CHAPTER THREE

Bette walked in the front door and tossed her satchel on the floor, already uncomfortable from the burning L.A. summer sun. The weekend had flown by filled mostly with briefings and memos and presentation prep and yet still another Monday had come crashing down on her like a ton of bricks. More work, more frustration. She kicked her shoes in a quick flash and headed into the kitchen to find something to eat. She had to work hard to get an appetite these days. But hey, Bette thought, thats what guilt does to you.
She shouldered off her jacket and slung it over the kitchen bench as she cracked open a root beer after finding nothing appealing to eat. Leaning against the fridge door, Bette closed her eyes and ran the icy cold bottle over her face. She stood for a long time like that, trying to force away the memories of another time and place when walking through that particular front door included a happy Hey babe, how was your day?

Finally Bette pushed herself off the fridge door and stood up straight. As she opened her eyes the red flashing light from the answering machine caught her attention. She had ignored the phone most of the weekend and hadnt played any of her messages. Same old nagging calls from Kit and Alice hassling her to come out.
Bette decided she needed a cold shower before booting up her laptop and settling into yet another lonely night of work. As she walked by the answering machine she hit play and headed back off into the lounge room.
Damn baby sis! Where are you? Kits voice filled the house. Ive called you three times this week and you still havent called me back! Im starting to think you dont love me anymore! Bette smiled and made a mental note to call Kit back after she got out of the shower. Anyway, Kit continued, you can make it all up to me if you come out and watch my gig tonight. All the girls will be there! Even Marina is going to close up shop early and stop by. Well, the address is 277 Ridge Avenue, in the Valley. Come down, please! Love you! Bette felt bad at having missed Kits show. She sipped on her root beer and picked up the shoes she had just kicked off as the next message played.
Jesus Bette, Alice started in a frustrated tone, where were you last night? Kit is fully cut you didnt even call her back to tell her you werent going to come. Bettes stomach sank, she had gone from feeling bad to worse. Well, in case youre wondering, WE all had a great time and Kit was awesome! Call me back okay! I miss you! Bette smiled, she knew Alice couldnt stay angry at her; Kit on the other hand was a different matter entirely.
Bette half listened as her Wongs Dry Cleaning informed her that her dry cleaning was ready and headed off down the hall towards the bathroom. Suddenly she stopped dead in her tracks. A deep shiver ran down her spine and Bette could swear she must have been dreaming. No, she thought, thats her voice! I know it is!

Bette threw her jacket and shoes on the floor and ran back into the kitchen catching the end of the message,
so anyway, Tinas sweet voice filled the kitchen, I hope youre well and that the sun is shining back there in L.A. for you! Lord knows it is here in Italy, its already boiling and its not even lunchtime. Bette could feel tears rolling down her face but she didnt know when or how she had started crying. Well, Im sorry I missed you, but you can give me a call back if you want to. Tina paused. I mean, you dont have to, I just wanted to check if you were okay. But if you do, she paused again, want to call me that is, my number is 585-711434. Okay, well bye. Beep. The line went dead.
Bette stood there shell-shocked. She couldnt believe after all this time Tina had actually called her. And she had sounded so happy and light. And she was in Italy for ***** sake! Bette smiled. She had thought that its where she might have ended up, Tina loved Italy.
Bette leaned over to pick up the phone. She paused for a minute. What if she just wants to end it for good? Talk about splitting up everything? Bette started to feel ill again, Or worse, what is she just wanted to tell you that she never wants to see you again and that shes met someone else??? A million insecure thoughts surged through Bettes mind and she pulled her hand back from the phone.
Have a shower first. She thought, Think of what you want to say and then call her. Bette nodded, that sounded sensible. But she didnt even get two steps towards the bathroom before she turned back, picked up the phone and began dialling for an international line.