Tina looked up teary-eyed at Alice, “Why are you apologizing?”

Alice: “Tina, I’m so…I just….don’t know what to say. Listen, come here.” Alice leaned back on the couch and pulled Tina up to her chest. Tina didn’t fight…she didn’t have any fight left in her. She fell into Alice’s arms and laid there crying as Alice softly held her head. Tina slowly stopped crying, but continued to be held by Alice. Alice’s chest and arms were warm and soft. It felt good; it felt good to be held and taken care of. Tina moved her head up to look at Alice.

Alice softly smiled, an offering of reassurance, “Better?”

Tina looked into Alice’s thoughtful eyes and leaned into her for a deep kiss. Tina didn’t know what she was doing. Alice’s eyes widened with shock, “Umm…Tina…Ummm.” But when Tina continued to kiss her she relented and pressed harder into Tina’s mouth. Tina opened her lips and felt Alice’s tonuge slide into her mouth and lock with her own. She moved her hands up Alice’s thighs, along her hips, and began to stroke her *****. Alice could feel it getting heavy. It felt good, but it was then she thought of Bette.

Alice pulled back breathing heavily, “Tina…Tina stop. This isn’t right. You are gorgeous and god what I wouldn’t give to take you in there and lay you down on that bed…..but we can’t. It would be for all the wrong reasons.”

Tina pulled away, “I know…I’m sorry.” She felt so stupid. What the ***** was she thinking?

Tina: “Al, I know it was wrong. It wouldn’t be fair to you or Bette. Because I would only be doing it to get her back. Not that you’re not…you know…I just feel like *****. I’m just weak.” She began to cry again.

Alice: “Tina, it’s ok….don’t cry. I know you’re upset. I know you are and I know that was not you.”

Tina spoke sobbingly, “You’re not mad at me are you? I’m sorry, Al…Please don’t be mad at me.”

Alice: “Tina, I’m not mad ok….it’s fine…I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now, but I understand you need to feel wanted and feel like someone cares about you…and I do. I really care about you. More people care about you than you know. You’re going to be ok. You have to believe that…and I’m here for you whatever you need ok?”

Tina slowly nodded, “Ok”

Alice: “Look you need to get some sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning. At least then you can think about everything with a clear mind. Come on…I’ll get you settled into my bed and I’ll sleep on the couch.”

Tina got up and followed Alice into the bedroom. Alice pulled back the comforter and fluffed the pillows.

Alice: “Do you need something to sleep in?”

Tina looked down, “No, I think I’ll just sleep in this I don’t really feel like changing.”

Alice: “Ok well, it’s all yours.” She turned to walk out of the room.

Tina: “Al?”

Alice: “Yeah?”

Tina: “Would you mind staying in here with me? I….I don’t mean anything by it….I just don’t want to be alone.”

Alice thought about it for a minute, “Sure uh..go ahead and get tucked in. I’m going to go turn off all the lights then I’ll be back, ok?”

Tina slipped off her shoes then sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. She laid down and pulled the comforter up close to her chin and let a tear slip down her cheek. Alice crept quietly into the room and slipped under the blanket. She laid there next to Tina’s shivering frame.

Alice: “Are you sure you’re ok?”

Tina wiped the tears from her face and forced the crying to stop, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Alice could sense the hurt and loneliness in her friend’s voice. She rolled over and wrapped her arms tightly around Tina, “Is this ok?”

Tina: “Yeah….Alice, I’m sorry about earlier, I really don’t know what I was thinking. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Alice: “I know you didn’t”

Tina: “I don’t want it to change us.”

Alice: “It won’t…I promise.”

Tina: “Well, goodnight.”

Alice hugged Tina and kissed the back of her head, “Goodnight.”