Oh, thats nice Alice said to the laptop sitting in front of her. Are you mocking me now? Is that what youre doing? she asked the blinking cursor, flashing repeatedly in its inactivity.

I think you are you little ***** she said in frustration, the blank screen in front of her populated with nothing but her lack of ideas to sell to her editor for the meeting that was scheduled for tomorrow morning.

She slammed the laptop closed at the same time that the phone rang. Welcoming the diversion, she lunged for the phone which was lying on the sofa behind her. Falling back on the cushions, she jokingly said, And to whom do I owe the pleasure?

Hey said Tina.

Hey yourself. Whassup?

You busy?

Only if you consider staring at a ***** blank screen for the last 90 minutes as busy. If not, than I am completely free.

Feel like a visitor?

As in my period or would you like to come by?

Tina chuckled at the response and said, Come by, or come in as the case may be. I am actually standing downstairs hoping that you will buzz me in.

Ah, nothing like a little advance notice. Of course, consider yourself buzzed in she said as she did just that.

Tina heard the sound of the door unlocking and said, Ok, Ill be right up.

Alice hoisted herself off of the sofa to open her front door. Making her way into the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator to see if there was anything that interested her.

Hello? she heard Tina call out from the foyer.

In here she replied, face still peering in the fridge.

Hey said Tina as she threw her jacket and purse onto a vacant chair.

Hey replied Alice as she began to move around contents in the fridge to see if there was anything hiding in the back.

Seeing nothing, she stood and without closing the door looked over at Tina and said, You know, I dont know why I do this.

Do what?

Look in here as if someone has just mysteriously popped by and restocked my refrigerator. I mean, I just looked in here like 2 hours ago, and last time I checked, I was the only one living here and therefore, reason would lead one to believe that if things are gonna change in there, than I should know about it, right? I mean, am I crazy to deduce that?

Tina just chuckled at her friend and fell onto the sofa.

I think that thats a fairly safe assumption to make she replied.

I thought so she said as she plopped herself onto the sofa next to Tina.

Want something to drink? I can tell you exactly whats in there? she laughed as she jerked her thumb over her shoulder at the refrigerator.

No, Im ok laughed Tina.

So, whats going on T? What brings you to the doorstep of my humble abode?

Well she began, trying to figure out exactly what she wanted to share with her friend.

I had lunch with Bette today she said, looking at Alice.

Uh, wow T, thats great she replied, wondering if there was something that she was missing from Tinas one sentence.

Tina smiled at Alices response and said, The fact that we had lunch together is not really what I wanted to talk to you about.

Oh, I see said Alice, not seeing at all.

No you dont teased Tina.

No I dont admitted Alice.

Tina took a deep breath and said, Do you remember the conversation that we had yesterday about my being upset with the amount of time that Bette and I are spending together?

Of course.

Well, I called her on it last night when she called me.

Oh, now I seeI think.

So, what happened? asked Alice.

Well, I pretty much let her have it. I was really pissed because I told her that I wanted to talk about things and she suggested this weekend.

And?

It was only Tuesday night, Al. I mean, what the *****? I tell my girlfriend that I want to talk to her and she suggests that it happen like four days later? That is no way to handle things she said, anger becoming present.

No, youre right, but thats Porter, for you.

No, thats bullshit for you! Just because thats how she has handled things in the past does not mean that that is how they are going to be handled in the future. Not if I have anything to say about it anyhow she added, anger beginning to fade.

Well, I certainly agree with you and you are way more woman than me to take that on. God knows, I never even began to approach that with her

Which brings us to lunch Tina said quietly.

Alice sat there silently, waiting for Tina to continue.

Tina leaned her head back against the sofa and let out a moan of frustration.

*****! she exclaimed.

What? What happened? asked Alice.

With her head still resting against the sofa, eyes turned towards the ceiling, she softly said, I told her that I wanted us to live together.

After Tinas admission sank in, Alice said in both awe and admiration, You are ***** shitting me.

No, Im not chuckled Tina, eyes still focused at the sight above her.

SO? What happened? she asked as she grabbed Tinas arm to get her to look at her.

Tina finally peeled her eyes off of the ceiling and turned to Alice. What happened? Honestly, I dont know.

What the *****? asked Alice excitedly. What do you mean you dont know?

Just that, I dont know. I mean, we were having a great time at lunch, catching up, just enjoying being with each other, and then I told her that I had a solution to our problem of not spending enough time together.

Yeah? And then?

And then, I told her that I thought that we should live together and thats where things get a little fuzzy.

I dont understand. Why do things get a little fuzzy? What the ***** did she say?

Its more like what she didnt say Tina sadly said.

Ok then, what didnt she say? asked Alice gently.

Well, for starters, she didnt say yes.

Did she say no?

No she exhaled, she didnt say no, but not saying yes is basically a no, right?

