Bette finally caught Tina at the door to her room. Tina stands fumbling with the keys, anxious to avoid the confrontation with Bette. The day had been too much; the unexpected shock of seeing everyone again, the awkwardness and the icy distance between them all had drained her and she just wanted to escape into sleep.

T.. Tina, please talk to me. I dont understand why youre so angry with me right now.

Dropping her hands to her sides, she sighs and turns to face Bette. Tina can see the sadness in Bettes eyes and a searing pain shot through her heart. Irritated that her first instinct is still to soothe the woman shed once thought shed grow old with, Tina lashes out. Thats why Bette..thats exactly why. You dont understand. You still ride high on your morals and yet you dont see how youre the one that didnt live up to them. Or, maybe you do see, but for whatever reason you throw them at everyone else. It all feels so hypocritical and I just dont want to be around it anymore. Goodnight, Bette. With that, Tina finds the key, opens the door and is gone.

Bette stands staring at the closed door, tears crushing her eyes from their near bursting dam. Bette wants to rip open the door, apologize, explain. She did understand. She had always understood. It was her. She was the one that had failed. She was no better than Jenny or Marina or all the others she had condemned for their weakness..and she hated herself for it. She raises her hand to knock, but cant force her hand to touch the door, the only barrier between her and her heart. She didnt deserve Tinas forgiveness, Tinas love. She looks at the ceiling, taking in a much needed breath, before turning to leave.

*****************

Tina leans against the door, eyes closed, waiting for the desperate thudding of Bettes fist on the other side, but it never comes. After a moment, she sighs with relief, as she falls to the floor sobbing.

*****************

Oh, I didnt expect anyone to still be here. Bette is flustered by her presence. I thought another glass or two would be nice. Bette picks up the wine bottle and pours a glass, thankful for the task, desperate to avoid her sisters knowing eyes.

In a pre-emptive, defensive move, she callously stabs, Guess youre the reason they left the wine.

Kit briefly blanches at the comment, then lets the words roll off her, familiar as it is, she doesnt want to travel that path tonight. Yeah, but not for the reason youre thinking. I thought some of you might be back looking for a nightcap or two. picking up her cup of coffee, Im strictly caffeine these days.

Bette considers this and her hurtful words, as she grabs the bottle and moves towards the door in her determination to escape this night of unending confrontations. I think Ill just take this bottle with me, then. Goodnight.

Why dont you sit down, I havent talked to my baby sister in a long time. Kits voice is smooth and warm, almost pleading.

Bette pauses at the door now, and turns to face her sister. Thats rich, Kit. You want to talk to your baby sister. You think just because we share the same father, I owe you something. Well I dont. You dont know me, Kit. You havent since I waswhat..8? Isnt that when you turned your back on me? Started disappearing for days—weeks—on end. Started lying to me, to everyone? Used me to hide your drugs from Dad? Bette stares heavily at Kit, the full force of her anger now turned on her sister.

Kits mouth drops open at the unexpected attack and it takes her a moment to find the words. Okay then. Youre right. I made a lot of mistakes in my life, most of them I paid dearly for. But thats in the past and theres not a damn thing I can do to change any of it. All I can do is try to do the right thing here and now, right this minute. And Im trying to do that, but I cant do it alone.

Realizing Bette is still contemplating leaving, Kit tries again to break through the barrier between them, hoping once broken they can step through, together. Bette, please sit down. We cant keep doing this; why dont we take advantage of the situation?

Bette glances down the empty hallway, knowing that her escape is at hand and steps towards her empty room. Unexpectedly, she pauses and looks back at her sister and sees a woman, worn and tired, saddened by all that has passed between them. She turns and walks back dropping heavily into the chair; she stumbles with placing the glass down so that her hands may catch the flood of tears. Kit pulls her to her chest, You just let it out, baby girl. And when youre ready, well work it all out.

