“I have to fix this Alice,” Bette responded “losing her is not an option.”

“I’m not sure that she’s yours to lose anymore.” Alice said.

“Don’t you dare say that to me!” Bette stated harshly “Tina is my partner and I will do whatever it takes to make this right.”

“I’ve seen you make some incredible come backs but I really don’t know how you’re going to pull this one off” The comment was like a blow to the stomach for Bette. She took a deep breath and composed herself before continuing.

“What did you ring for Alice?”

“She’s going to see a lawyer today about splitting your assets. She’s adamant that it’s over Bette. I’m sorry to be the messenger but I thought you should know.”

Bette’s mind raced to make sense of it all. What was Tina thinking? How could she just give up so easily?

“Al?”

“Yeah”

“Don’t let her leave. I’ll be there in ten minutes. This has gone on long enough.”

Bette disconnected the call before Alice had the chance to protest and dialed work.

“Bette Porter’s office” James answered

“James it’s me”

“Oh hi Bette”

“Listen I won’t be in today so clear my schedule”

“But you’ve got that appointment with Steve…”

“I know and you’re just going to have to reschedule it along with anything else…I won’t be in today”

“You’ve been doing this a lot lately Bette, what am I supposed to say?”

“James, you’ll think of something, you always do. I’ve gotta go. Bye”

Again she hung up without waiting for a response. Bette was sick to death of talking to everyone except the one person who mattered. It was just meaningless words, she gave no thought to her responses, not caring who was pleased or offended, what they thought didn’t matter. The rest of Bette’s life hung in the balance and she wouldn’t wait any longer to see Tina. They had to sort this out.

Nerves began to get the better of Bette as she walked through the front door of Alice’s apartment block. She hurried up the staircase to the first floor and found Alice outside her front door.

“Boy, you weren’t joking when you said ten minutes were you!” Alice quipped

“There’s too much at stake here, this has to be sorted out, Al”

“What, she’s after half the house so now you decide it’s time to sort this out?” The comment was good natured but still not entirely appreciated.

“I’ve been trying to give her space Alice, that’s what everyone keeps telling me to do!”

“Since when did Bette Porter heed the advice of us mere mortals?”

“Since I screwed up so badly with actions that I don’t even recognize as my own” Bette responded quietly “Have you told her I was on my way over?”

“Yeah, she overheard me talking to you so she’s kinda pissed at me for telling you about the lawyer”

“Well let’s hope that takes some of the heat off me then” Bette smiled wryly and Alice grinned back.

“I figured that I’d head down to The Planet and see if any of the usual suspects are hanging around.” Alice waived her arm in the vague direction of the street and began to make her way toward the staircase “Call me OK? I want to know when it’s safe to come home.”

“Sure thing” Bette replied, thankful for her understanding.

“And Bette?” Alice continued walking without looking back.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t even think about throwing any of my stuff…you break it, you replace it”

Bette turned back to face the door to Alice’s apartment, took a deep breath and knocked. Bette was nothing short of terrified of what was going to happen once she crossed the threshold. There is a short pause after she knocks before the door opens to reveal Tina.