Gee this breakup lasted five whole hours!  I have a feeling it’s not going to be easy to break up with Bette.  She’s like a bad cough that doesn’t go away.  Oye! Vay!  And I’m not even Jewish!

TINA’S APARTMENT

2:20AM:  Tina has her arm around Bette’s waist as she’s helping her to the couch. Bette lies down.  Tina gets a blanket, an aspirin and a glass of water, and Bette’s striped PJ’s for her to sleep in.  As Tina is helping Bette put on her pajamas Bette says,  “I’m sorry Tee.  They were going to put me in jail!  Tee you saved me!  Why do you keep helping me when I’m so mean to you?”  Bette starts to cry.  Tina says.  “Bette just go to sleep.  We’ll talk about this in the morning.  Please don’t cry.  Everything will be all right.”  Bette is holding Tina’s hand.  Tina is looking down at a lost little girl.  Tina kisses Bette’s forehead and brings the blanket up to her neck.  Bette kisses Tina’s hand before she lets go.  Tina turns the light off in the living room and goes back to bed.  Tina is thinking, ‘What am I going to do about Bette?’

2:45AM:  Bette is standing at the bedroom door.  Bette calls softly.  “Tina, are you awake?  Tee?”  Tina says,  “Bette I’m awake what’s wrong?”  Bette continues,  “Can I get into bed with you, please?  I’m all alone on the sofa.  I promise I’ll behave.  Please Tee I don’t want to be alone!”  Bette pleads.  Tina gives in.  “Okay come on get into bed.  But no fooling around, I mean it.”  Bette gets into bed and snuggles up close to Tina.  Looking into Bette’s eyes Tina sees the eyes of a frightened child staring back at her.  Tina takes pity on Bette and brings her into her arms.  Bette starts to cry softly.  Tina strokes her hair.

When Bette calms down she starts to explain:  “Tina … You’re so good to me.  I don’t know why I do such stupid things?  I don’t mean to hurt you.  It’s just that for my whole life everyone wants something from me.  Even when I was young, people would say I was beautiful.  What does that mean?  How can I be beautiful if I keep hurting the people who love me?  Everyone always wants to be around me. Why?  I don’t ask for it.  Women want to have sex with me, when they don’t even know me. I don’t get it.  The women never ask me how I’m feeling or what I want.  I just service them.  I’m tired Tina, I’m so tired of my crappy life.  You were right Tina.  I have no values.  No one ever taught me what values were.  I’m clueless.  Tina I don’t know what to do, but I know I want to change.  Will you help me?”  Tina gives Bette a gentle kiss on the forehead then answers, “Bette we’ll start in the morning.”