Her phone beeped and this time it was a text from Alice . Bette this is so not cool to keep your friends waiting. Call me,….. better yet just show up. Lunch is getting cold.

Bette ignored the text and sauntered into the planet. Kit was at the bar and Alice, Dana and Shane were at a table in the far corner. They hadn’t seen her come in.

"Hey, baby girl" Kit greeted her sister as she walked over to the bar.

"Hey, kit" Bette said and kissed her on the cheek.

"You know you are late right?" Kit smiled ,"the gang have been going crazy trying to figure out what could be keeping you….They have come up with all kinds of scenarios and Alice …..well ,….you know Alice…."Kit laughed.

"Yeah", Bette said. "I know Alice well."

"What’s going on?" Bette said as she neared the table.

The conversation stopped. Everyone looked guilty.

"What?" she asked.

Alice said. "We were discussing your sex life."

Bette’s cheek began to burn."I see. And what, may I ask , is the nature of this incredibly high-minded discussion of my …..sex life?"

Alice again. "Well, mainly that you need one…. a relationship that is…."

Bette swallowed hard and sat down .No wonder people tended to leave their small neighborhoods. If you stayed too long, privacy went out the window. "And how would that be any of your business?"

"Hello," Alice said again, you haven’t been yourself for quite sometime now. Jody is not right for you. She’s……"

"Al!" Shane cut her off, beginning to get uncomfortable. "This is really none of our business"

"Yea ,Al" Dana said, "none of our business."

But Alice was on a roll. " Frankly , Bette, I would love to see you and Tina get back together ,you two so belong together."

"Yea, they do." Dana and Shane blurted out together.

They hadn’t realize that Kit was there until she spoke. "They sure do."

"Hello!, I’m sitting right here." Bette said frustrated.

She knew her friends meant well, but right now wasn’t the time to discuss Tina. She wasn’t about to tell them about this morning. It was none of their business. Plus it would require a lot of explanation. And she hadn’t yet figured it out herself. She and Jody weren’t in a relationship, but of late she was leaning towards spending more time with Bette. She kept asking to sleep over and Bette had always come up with an excuse. She had no intention of getting serious with Jody, but the woman wouldn’t take no for an answer.She was becoming clingy.

Alice again. "Angie needs her parents"

"Angie has her parents"

"Living together under the same roof and happy."

"Angie’s parents are happy Al"

"Yea right,"Alice said," keep telling yourself this , one day you may start to believe it."

Bette threw up her hands in surrender, " I can’t do this right now, i’m exhausted" Bette said and pushed back her chair. All of a sudden she wasn’t hungry anymore.

"Hey where are you going?" Alice asked, surprised that Bette was leaving. "You just got here."

"That’s it Alice, I just got here and already my head is throbbing… I need some fresh air." Bette said . "bye guys I love you" Then she left.

All eyes turned to Alice and they chorused together. "Way to go, Al. Now Bette is gone."

　

　

Bette took out her cell and got into her car. and placed a call.

"Heh, how are you ?… is this a good time?… can i come over?… i need to see you." Bette ended the call and started the car.