—

The Planet: T-Minus 30 Seconds To Show Time

Tina and Dana had squeezed through the patiently waiting crowd after paying the $10 cover charge and purchased a CD for another $10.

They found Oscar and Esai at the same booth they had eaten in two nights before and each took a seat. Tina sat on the end that Oscar had been sitting in so she could keep an eye on the front door. She had been glancing around the crowd since she got there in search of the tall, dark, and beautiful stranger who was her dance partner last week. She sighed in defeat when she realized that Bette was nowhere to be found at the restaurant and lost all hope that she would ever see her again.

As she scouted the audience, Tina noticed that Nadia Karella, of a competing label, and Jodi were both sitting at a table not too far from the stage. Fuck me.

The lights then dimmed before a tall, slender woman took the stage.

“Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the Planet. My name is Marina Ferrer, and I am the proprietor of this establishment. We have a great show planned for you all this evening. A woman who is no stranger to this stage, you may have heard a few of her singles back in the day, or you may know her as our wonderful karaoke hostess here on Wednesday nights. I am pleased to call this talented woman and her talented band my dear friends. Please give it up for Kit Porter and the Stouts!”

The crowd roared with cheers as Kit and the band made their way onto the stage.

“Oh my goodness,” Kit said into the microphone as she held her hands over her heart to emphasize her next statement. “I am…just…so overwhelmed, you have no idea.” She began fanning herself with both hands. “Can somebody get me a drink please?” she joked to a roomful of chuckles. “Just kidding, Baby Sis.” Kit recovered, already knowing that Bette had one eyebrow raised in disapproval. “Ladies and gentlemen, my Baby Sister is streaming us live as I speak. If you take a look around there are a few cameras hooked up so people at home can enjoy the music, but she is stuck in the office at her desk for now, so everyone say hello and give a little wave.”

In addition to the audience enthusiastically cheering and waving, the band also waved to the cameras. “Hey, Little P!” they all called out.

It clicked. Tina stood from her booth and looked around until she was staring straight into one of the cameras.

—

KDG Offices

Bette had just hit send on the email when Kit and the band waved and said hello to her. As she smiled at them and picked up her iPhone and IM’d Leonard that his presentation was ready, she noticed out of the corner of her eye a shimmery silver top that caught the light and reflected it swiftly back into the camera.

Then she saw her.

Her heart stopped momentarily. All color drained from her face and she dropped her cell phone to the ground as she stared at the familiar beauty who was looking longingly into the camera.

Tina?

Bette heard the familiar scratch of Carmen’s album of the original version of Kit’s ballad that the band had launched into and Kit began singing the first verse of “Never Say Goodbye.”

Bette grabbed her shit and raced out of her office.