Bette’s heart lurched as she took in how worn out Tina appeared.

‘You did this to her’ Bette thought, despising herself a little more.

Tina glanced despondently at Bette before walking back down the hall towards the living room without so much as a word. Left alone at the open door Bette entered and closed the door quietly behind her before venturing after Tina. Taking a deep breath Bette feared that Tina was about to erupt into a rage like she had only witnessed once before, the last time they were together. Tina sat hunched on the couch watching as Bette moved cautiously into the living room. Not knowing whether to sit beside her or stay standing Bette eventually knelt at Tina’s feet, the gesture seemed appropriate, after all is was there to beg for forgiveness. Kneeling at her beloved’s feet Bette raised her eyes to meet Tina’s. She saw that Tina’s features were cold, like stone. There was no warmth, no hope waiting there.

“T…baby” Bette sounded like a frightened child pleading for a parent’s attention

“Don’t!” Tina warned sharply as Bette reached for her hand “Don’t you touch me” The hostility in her voice made Bette recoil.

“Tina” It was the only word Bette could vocalize, an invisible band around her chest grew tighter and she found herself fighting for every breath. Tears began to sting as Bette dropped her eyes to the floor to avoid Tina’s piercing glare.

“Do you have any idea how much I hate you right now?” Tina’s voice was steady, unlike Bette, she had her emotions in check. The words were yet another blow to Bette’s bruised and vulnerable heart. Those were words that she never sought from her girlfriend’s lips. For seven years she had desired only to love Tina and to feel her love in return – not this, never this. The urge to escape Alice’s apartment tugs at Bette and she yielded to it.

“I’m sorry, this was a mistake. I shouldn’t have come. I’ll leave.” Despite her best efforts a tear escaped and rolled down Bette’s pale cheek as she looked up and searched Tina’s face once more but nothing there was familiar to her, she lowered her eyes a second time.