ALICE-  "Kit, you're right, but let's take it easy.  PorterPorter's never really ever done anything like this before.  She's been having a really hard time.  I thought that after what I had been going through in my own life that I wouldn't know how to go on.  She helped me to survive it and then I saw her starting to fall apart, just as I was regaining my strength.  With everything else, I hadn't realized how bad things had gotten."  (She turns to Tina)  "All this has just been killing her."   (Tina was staring off into the distance, her tears falling to the floor and her arms wrapped around herself as she sat down on the couch.)

SHANE-  "Well, it's going to be ok.  She'll be ok.  Angelica is fine.  She loves her more than anything"  (She looks up at Tina) "Pretty much more than anything or anyonemore than I've ever seen."  (They each take a seat.  Shane goes up to Tina and strokes her head and then her arm.  Tina simply bows her head a bit.  Shane sits next to her.  They all sit there in mourning together and yet in their own solitudes.  There was no more that they wanted to say or really could say.  This was a development of first impression and yet they had all somehow waited for something like this to happen, these past few months as they experienced the tension, the sadness, the awkward changes taking place that they hadn't really talked about.  The nucleus of their circle, of this circle of special and dear friends, was imploding, bit by bit, and they didn't know what to think or what to domaybe it was inevitableit was just change and it would change them forever.  They sat there in their respective silencesand then the uneasy quiet was broken as they heard a car pull up and car doors shutting.  Tina simply lifted her head and stood.  They all stood.  Shane broke the awkward silence of that moment.)

SHANE-  "Everybody just stay here.  TinaI'll go get Angelica.  It'll be easier this wayok?"  (Tina nods.  The others nod too and come closer to Tinaeven Kit.  Shane walks outside and stops on the porch, standing there looking out through the rain at her friend and the child in her arms.  As Shane slowly approaches, Bette's weathered and swollen eyes initiate what her words could not express.  Her tears flowed as she gasped and tried to control the lumps abounding in her throat and the sobs emanating from deep within her.)

BETTE-  "ShaneShaneII love herI'm so sorry"  (Shane walks a bit quicker and reaches Bette, grasping both of her arms with her hands.  She nods.)

SHANE-  "I know Bette, I knowIt's ok.  Things are going to be rough, but everything is going to be ok.  We're going to make it through this.  You know you had to come backthere was no other way.  Kit, Alice and Tina are inside.  I want you to stay here.  I'll take Angelica to Tina.  I'll give you my key and you go to my house.  I'll see what Tina wants to do.  But wait thereI think maybe the best thing is for everyone to leave.  You can spend the night at my place or I'll come over.  If you want, I'll have Kit stay too and Alice if you want.  It's up to you, but I think it's best if you don't go in right now.  Ok?"  (Bette just nodded.  As Shane extended her arms to take Angelica, Bette kissed Angelica's head, her tears streaming, and as she released her she released her sobs)

BETTE-  (To Angelica)  "I love youI'm sorrymamma just got confusedI love you little oneI will love you forever"  (Shane's tears were now forthcoming.  She gently took Angelica from Bette, and though this seemed the right thing to do, it felt like a most unnatural gesture and a very painful one for her to execute.  Shane slowly walked back to the house and opened the door, she walked in.  Bette couldn't move after Shane left.)

SHANE-  (She looks at Tina and talks to Angelica)  "Here you gohere's mommyyeah."  (As Shane approaches Tina, her silent tears are silent no more as she cries aloud and calls out to her daughter)

TINA-  "Angelica, my GodI love youthank God" (She grasps the little one in her arms and holds her tightly.  Alice and Kit let their own tears flow as they each pat Tina on her upper back.  Shane stands in front of Tina, gently stroking Angelica's head.  Tina moves a little backward and motions she wants to sit.  The friends guide her as she lowers to the sofa.)  "II should give her something to drinkI have her bottleI brought it with me"  (She motions to her purse on the floor a few metres away and then motions to Alice to take Angelica.  Kit goes to get the purse, but Tina interrupts.)  "It's ok Kit, I got itI think I need to standI'm feeling kind of weird"  Alice slowly takes Angelica as Tina stands.

KIT-  "Tina, what's wrong?  Do you want some water?"

TINA-  "NoI think I justI'm fine."  (She picks up her purse and starts to head back to the couch.  Just as she's doing thisshe hears the front door and her head rises.  Everyone else focuses now on the front entrance.  Shane quickly stands.  Tina turnsher weakness subsides, her mother's rage emboldens and all the muscles in her chest and neck tense up, like a nervous calm before an uncommon storm.  She turns and looks dead ahead.)

BETTE-  (She stands there, her tears aplenty.  She sees Tina's gaze and she heart skips a beat as it foresees, with dread, it's bitter fate in Tina's eyes.  She tries to gather her voice, her courage and her vision through the flowing tears.)  "TinaTOh my GodTI"

TINA-  (Her voice has returned to her and is meted out to Bette with a vengence)  "You WHAT?  WHAT???!!!"  (The others just staredthey couldn't move.)  "You WHAT Bette?  WHAT?!!!"  (Her eyes glared.  She started to move forward and Shane put her hand on her shoulder but to know availTina took another step)  "TELL ME!!! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID?!!!  'MY GOD?'YES OH MY GOD BETTE.DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU FUCKIN DID?  MY CHILDYOU TOOK MY FLESH AND BLOODYou took her from meyou wanted to take her away from me permanently!!!"  (Bette move a little forward, shaking her head and trying to speak but not finding her voice, just tears streaming down her face)

BETTE-  "II love her"

TINA-  "YOU WHAT??