After her sweep through the house, Bette dully looked down at the collection of items. Would Candace want any of this back? Was this a total petty bitch move?

She decided that it didn’t matter. She wanted all of it gone so that Candace would have no pretext to call, or worse, track her down and come by, other than Candace’s own lack of dignity and self-respect. A clean break, Bette resolved grimly.

Striding out to her car, she shoved the box into the backseat and drove back through thickening traffic to Candace’s, not even bothering to shut off the motor when she arrived. Bette trotted up to the door and dropped the box rudely down onto the doorstep, quickly getting back into the car. She drove away without a backward glance.

Back home again, Bette ignored the ringing phone and immediately got into a hot shower, letting the pounding spray wash away the remnants of Candace. She used more soap than she needed and scrubbed at her skin. She got out and dressed, eyeing the clothes she had worn home from Candace’s. She picked them up, carried them into the kitchen and shoved them in the garbage. She had a sudden instinct to burn them, but pushed the thought away. This wasn’t Waiting to Exhale.

She went back into the bedroom and put on a new suit, blew her hair dry, and applied her make-up. She looked like herself again. She felt anchored again. She was Bette Porter, not that hollow-eyed, frightened woman whose pale, lost face she’d seen in the mirror at Candace’s. The one thing that never failed her was her inner strength. If she had to put on a façade for the world or even lie to herself to get through this, so be it. But she was going to get through this.

She checked her watch. 8:45. She had bought herself enough time to swing by The Planet before work. Seeing Kit would do her a lot of good right now. Her sister’s no-nonsense attitude and unconditional love were what she needed a healthy dose of this morning.

As long as Kit is around, I still feel tied to something. I need to feel close to someone right now. I just do.