For the first time in a long time I feel at peace. Henry, Helena, Candace, Jodi and Shana are the past and Angie, Bette and I can be the future. I can see her in my future. I just hope that both of us are strong enough to get there again.

Bette’s bedroom

I am finally in some comfy clothes with a glass of water and my phone in my hand. I doubt Tina is asleep yet but I probably should just wait until tomorrow to call her. It’s too late. But is it? Of course not. I doubt she has been able to put her mind to rest yet. Should I? Probably not but I think I’m going to. I want to hear her voice. I look at the phone and hit speed dial 1. Of course she never lost that spot and wait for her to answer.

“Bette, what’s wrong?” were the words that came out of her mouth when she picked up the phone.

“Tina, I’m sorry for calling so late knowing that I just left there. I just wanted to again thank you for seeing me and talking with me. I hope that you are ok with our talk and that I didn’t monopolize too much of the conversation and not allow you to talk about those things you may have wanted or needed to talk about.”

“Bette tonight was great. I really said a lot of the things that I wanted to say and although there are some more things, I think the important things were covered. Thank you for being concerned. It’s going to take some time to figure this all out so don’t stress about it ok?”

“Well T, I know you know who you’re talking to so I will let that comment go. How ‘bout I don’t stress too much?”

By the playful tone of her voice, I could tell that she was smiling. “I guess that’s the best I can ask for and that’s good enough. Bette, are you really going to be ok with us being friends if we can’t make this work? That is one of my biggest fears in all this.”

“T, I promise you that however we have to define our friendship, I will do it. If you decide that us being together is not possible, best friends, close friends, family…whatever. I will deal with it and eventually be ok.”