyone stopped and looked at Dana with an ‘I cant believe you said that,’ look.

Dana noticed everyone staring at her. What?

Tina just smiled and hugged Dana close. Thanks Dana. Thats the nicest thing Ive heard in a long time.

After piling into the van Alice had rented, they decided to stop at The Planet for brunch. They were all gathered around their usual table, talking, laughing, and peppering Tina with questions about the TV show and its stars.

Look, Im not going to talk about any of the casts personal lives. Im sorry, but its not my place. However, I will say that whoever Elaine Brown chooses to be with, is going to be one lucky woman.

Alice looked at Tina and got all excited. Tina, you didnt, did you?!

Tina laughed, missing this kind of banter with her closest friends. Well…lets just say…no, lets not say and leave it at that. Tina wiggled her eyebrows and grinned.

Oh…my…God! Tina you did the nasty with Elaine Brown!!

Alice was so excited she was chewing the ***** out of the straw in her mouth. Tina was laughing at Alices reaction and trying to swallow the sip of coffee she had just taken without spitting it all over the place.

God Al, you are so easy! Im just playing with you. I didnt do the nasty with Elaine Brown.

Aw Tina, you little *****! Thanks for bursting that little fantasy bubble.

Well, if it will make you feel any better, if in the future my circumstances ever change, I will be more than happy to fly to wherever Elaine is, and wont even take the time to pack a bag!

Even though they all laughed at that comment, Kit locked eyes with Tina and asked the question that everyone else was asking in their head.

Tina honey, what circumstances are you talking about?

Looking into the eyes of the woman who had been her sister-in-law for seven years, Tina couldnt help the tears that threatened to overflow. Feeling very vulnerable, but also knowing that she was emotionally safe with these women, she confessed.

Well, first I would have to somehow manage to fall OUT of love with your sister. Unfortunately for my heart, Im not any closer to achieving that today, than I was six months ago.

Dana opened her mouth and started to say, But Tina, Bette…

Alice cut her off with a glare. Hey, ya know what Tina? Lets get you back to my place so you can get unpacked and settled in.

Tina knew something was going on, but didnt want to get into it now. She wanted to talk with Alice privately before deciding how to approach Bette.

Back at Alices, the two of them got comfortable on the couch. OK Alice, what was Dana going to say at The Planet, before you not so subtly cut her off?

Alice reached out and held onto Tinas hand. She was going to tell you that Bette broke up with Candace two weeks ago.

Tina didnt know how to react. She took in a big breath and just kind of held onto it for a moment, before letting it out slowing. In a voice barely above a whisper she managed to say, She did? She broke up with Candace?

Alice was hanging on tight to Tinas hand. Yea, she did T.

Why?

Well, you and Bette are going to have to talk about that Tina, but I will tell you the same thing I told you over the phone yesterday, and that is…she still loves you.

Tina started crying. Alice, I need you to tell me the truth. Did Bette break up with Candace to be with this Mary woman?

Mary? Oh God Tina, no! Its not what you think!

Well, what is it then? Bette said she needed to talk with me about our future together, as well as our future with Mary. Im starting to get pissed off now Al. Who is Mary!?

Im sorry Tina, I really am, but I cant tell you that. Bette is the only one who can answer that, as well as all your other questions. You may or may not like what you hear, but it has to come from Bette. You really need to talk with her. I mean, its been six months since you and Bette split. During that time you two havent said one word to each other about what happened and why. You havent spent one minute talking about how you felt then and how you feel now. You havent talked about Bettes relationship with Candace…nothing! Its time Tina. I wish I could answer all those questions for you, but I cant today, anymore than I could six months ago. Meet with her, talk with her and start working through all this *****, because dammit, I want my family back!

Im sorry Al. I dont want to put you in the middle. Its just that right now, talking with you about Bette is way easier than talking with Bette about anything, even the weather. Tina took a deep breath. But, that is why I am here, right? I am woman, I am strong…yea whatever, whatever.

You are strong Tina, and even though it doesnt seem like it, you are in a different place now, than you were back then. You need to trust yourself, and you need to – and this is the hard part – trust Bette that she wouldnt come back into your life just to try to hurt you again.

She doesnt have to hurt me again Al. I have plenty of hurt from before that is with me all the time. Im just afraid that when I see her again all that pain is going to spill out and mess everything up.

Well T, whats the alternative? I guess you can go back to Vancouver, but youll just have to deal with this in two months instead of now.

I know, I know. OK, what is my first step?

You already made it Tina. You came home. Its all down hill from here chicky poo.

Yea, thats great Al. Lets just hope that I dont crash and burn at the bottom.

Tina decided to spend the rest of the day relaxing with Alice. She would call Bette in the morning and figure out where they should meet to get this big first conversation over with.


The next morning came way too slowly for Tina. She had tossed and turned all night, realizing at about 3:00am that she should have called Bette when she first arrived, because now the anticipation was driving her crazy. At 8:00am she was going to call her, but thought that calling first thing in the morning would seem a little anxious.

God Alice! Tina whined. I cant believe that I am still reacting this way to a woman who left me for someone else! I mean *****! I havent even talked with her yet! What am I going to do when I actually hear her voice?!

Quit whining and call her Tina. Im betting that as soon as you hear her voice, you will rediscover your backbone and be just fine. Now call her before I do it for you!!

OK, ok…geez Al Tina gave Alice a half hearted smiled and picked up the phone.

Alice started to leave the room to give Tina some privacy. Dont you take another step Alice! You stay right where you are. After that lecture you just gave me you are going to have to stand there and listen.

Alice pleaded with Tina with her eyes to let her leave the room, but Tina just pointed to the couch. Uh…hi Bette, its Tina.