“Her name is Rosita. And yes that is who I am staying with.”  Tina admitted hoping that the information hurt Bette as much as seeing Bette with Candace had hurt her.

            “Your new girlfriend….”  Bette said with longing and she turned away from Tina and Tina gritted her teeth.  She was venomous she wanted Bette to hurt, but this was more than she’d bargained for.

            “Piss you off that I found someone huh?  Did you think I’d pine away for you, grow old and alone?  ***** you Bette!  You are the one that was out ***** and sucking and I was the one at home.  Not the other ***** way around!”  Tina said pulling the plug on the tub and grabbing a towel, letting Bette struggle to her own feet.

            “I didn’t say that.”  Bette offered as Tina wrapped her up in the soft white bath towel.  Going from caring to unaffectionate in a matter of moments.

            “Good because it’s not going to happen.  I have a great new job, I have…”  She stammered wanting to say a new girlfriend but that was a down right lie.  “I have a life one that no longer includes you.”  Finished Tina as Shane came into view.  Shane‘s jaw was clenched as she wanted desperately to say something, but she didn’t know what to say.

            “Some of the stuff is picked up but I had to open the windows.  This place needs a hosing down, no offense Bette.  It smells like a ***** crack house.”  Bette was sobering up now and she tried to touch Tina again and she flinched at the attempt, moving away before she could put her hand on her cheek.

            “I’m so sorry Tina.  This is my fault, everything, your pain your coldness, it’s all my fault.”  Bette admitted she looked out the window to the pool and saw the other ‘Tina‘ there, and she blinked.  She was still crazy she was still seeing her, and now there was two of them.

            “I know you are Bette.”  Tina said gently for the first time her voice soft and caring.  Bette looked outside and saw the image waver out of existence and she sighed with relief.

            “Come home?”  Bette offered and asked and begged and Tina just looked at her as Shane stood back, waiting for the answer that she was hoping would come.

            Tina said nothing she merely walked out the sliding glass doors and walked to the front of the house just as Rosita pulled up along the curb.  Tina stopped looking at Bette who’d stepped through the doors and was watching her and then looking at Rosita as she stepped from her car.  Rosita spotted Tina knowing that was Bette‘s house, her old home.  She simply smiled leaning against her car and crossing her long dark arms. 

            Tina was caught between a rock, and a very hard place.  She had to choose, rebuild her life with Bette and her baby.   Or start a new life even as Rosita’s friend and her baby.  She bit her lip, rubbed her face and thought to herself.

            Choices.

*****

End Of The Line

7/7/04

I don’t remember

When words were merely words

I’m an enigma

Don’t try and figure me out

I’ve destroyed my life

But that certainly isn’t enough

You’re next

On my list of ruins

One more soul

To my list of hundreds

Wear your heart on a your sleeve

Make it easier for me to take it too

Don’t fight, you’re mine for the taking tonight

You dreamt your world was crumbling down

I’m the one that set it in motion

Come to me and ask for forgiveness

You never saw it coming

The master of my world

I’ve arrested your heart

Taken all that means the world to you

Brick by brick, stone by stone

Now you fall down

With no one to pick you up

Now you’re at the end of your line

Do you beg for the rope

To hang yourself from?

Do you beg for the blade

To slash your throat?