She pondered the woman’s words, mulling the options presented to her. On one hand, she could work it out with Tina and see where their newfound conciliation will take them. On the other hand, she could work to build a friendship with Tina and focus on a relationship with Barbara.

The woman was a breath of fresh air for Bette. Barbara had the uncanny ability to show up at the right moment, helping her work through her quandaries when she was facing some herself.

“Bette, you don’t have to make up your mind today,” Barbara said when she saw how much Bette was struggling. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Yes, but neither is the problem,” Bette countered. “I just want to make everyone’s lives easier.”

“What about yours? What do you want to do?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll work too much, spend too little time with Angelica and you’ll resent me for making you into a ghost of the original you.”

“Bette, stop,” Barbara held up her hand to stall the woman. “Answer me this: Ever since Angelica was born, have you rearranged your schedule to spend time with her?”

“Yes, of course,” Bette frowned. “That doesn’t mean anything, Barbara. I work too much; I will only hurt the people around me.”

“Maybe, but the people who love you, the ones who truly do, will not leave you to your self-imposed solidarity,” the woman asserted. “Your love is too precious to keep to yourself.”

“I gave my love to a person once. She left it on the curb and stomped on it many years later,” Bette said flatly.

“Now you can share it with Angelica. And me,” Barbara added softly.

“I want to. But…”

“But you’re worried it’s not fair to ask me to wait while you try to sort things out with Tina?” Barbara prodded further.

“Something like that,” Bette shrugged.

“Are you afraid I might not be able to handle it or are you afraid in doing so, you have to face the reality it really is over between the two of you?”

“A little bit of both,” Bette replied truthfully. “I want you, but I still love Tina. Does that make sense?”