Previously…

Tina touched the dry tear stain on the letter. A tear rolled down Tina’s cheek and fell on the exact same spot where Bette’s tear fell earlier. Tina looked at her friends’ faces and whispered “What have I done? What’s have I done?”

 —–

The Planet.

Tina stood suddenly and her chair fell back to the floor startling the patrons and those around her. “I have to go to the house.” She said as she removed her cell phone from her purse and pressed speed dial #1, which was still Bette’s number. Tina prayed that Bette would answer her cell phone, but it went directly to voice mail. Tina didn’t leave a message and redialed the number again and again and again. “Shit.  It’s going to voice mail.  Shane, can you drive me over to the house?”

“Tina, wait. Bette asked me to give this to you too.” Kit handed Tina the keys Bette wanted her to have.  They were her house keys and set of keys to the Saab. The same set of keys Tina left on the kitchen table on their last night together. Still attached to the keys was the little monkey keychain Bette purchased for her when they visited the bat cave in Malaysia during vacation their second year together.  Seeing the key chain again after not having it in her possession quickly brought back the memorable vacation they had and remembered how Bette laughed at her when a little monkey chased her up the stairs trying to snatch the exotic fruit she eating.

“We’re coming to.” Alice said and dragged Dana with her.

Shane parked her Jeep behind Bette’s blue Saab in the driveway. Tina jumped out of the car before Shane had a chance to put the Jeep in park and ran toward the house. Tina called out Bette’s name as she ran to the bedroom. “Please don’t let me be too late. Please don’t let me be too late.” Tina prayed. Tina entered the bedroom and not really taking notice of the boxes walked to Bette’s closet and opened it. Empty.  Empty hangers hung from the rod.  Tina leaned her forehead on the closet door and turned her head to see Shane, Alice and Dana making their way to her. “She’s gone. I’m too late.” Tina cried. “I waited too long.”