Alice finally finished the endless cookie and after taking a sip from her already cold cup of coffee, looked at Tina.

What did you mean by escaping?
Tina took another sip of her tea before answering. She was not looking at Alice, she was again, looking nowhere, lost in her thoughts, voicing them.

I left, after I found out what was going on, even before talking with Bette I knew what was going on. Ive seen that look on Bettes face, Al. I know that look. And that look is what broke my heart. I just didnt left that night I showed up at your place Al,… I was escaping. I was escaping from a reality I could not face. I was escaping for an explanation or even for a lie that I didnt want to hear. Just seeing that look, the way Bette held her hand put my world up side down… I needed to escape, needed to get as far as possible. Needed to put some space between us. Am a coward Al, maybe is all my fault, I didnt even try to contact her, I just couldnt I still cant, it hurts too much

The tone in Tinas voice as she was mumbling those last words was the clue for Alice to know that a single tear was rolling, quietly down Tinas cheek. She didnt have to look, she knew Tinas feelings by now.

As Alice was going to say something funny, to try to cheer Tina up her cell vibrated, startling both of them. The cell was madly spinning on the table, it was so comical that to Alices surprise it put a smile on Tinas face.
“You better take it Tina said, smiling, trying to erase the lonely tear from her face.

Alice, nodding took the cell to check the id caller, she wasnt in the mood for many things right now. The moment she saw who the caller was her face clouded, and not wanting to upset Tina, she stood up and walking towards the door, mouthed,
“Work, have to get this

As Alice stepped out side she sighed deeply before answering the persistent cell.
“Hey”
“Hi Al” Bettes voice was tentative, Alice could read by its tone Bettes insecurities.

Looking through the window glass Alice saw Tina chatting with Greta and not wanting Tina to notice the expression on her face she moved away from the window, backing Tina.

“Hi Bette, how are you doing?” Alice words were cold as steel, it was not intentional it was the awkwardness of the moment that made them sound that harsh.

Am ok Al you? I, I was calling because I just read your women on the verge of sexual reclusion article and think it was hilarious, just wanted to let you know

Alice was listening to Bette, trying to read between the lines. The unusual soft tone Bette was using was sweetening Alices walls but then, as a bell, a light brightened in the back of her head, Alice didnt read it right, just took it as a plus, a little handy push.

Since when do you read LA Magazine Bette?, dont you think you are falling too low?

Alice threw that to Bette as a net, as a friendly hand. It was an old joke between them that when Alice started working at the magazine Bette teased her a lot saying that shed do much better, praying Alices many talents, instead of sharing her joy. Alice, as always, just joked about Bettes snobbishness and since then, as Alice had many successes during her LA magazine career, it was a sweet memory between them.

But awkward moments and bad timming, as well as lack of practice, made Bette not to read Alices words as they were meant, making Alices doubts very clear and quite painful the moment she finish answering the hopeful net,

I dont read it Al, Candance showed me the article as she pronounced the words Bette knew she had made a mistake. She knew that another opportunity just died even before it was born.

Yeah, Bette am sorry but I really need to go, I have a date for dinner and am running late. Bye take care Porter

Alice hung on the phone before letting Bette try to stop her. Hearing Bette naming the carpenter girl brought Alice to reality. To the reality their lives were. It broke her heart to not be able to share an easy conversation with her but, as she was walking back inside, looking at a pregnant Tina, she knew she was not ready.

Bette was in her office, staring at the cell. She could not believe her stupidity. How bad her timing was, her big mouth again put her deep in the hole. She called Alice as an impulse; she wanted to talk with her, to listen to her cheerful voice. She missed her, her witty lines, her sarcastic answers and her joyful personality.

Checking the time Bette realized that she should head home, the problem was that home was a meaningless word for her now. Her house, was nothing like a home any more. It looked pretty much as when Tina was still there, as she has refused to get any of the furniture or personal belongings. Tinas scent was not longer in the house but her soul was still in every corner, in every frame on the walls, in every little detail that had her name on it. Alice took all Tinas clothes, photographs and books a few days after Tina left. Bette wasnt even in the house and to her surprised she only noticed the absence of Tinas things after a couple of more days. Thinking about it now made it clear to Bette about her mind state.

As she was driving home Bette thought about what she was going to find. She was pretty sure about the image she was going to see the moment she open the door. She was sure the music or the tv could be on, that cold take-out food leftovers could be waiting for her in paper boxes and that Candance could be sleeping on the couch with the tv on in mute mood, listening to the music.
She was pretty sure theyd end having *****, on the couch probably and then, without eating shed walk to bed, lost in exhaustion and confusion.

She was pretty sure that, as it has been happening for almost a week now, just before turning the hall to her bedroom, shed feel the need to look back, to look to the kitchen, hoping, dreaming of a shadow that she was pretty sure was not going to be there, looking at her, smiling.