She says I dont understand, but I do understand. Im just like them, Marina and Jenny. I welcomed Candace just like Jenny did Marina, wanting to serve my own lust and need. Just like her, I didnt think, didnt care what it could do to T or to us.

Like I said, I made a lot of mistakes in my life and most of them I paid dearly for, but I think I finally paid enough that some good is coming my way. Honestly Bette, I think maybe youve paid enough for yours too, but you keep slamming that door and wont let the good back in. It hurts me to see you doing this to yourself.

Bette pulls out of Kits comforting embrace, sniffling, Did you see them and their quiet little looks and all that stuff Jenny kept spouting out. Theyre going to do it again, you know that dont you?

Kits words are tentative, afraid they will break this fragile moment, Honey, this isnt about Marina or Jenny this is about you you and Tina.

Bette leans back in her chair and sighs, closing her eyes in an attempt to shut out Kits words.

Bette, what they do is about them not you. You have to let go, quit hating them because they might be able to mend themselves. You have to focus on mending yourself. Tina cant forgive you until youve forgiven yourself.

Bettes words are barely a whisper, I dont deserve her forgiveness.

Kits heart breaks at the statement and she reaches out a hand to gently wipe away the fresh stream of tears flowing down Bettes face.

*****************

As the combination of dry, warm clothes and a welcoming, soft bed, chase away the shock of the cool water, Shanes eyes once again begin to shift between coherent and incoherent.

Drink the juice Shane, drink. With the last sip, her face grows pale, Alice warns them uh oh were gonna need a bucket.

Marina steps up with the trashcan motioning for her to use it. No sooner does Alice take it does Shane lean and begins to heave. Alice grimaces at the foul sour smell and the intense convulsions of the small frail body within her grasp. She holds Shane one arm securely around her waist and the other soothingly across her forehead, Its okay baby, let it out, let it all out. Jenny stands nearby with her hand tightly clasped over her mouth, watching the retching, witnessing the onset of healing between the two women.

Softly touching Jennys arm, Marina hands her a warm washrag, This is for her face.

Noticing the concern in Jennys eyes, Marina comforts her with soft eyes and a warm smile, Shes going to be okay. We will make sure of that.

Urging Jenny towards Shane with a small nod, Marina turns and moves to the tub, picking up the towels, carefully putting things back in order. Eventually, she settles quietly into the rocker nearby, gazing out through the bay window into the moonlit garden.

With Shane resting once again safely in the bed, Jenny notices Alice staring at Marina and begins to realize that this Marina is unknown to most. She was accustomed to a nurturing Marina, always having been there to support her writings, her whims of fantasy. She had known the kinder more supporting woman, hidden deep within the dark and beautiful elusion of the willful seductress the others so fondly clung to in their realities. Distant and dispassionate are the mysterious traits they claimed to know, displacing them to their own confidence, as if practiced by them and coveted by all.

She is amazed by Marinas calm demeanor, her indifference, always affording them their fanciful indulgences at her expense. Astonishment and confusion cloud Jennys thoughts wondering why, of all of them, she was the one chosen and welcomed into that part of Marinas so well masked life. Only tonight has she begun to see the truth. The fog is finally clearing, beginning to slowly lift with her own candid disclosure before leaving the dinner table, making visible the path of her new journey.

Later, watching and witnessing as Marina eases the pain and confusion in Alice, bringing her into the fold, gently and unaware. Marina enables Alice to mend her friendship with Shane while she stands in the background, careful never to dwell within their circle for too long; she remains on the outskirts within the boundaries defined as tolerable.

Alice has willingly accepted her role as chief healer staying close to Shane, caressing her face her arms, Shane, honey, why dont you scoot down in the bed and get some rest?

Shane accepts her consoling presence, relaxing in the peace of being near her friends. It is a dream, so long ago released, yet now a reality she gratefully accepts.

The room settles into quiet silence. Lost in thoughts of one another, eyes occasionally meeting in a fleeting glance, they embrace the comfort of each others presence.