Ok T, now Im starting to get a little confused here. Bette didnt say yes, but she didnt say no either. So, why are you sitting here on my sofa talking to me when the person that you should be talking to is the one that apparently responded neither affirmatively nor negatively?

You dont understand Tina moaned, dropping her head in her hands in frustration.

Ok, so make me understand Alice said patiently.

I told her that I thought that we should live together and she just looked at me like a deer in ***** headlights she cried, looking at Alice as if that should be all the explanation needed.

Alice said nothing, just looked at Tina waiting for more.

Deerheadlights? Are you getting any of this? Tina said in irritation.

Uh, Im getting that that is how you saw Bettes response, but what Im not getting is what you expected?

What do you mean? she guardedly asked.

Just that, T. What did you expect? I mean, this is Bette Porter here. She has never lived with anyone before and if I remember correctly, was it not you that said just yesterday, the mere mention would shake, rattle and roll, or something like that, her very foundation?

Well, yeah, but I mean

No I mean interrupted Alice. For being as set in her ways as she is, I admit, you would think that we were discussing some 70 year old man, but thats not the case. We are talking about the woman that presumably you wish to spend the rest of your life with, and quite frankly, you should have expected this reaction from her, or him, depending if we wish to think of her as the young, vibrant female or old, tired male.

Tina merely rolled her eyes at the last sentence, but knew that the rest was right on target.

T, I think the fact that she didnt scream no and go running out of the restaurant flailing her arms in the air, is a pretty good sign she gently said.

No, that would have been me she admitted.

What do you mean, sweetie?

I left her there when I didnt get the response that I wanted.

What do you mean, left her there?

Uh, just that. I told her that we must be in different places in our relationship and then just walked out on her.

T, you did not!

I did she weakly responded.

Where is she now?

Walking home I guess she said, cringing at her actions.

Ok, let me get this straight. You left Bette Porter at a restaurant, without a car forcing her to walk home. Did I get that right? she asked incredulously.

Yes she quietly said, continuing to wince at her actions.

Ok T. I know that you have lived here long enough to know that no one walks in LA. No one takes public transportation in LA, and no one walks in LA!

*****! she said out loud. Jesus, I really screwed this up!

Well said Alice, I gotta kinda agree with you on that one.

So, what do I do? she asked, looking at Alice as the lifeline needed to get her out of this mess.

You gotta go talk to her T, assuming shes home by now she giggled.

Thats not funny, Al she said, glaring at Alice.

Im not the one who abandoned my girlfriend in some public place, leaving her stranded to walk home in what I can only imagine to be 3 inch heels she said laughingly.

***** you, Al she said as she stood to leave.

T, cmon, Im just kidding she said, trying to stop laughing. Im sorry. I just cant get the image of Porter storming down the streets of West Hollywood, impeccably dressed, head held high praying that no one sees her.

Is that supposed to help? Tina asked, looking down at the sofa watching Alice roll from side to side with laughter.

Maybe she wheezed, pulling herself into a sitting position. At least youll have an idea of what youre in for.

Tina reached down in the chair to retrieve her bag and jacket.

Im leaving she announced.

Alice stood up and followed her to the door. T, Im sorry to laugh, but you gotta admit, it is a little funny.

Tina just looked at her and said, Maybe for you, but Im the one that fucked this up and therefore, am the one that needs to fix it.

No, youre right she said seriously. T, above all else, Bette loves you and if I were to guess, probably feels terrible right about now.

What do you mean? she asked, hand resting on the doorknob.

She probably feels like she really let you down or disappointed you in some way and if I know Porter, it is probably eating her up inside.

So, I ***** up, leave her there alone and you think that she is feeling bad? she asked incredulously.

Yeah, I do T. Thats how much she loves you.

Tina hung her head a bit and exhaled heavily.

I never should have walked out like I did she admitted.

Probably not said Alice. But you did and thats behind you now. You need to go talk to her T. Its really that simple. As much as I love the fact that you feel that you can come to me, its Porter that you should be talking to.

I know she softly said as a tear ran gently down her face.

T, come on she said as she gathered her into a hug. Its gonna be fine. If it were anyone else that had walked out on Bette like that, I would be advising them to be sure all of their affairs were in order, but this is you, and T, she loves you more than anything. She wants this to work, she wants a life with you. On that, you can trust me.

You think? Tina asked, slightly reassured by Alices words.

I know she said, giving her one last squeeze before she let her go.

Thanks Al she said as she opened the door.

Anytime she replied cheerily.

Ill let you know what happens she said as she turned to walk down the stairs.

Please do Alice said to her retreating form. Oh and T?

Tina turned around mid-way down the stairs and said, Yeah?

Tell Porter that if she is in need of a good cobbler just to let me know she laughed.

Al started Tina.

Yeah, yeah, I know she said as she continued to laugh. ***** me!

Exactly! said Tina as she made her way to her car.