She took a deep breath and stepped outside of the house. Once she opened the door, she saw a single red rose in a small vase standing on the welcome mat. A hand-written note from Candace was attached. It read, “I love you. Please let’s talk about this more.” The rose was a deep burgundy and just beginning to open. The distinct sweet smell of the rose moved across her nose. Her initial reaction was a muted smile but this was quickly replaced with mild anger at Candace’s refusal to accept her decision. Looking at the rose and considering its meaning, passion and love she dared not accept it.

She walked it to the nearby dumpster and threw it in. With a heavy heart she said softly, “Sorry Candace but we are over”. She backed out of her driveway with only one mission in mind, getting back Tina. She was lost in her thoughts and what she would say to Tina once she saw her. Determined to win Tina back. she did not notice Candace in her car watching with tear filled eyes as she drove away.

Tina arrived at the Planet finding the girls at the table. Shane and Alice were in a heated discussion over Bette and Tina and their disappointment in Bette’s on going affair. Tonya walked in and despite their attempt to give her the unwelcome wagon, she sat down at their table. Tonya being her usual brash, self-absorbed and inappropriate self, gasped and proclaimed “Bette is still schtuping the carpenter! Bette has not called Tina!” With total disgust she added, “Bette needs to get that pecker under control”.

Shane silenced Tonya as Tina approached them. She certainly have to have overheared their conversation. She knew they must talk about it. They were her friends and why wouldn’t they discuss it. Even is she didn’t want to talk about it with them. She knew they had to talk about it with each other. She understood and accepted they would. They had certainly respected her need to not discuss it. She was just not ready to share her hurt and pain with them. She was holding it together. She had to hold it together. She could not lose it and risk losing this baby too. She suppressed her feelings and painted a picture of strength for her friends. She knew if she openly showed her pain it would simply be like opening the flood gates of emotions. Anger, hurt, betrayal, grief and disappointment would come from her, certainly uncontainable. She did not want to do that. She kept her feelings as well as her pregnancy tightly under wraps.  They were all so accustomed to ignoring the 800 pound gorilla known as Bette and Tina’s breakup that they also ignored Tina’s weight gain and the overcoat she was wearing despite the weather. Everyone was in short sleeves and tanks tops but she in her overcoat, hiding her pregnancy, was over looked as they welcomed her in to join them.