“Oh okay. What are some of the rules?” Shannon asked.

“Tina and I don’t have many. They usually come up as Jess does something that we don’t agree with. Curfew is at 9 on school nights unless you guys are traveling with the team. It is at 10 on the school nights but since you are older you should have a later curfew like 11:30.” Bette said. “Just so you know I am not going to play favorites between any of my children. I love you all the same. So when you screw up and you will I am sure. I will treat you all the same.” She continued.

“Wow I can’t believe she just referred to me as one of her kids. Maybe she really didn’t want to give me up all those years ago. Wait does this mean I am going to have to sit in the corner too?” Shannon thought.

Bette stood and started to go check on Jess.

“Does that mean I am would have to sit in the corner too?” Shannon asked.

“Yeah it does.” Bette said standing in the door way. James appeared in the doorway.

“Bette, Tina is on line one.” He said.

“Oh okay. James I don’t think you have meet Shannon my daughter. Shannon this is my assistant James.” She said

“Hey Shannon its nice to meet you.” He said.

“Same here.” She said.

Bette and James left the room. Bette walked into the office and sat down at her desk and watched Jess in the corner as she picked up the phone. After she got off the phone she crossed her arms and looked at Jess.

“So you wanna tell me why you have been cutting school and where you have been going.” Bette said. Jess kept her head on her knees.

“No.” Jess said. Bette got up and shut the door.

“Why?” Bette said. Jess figured she would be better off by not answering.

“Does it have anything to do with Shannon or me or what happened?” Bette asked sitting down in the chair she turned to face Jess.

“No.” Jess said again.

“Okay I believe you because it started before. I don’t know what to do Jess.” She said putting her hand on Jess’s hands that were wrapped around her legs. Jess jerked when Bette touched her.

“What was that?” Bette said.

“Nothing.” Jess said. “I just don’t want to be touched right now.” Bette was taken aback by Jess’s words. She got on the floor and put her arms around Jess. Jess pushed her off and ran out of the door.

“Jess get back here.” She screamed after a minute. Shannon came out of the room. Bette was running out of the gallery after her.

“You will never catch her.” Shannon said. “She can out run me.”

“Do you know what is going on with her?” Bette asked.

“No, but she runs to think.” Shannon said.

“I have to go after her.” Bette said.

“Bette she’ll come back. If we are alike as much as everyone thinks we are she’ll come back.” Shannon said. “Just give her some time.” Bette stopped and looked at Shannon.

“Okay.” Bette said.

“What do mean she can out run you?” Bette said.

“She has been running everyday this morning I stopped at 5 miles I couldn’t go anymore. She kept going, and its not just flat land its hills. I think she could run up hill all day.” Shannon said.

“she thinks when she runs?” Bette asked.

“I don’t know its like she goes in this zone and everything disappears. The only time I have ever seen her really concentrate on something is when she is running. All the other time its like she is thinking about or doing 2 or 3 things at a time.” Shannon said.

“I guess I haven’t been paying enough attention to her.” Bette said.

The Planet

Jess ran into the front door. Kit was working the counter. Jess put her hands on her knees to catch her breathe.

“Jess? What are you doing here?” Kit asked.

“Can I talk to you?” Jess said.