Chapter 2

Kit waits in the car to give me the privacy she thinks I need. It seems the longest walk of my life to the front door. I fumble with my keys but eventually get the front door open. I reach in and turn on the lights, let my bag slide off my shoulder. I am stunned by what I see, it is exactly the same, well kept, not a thing out of place, even fresh flowers but it feels empty and it's not hard to work out why. I wonder of Tina did this or employed someone else, why would she bother ? Employing someone else is not her style. I know it was her. I take a deep breath and wait for the onslaught of emotions. I wander about running my hands over the couch, we made love here and there. I feel a mixture of emotions, happiness to be home, aloneness without Tina, scared about facing the others but exhilarated by the idea of no longer being held captive by what happened between us. I am sorry, I said it a thousand times, I told Tina to take whatever she wants, I did what I could to make it right. Now my desire is to move forward. I realize Kit is still in the car, I call out to her and wave her in. I can tell she is stunned to by what she sees.

 Kit : "How does it feel baby girl ?" As she looks around and takes it in.

 Bette : "Good, really good Kit. Thanks for picking me up Kit, you know I really appreciate it."

 Kit : "No problem baby sis. Listen as much as I want to see you and hear all about everything, I think I might leave you to it tonight, unless you want me to stay. And we can catch up tomorrow." Kit is halfway out the room.

 Bette : She read my mind "Would that be OK, I really feel I need to."

 Kit : "Bette, it's done." With that she hugged me and left, quietly closing the front door.

 I wandered through the kitchen, put my things in the guest room where I would be sleeping and went out to the back garden. This was Tina alright, I know it anywhere, she didn't hire anyone, Tina had been looking after the house herself. I suddenly felt alone and I marveled at how that could be so in a city where I knew so many. I poured myself a glass of wine and sat out the back, looking at the lights and stars and taking in the LA warmth and noise. Hours must have gone by because when I checked the clock it was nearly 2am LA time. I didn't feel tired.

I shower and throw on some smart jeans and a tee shirt, I put my hair and make my way to Milk. If the others are there, so be it, sooner or later we will have to deal with each other. I know it is getting late because when I get there the crowd has thinned out. There are those with someone or trying to pick someone up. I order a dry Martini and take a look around.

Shane : "Bette, Jesus Christ Bette, is that really you ?" Shane just about squashes me in the hug, momentarily losing her composure. She regains it just as quickly.

 Bette : "Hey Shane. It is really me"

 Shane : "when did you get in, do the others know, they aren't here, I mean here at Milk"

 I am momentarily relived and disappointed.

 Shane : "Lets blow this joint and go catch up"

 Bette : "what about her ?" I lean my head in the direction of the woman Shane was with.

Shane : "Give me two minutes"

True to her word, two minutes and she was back. I told Shane I was staying at the house and we made our way there, grabbing some beers on the way. We sat on the front steps like we did when things were bad. We drank and smoked and mostly caught up but the question hung in the air like the great white elephant in a room.

Bette : "How is she Shane ?"