When Bette entered her hotel room it was glowing softly with sunlight. She responded immediately to the warmth and smiled slightly. Once again she silently thanked Kit for pushing her to get away. It was a spacious room with a king-sized bed. Plenty of room there, she thought ruefully. She walked across the room to the sliding glass doors, opened them and stepped out onto a small balcony overlooking the pool. There was a beautiful view from here and she stood for a moment to appreciate it. Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. She crossed the room and looked through the peephole to see the attendant with the baggage cart. She opened the door.
Good afternoon, maam. I have your baggage.
Great, you can just put it there.
Bette found her wallet and was searching for some bills as the attendant told her various details about the hotel.
Thanks, she said as she handed him the tip.
Thank you, maam. Enjoy your stay. He paused a second, Theres good energy in this room.
Bette smiled at his last remark, but after the door closed she surveyed the room once more and had to say that she agreed with him. She suddenly remembered Tina and how she wanted to call her. She retrieved her cell phone and saw the voicemail symbol. She pushed the button to listen and her heart lurched in her chest when she heard that familiar voice.
Hi, its me. I was thinkingummI I was standing on top of a mountain today and feeling like the world is huge and amazing and what happens between us is just one small insignificant piece of it. SoIIm babblingbut I guess Im trying to say that Im open to listening if youre still open to talking. Bye.
Bette sat down on the bed, not sure if she had heard what she thought shed heard. She played the message again and yes, there was a hint of tenderness in Tinas voice and Im open to listening God, that was the whole world in four words.
Of course I want to talk, T she said out loud as she dialed the number.
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Hi Honey, Diane said brightly into the phone. Were just about home. Yup, heres our exit now. No, Tinas driving and shes very good at it.
Tina smiled.
Oh it was wonderful, everything about it. Oh thats great honey, were both hungry, but we want a shower first. Oh, stop.
Tina glanced over and thought she could see her mother blush.
Ok. Well see you soon. Bye, honey.
Hows Wayne? Tina asked.
Fine. Hes all excited to see us.
Hes probably more excited to see you, Mom.
Oh, I dont know
Well I do. Its cute.
Diane waved her hand in the air Whatever hes got steaks for the grill and he made salsa – hes all ready.
God, that sounds good. Im so hungry.
They pulled into the driveway and Lobo the dog came bounding to the car. They got out and the dog ran happily from one side of the car to the other to greet them both.
Ah, the lovely ladies have returned. Waynes face was beaming as he walked up to Tina and gave her a warm hug. He turned to Diane and kissed her and hugged her, lifting her feet off the ground. He grabbed her bag and insisted on taking Tinas as well as he led them toward the door.
Diane was first in the door and noticed the sweet aroma and then saw the incredible flower arrangement sitting on the dining room table.
Oh what lovely flowers!
Wayne was just coming in the door behind her. Oh, those are for Tina, they came yesterday afternoon.
Tina was holding the door and was distracted waiting for the dog. What? she said when she heard her name.
Those flowers are for you, honey. Diane pointed to the dining room.
Flowers? Tinas mouth dropped open and her breath stopped for an instant. She could see the arrangement from the door – it was huge. It was gorgeous. It was Bette. She walked toward it slowly, somewhat dazed. She stood before it and reached for the card. She opened the envelope and read it silently.

If only my heart could speak to you directly,
you would know how much I love you
and how sorry I am that I hurt you.
Bette

Tears welled up in Tinas eyes and she reached out to touch a bright red tulip. So many emotions came at once to her, but she knew that Diane and Wayne were standing behind her watching.
A new voice broke in. Hey everybody, Mary said cheerfully from the doorstep.
Tina turned around and looked at her mother. Diane saw the tears and the helplessness on her daughters face and knew immediately that she needed rescuing.
Mary! How nice. She nudged Wayne. Wayne, Marys here.
Uh, oh yeah, hi. I asked Mary to join us. I didnt get a chance to tell you.
Diane thought this was a terrible time to be having a guest for dinner, but she smiled and said, Wonderful.
Tinas cell phone rang from inside her bag. Everyone looked at her. It rang again. Tina took out the phone and looked at the number. Bette she said without thinking.
Diane sprang into action. She took Marys arm and ushered her toward the kitchen. Tina and I just got in this minute and were all dusty from our hike this morning, so if you two dont mind well take a little time to clean up. Mary, why dont you make a batch of your incredible margaritas? Wayne, show Mary around the kitchen, will you? And with that the three of them were gone from the room.
Tina was still slightly dazed, but she answered the call.
Hi.
T. T, Im so glad youre there.
Im here. I need to sit down, Tina said as she walked toward the bedroom.
Are you OK?
Yeah, umtheres a lot going on here. Hold on a second. She put the phone on her chest and her other hand up to her head. Damnfuck, she said in a whisper. She entered the room and closed the door behind her. She leaned against it for a moment, trying desperately to sort out her feelings and collect her thoughts.
Ok, Ok. She took deep breaths and walked to the bed and sat down.
She looked at the phone, and then put it up to her ear.
Ok, hi.
Hi. Bette said softly. Can you talk now?
Yeah,
Well I just got your message and it made me so happy, T. Of course I want to talk to you and see you.
Tina sighed, but didnt speak.
Um, did you get the flowers I sent? Bette asked.
Tina closed her eyes. Yeah, I just got them. We were away; I think they came yesterday her voice trailed off.
Bette was waiting for her to say something about them, but she didnt.
So, did Edward come through for me?
Edward. Tina remembered him and his floral creations that she had received many times over the years from Bette.
Yes, its beautiful. Then, almost as an afterthought she added, thank you.
You dont have to thank me I really mean what I said in the card. Im so sorry.
Betteyou know, this isnt like some fight weve had in the past, Tina said. It isnt a misunderstanding or something that can just be forgiven with flowers.
Tina, I know
Its much more it was a betrayal. A betrayal of trust that I cant just forgive like that.
I know I cant expect that but, please believe me when I say it wont happen again and that I love you, T. I only love you.
Tina shook her head. It was never about love, was it? You dont love her, do you?
No, no, T Bette began to pace.
Tina spoke quietly, Thats the brutality of it, Bette. I love you, because I cant just stop doing that, and you may love me, but you shattered it all. For what? Some *****? Some better *****? Or maybe, a sympathetic ear and a good *****?
Tinas words were ripping into Bette. Tina, please stop.
Silence. Bette sat down on the bed.
Tina, I was uncertain and I was trying to take care of everything and I was vulnerable.
Tina face screwed up in doubt. Vulnerable?
To someone elses attention erattraction.
So she made the first move?
Yes.
But Bette, women are attracted to you all the time, they always have been. Why was this one different?
Im not sure.
Look Bette, I know things between us werent the best, there was room for improvement. But I never thought we were so far apart that Tinas voice caught in her throat. Someone else could come between us.
Bette felt as if a blanket of ice had been laid across her shoulders.
I know, she said softly. But T, in your message you said our problems were small and
I meant to the face of the world, Bette. No one else cares if you and I ***** up our relationship. The rest of the world is just going to keep on going. The open heart she had felt in Taos was ebbing away as the reality of Bettes story sank in to her brain. Standing on that mountain gave me some perspective and reminded me that I have to keep going, no matter what happens with us.
A shiver went down Bettes spine.
There was a gentle knock on Tinas door. Are you alright, honey? Diane said softly.
Tina looked at the door, I have to go, she said into the phone.
Tina, please tell me we can talk again.
I think we have to, Tina said matter-of-factly.
OK good, tomorrow?
Yeah, good-bye.
Bye, Tina. Bette listened to the line disconnect and closed her phone.