“Argh! This is getting me nowhere!” Bette said out loud, clenching her fists. At that moment she decided that she did need to know where Tina was. Trying to forget wasn’t the way for her anymore. She had to know and she had to make Tina realize that if given the chance, Bette would be stronger, listen harder and pay more attention. She’d learned her lesson. On that thought she turned at started her run back home.

She rounded the corner at full speed, her lungs burning, a faint taste of blood in her mouth – only three hundred feet to go until she was home.
“Hey, Porter!” Bette heard from across the street. She came to a screeching halt and turned towards where the voice came from.
“Oh hey… Al… hi….” Bette said, desperately trying to catch her breath. Al slammed the car door and crossed the street to where Bette was standing with a face twisted with pain.
“Damn woman… are you running from somebody or are you just living out your inner Flo Jo?” Alice grinned, “are you ok?” she added a little concerned.
“Yeah… I’m fine…. just a little… out of shape.”
“Bette… are you really – ok, I mean? I haven’t seen you in ages. You don’t return any of my calls. I worry you know,” said Alice, wanting to reach out and touch her estranged, but at the moment very sweaty, friend.
Bette didn’t know how to answer Alice’s heartfelt question so instead she just shrugged.
“Where are you off to, Al?” she asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from her present state of health.
“To Shane’s… for a beer and some pizza. It’s just gonna be the two of us. Carmen has a gig and Jenny is out of town. Wanna come?”
Bette quenched her initial reluctance, “Sure Al, let me just get showered and changed and I’ll be right over.”
“Ok then… ok, see you in a little bit…” Alice said, not at all successful in hiding her surprise.

While getting dressed Bette thought about how Shane had been a true friend to her since Tina left. Shane had never been judgmental and never chose side. She was just there every once in a while letting Bette know that she wasn’t forgotten.

When Bette opened the front door to Shane’s she walked in on a complete fit of laughter. The two girls were writhing on the couch with tears down their cheeks. Bette could feel the laughter bubble inside her at the sight. Alice jumped up and caught Bette in a gigantic hug.
“Don’t fight it, Porter. I’m getting my hug whether you like it or not,” Alice whispered close to Bette’s ear. She relaxed into Alice’s embrace and wallowed in the feeling of being held.
“Hi Al,” Bette smiled before she threw herself into a chair.