At Bettes house

Kit was in the kitchen making some coffee. She was waiting for Ivan to arrive with the groceries since Bette had been living on take-out for several days now. Bette was outside watering the plants. Kit had been blindsided by Bettes revelation the previous night. She and Ivan had come by to pay Bette and Tina a visit. She wanted to wait a few days after the show to give the two of them some time to recuperate. What she found instead devastated her. Despite being the eldest, Kit had always admired Bette, secretly wishing she could be more like her. Kit was still processing everything Bette had told her as she watched the coffee drip. Okay, heres the grub, the sound of Ivans voice had become familiar, but it still startled Kit a bit. Bette came in right behind Ivan, and started helping putting groceries away. Well alright, lets get some breakfast going, because let me tell you, baby sister, you are nothing but skin and bones.

Bette grinned slightly as she put the Perrier in the fridge. She appreciated Kit and Ivan coming over to make her breakfast. Her week off was almost over and Bette had spent most of it by herself. Shane came by every day to check up on her and bring her food. But otherwise she would drive around, going different places where she and Tina liked to spend time, trying to figure out what it was she wanted and needed to do. Alice had called a couple of times to make sure she was alright and to let her know that Tina was doing well. Is there anything I can do to help? Bette asked realizing there was nothing else to put away. Just then the phone rang. You can pick up the phone and get started on this, Kit answered handing her a cup of coffee. Bette walked over and picked up the phone, she didnt look at the caller ID, assuming it was Shane with her daily call.

Hey, she answered, taking a sip of her coffee. There was silence. Hello? Bette? answered the voice on the other line. Tina? Bette raised her voice in disbelief. The clattering in the kitchen stopped abruptly. How did you know it was me? Tina asked. I didnt, I thought it was Shane, she always calls around this time, Bette answered. She had begun pacing up and down the hallway. Oh, well, listen Im sorry to bother you, but I need to come over and pick up some more stuff, when is a good time to come over. Bette sighed, You can come over whenever you want. She heard Tina sigh, Id really prefer it if you could give me a time, Bette. Bette suddenly came to the realization that Tina didnt want her around, that she wanted a time when she wouldnt be there. Umdoes one oclock work for you, Bette asked her voice breaking a little. Yeah, thats great. Thank you, Bette. Bye. Bette heard the click and then stood still listening to the silence.

At Danas apartment

Tina threw the phone on the couch and returned to sit down at the dining table. She was working on her resume on Danas laptop. As much as she loved working at the center, she couldnt volunteer forever, and they werent currently offering any paid positions. She had contacted old friends and colleagues and had gotten some interviews and meetings lined up for next week. She really didnt want to go back to working at a studio, but for now it would have to do. She couldnt live with Dana forever and she couldnt see herself moving back in with Bette any time soon. She was ruminating on the idea of taking some night courses when she heard Dana coming down the stairs. Alrighty, Im off! she shouted as she headed for the stairs leading to the front door. Bye, Dana! Good luck and thanks! Tina shouted back and then she heard the front door slam. Dana had leant Tina her new Subaru so she could get her stuff from the house. Dana had some meeting with the Subaru people, so they sent a limousine to her apartment to pick her up. See how nicely that worked out! Tina recalled Dana saying.

It had all worked out nicely. The day before she had finally told Oscar about the situation with Bette, the super-extra-abridged version, and he had told her to take today off. And Tina, if you need to talkabout anything, Thanks, Oscar, Tina interrupted, But Im doing okay, as long as I keep moving. She gave him a little smile, the only one she could manage to pull off lately. He decided it was better to just leave it at that. She had been staring at the computer screen for while now, Thats enough for now, I guess, she said to herself closing the laptop shut. She decided to take a break and watch some TV; she grabbed some baby carrots from the fridge and lied down on the couch. She was missing a lot of information for her resume anyway, and she wouldnt have access to it until she went back to the house.

Back at the house

Kit and Ivan were cleaning up after breakfast and Bette was sitting by the pool holding the phone in her hands. She had been quite while they were eating, hearing Tinas voice had left her very shaken. She talked to me like a stranger, she thought to herself. Bette sighed and looked up at the sky. I need to do something, show her that I care somehow, I need to talk to her. Bette, Kits call drew her away from her thoughts, hey, you want some more coffee? Kit asked as she walked outside to sit on the lounge chair next to Bette. No, Im good, thanks, Bette answered with an appreciative smile. Thank you so much, Kit, Bette said after a few moments of silence. Kit reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, You know Im always here for you, baby sister. Bettes eyes welled up with tears, You are, she said thoughtfully, looking down at her hand being held by Kits.

Kit reached into her pocket with her other hand and pulled out what looked like a pamphlet. She unfolded it and offered it to Bette, The twelve steps are in here, now Im not saying anythingyou knowtrying to hurt you, but its kind of the same situation you know, trying to rebuild whats brokentrying to reconnect and rebuild relationships. Bette took the pamphlet looked it over, flipping it over and scanning it quickly. Kit took a deep breath and continued, I figured it could give you some direction, you knowbecause we all make mistakesand I knowI just know in my heart, she lifted Bettes chin with her hands so that they were looking in each others eyes, that the two of you love eachlike, God made you for one another. Her voice was breaking and her eyes were filled with tears. Bette reached over and hugged her sister, locking her arms tightly around her, while Ivan stood in the kitchen, leaning against the counter and sipping her coffee quietly.

At Alices apartment

Alice was busily typing at her desk when the phone started ringing, ***** me! she shouted at the top of her lungs. It seemed like she was always interrupted when she was on a roll. She angrily turned on the phone and answered extremely irritated, Hello? Oh, good youre there. Alice recognized Bettes voice, immediately sitting up. Hey, Bette, whats going on? she asked in a worried tone. Well, Tina called a while ago saying she had pick up some stuff…and I was just thinking instead of inconveniencing you and everything, I could just bring whatever it is over there, she paused and held her breath waiting for Alices response. Alice was taken by surprise Wellum hmmm ok, so Bette quickly interrupted impatiently, What is it Alice?

Alice took a deep breath and decided to just tell her (the phrase honesty is the best policy suddenly flashed through her mind and made it up for her), Okay, so shes at Danas, but listen Bette she stopped when she heard a faint click. Bette? Bette? she again stopped when she heard the busy signal of a lost call. *****! she shouted, raising her hands to her head. She breathed heavily and started dialing her phone again. Hey Shane its me, listen whenever you get this could you give Bette a call, I just kinda told her about Tina being at Danas and she just hung up on me, and I figure its more likely shell pick up if you call. Okay, let me know whatever happens. Thanks, bye. She hung up the phone, and hung her head. Talk about ***** drama! she said turning to face her laptop.

At Danas apartment

Tina woke up suddenly, there was some sound that wouldnt stop and it finally succeeded in waking her from her nap. She sat up and looked around slowly, trying to figure out where she was for a few seconds. As she rubbed her face, everything seemed to suddenly come together in her mind, and she got up to go open the front door. She was still a little groggy when she reached the door and opened it with her mouth in mid-yawn. When she finally focused her eyes on the unexpected visitor, it was like someone had splashed cold water in her face