With the sound of the front door closing it was so quiet in the house that you could have heard a pin drop all eyes were on Bette, as she waited for the questions to begin and as usual Alice was first.

“Porter what the hell happened last night at the club…we were all having a good time and then the next thing we knew it was fucking WWIII. Was that guy some homophobic fucker who was pissed because he couldn’t get in on the action you and Tina had going on?”

No Alice he wasn’t…there is a lot you guys don’t know about me…even Kit…although she knows some Tina, is the only one who knows everything…and if you will hold your questions until the end I will tell you…I don’t think I can tell this more than once…please.”

“Ok Bette start talking.” Alice said, as she made the universal sign for locking her mouth closed and throwing away the key.

Taking in a long breath of air and letting it out slowly Bette began her story… “As you all recall I am sure, when Tina left me over the Candace affair my world fell apart. I began drinking, using drugs, and anything else I could to get rid of the pain for a little while. Hell I even flushed my career…and got myself a really good start on a criminal record.

Shane you know what shape you found me in more than once. Alice how many times did I interfere with your plans for the night or later on bump you for money that you couldn’t afford to give. Kit how many times did you come to my rescue…too many to recall right? Well thank you all for being such great friends…I guess it is never too late to say I’m sorry…all of you here at this table have been a better friend to me than I was to each of you at that time.”

“Anyway…after the park incident Shane I decided to leave LA.” All eyes turned in Shane’s direction as if to say…what park? Shane only nodded her head to acknowledge remembrance of the time Bette was referring to, so she could continue the story uninterrupted.