After thinking and rethinking about what she should do, Bette knew that she couldnt put it off any longer. It had been two weeks since the Provocations show and they had yet to confront each other. Tina had no reason to speak to Bette and Bette hadnt expected Tina to go see her unless it was to ask for some type of explanation but that wouldnt happen. Tina was hurt beyond any rationalization and it was understandable. What Bette had done was enough for Tina to disregard the seven years that existed between them. A disloyalty of that magnitude was too much for forgiveness but then there was another situation.

While Bette loved Tina and was distraught over what she had done, Bette wasnt ready to jump back into their relationship. It wasnt easy for her to admit but their relationship hasnt been right and Candace had awakened another side of Bette that had been dormant. A side that she longed would come out sometime but she didnt know when or how to let it out. Candace obviously knew something she did not. As she had known what to do to make Bette come alive in a way she had not in a long time. Bette was afraid to do what she was planning to.

Pressure filled Bette. Anxiety over what to do and how to do it fell over her. First there was Tina and their seven years together. Then there was Candace and their intense chemistry. Tina was her routine, someone she could depend on but Candace was desire, attraction, someone that set her senses ablaze. Then there were the girls. There would be a great amount of tension if they were to separate and there would be an even greater deal of awkwardness if Bette were to jump into something with Candace so Bette had to be careful what she did and how he she did it.

It was a Sunday afternoon when Bette showed up at Alices place. When Alice opened the door her eyes widen to see Bette standing there. Alice had gotten use to the calls from Bette. She had gotten use to giving Bette a detailed report about how things were going with Tina. It hadnt even bothered her to be the go between, but to see Bette there was disconcerting. Alices eyes were wide but she didnt say a word. Bette was also serious. Alice held the door open for Bette as she picked up her keys and yelled out to the living room.

Im going out for a bit, Ill be back soon, was all Alice said.

Okay, Tina said from the other room.

Alice flashed Bette a comforting smile before leaving. Bette smiled back then walked into the living room. Bette stops once she reaches the living room but Tina has her back to Bette. Bette doesnt say a word either instead she stands by the threshold watching Tina. Tina is picking up some things when she looks up to see Bette standing there. At first, Tina thinks shes just seeing things. She cannot believe that Bette was actually there, but she was. Bettes face was guilt-ridden and saddened. She couldnt bear to see what she was putting Tina through but she had to be strong enough to confront whatever was to come.

What are you doing here, Tina said in a bitter and angry tone. Bette didnt expect anything less and Tina had every right to speak to her the way that she had.

We need to talk, Bette said as she walked over closer to where Tina is. Tina steps away as she thinks Bette is walking to her, instead Bette takes a seat on the couch. Tina remains standing just a few feet away. Bette lowers her head onto her hands.

Please T, Let me talk.

Talk? You want to talk?

Is that what you did with Candace, just talk?

There it was again, Tina thought. The name that she hated had once again left her mouth. Bette also felt uncomfortable hearing Candaces name being uttered by Tina.

Bette, I we had something that no one could touch. Do you realize how I felt when I saw you with her. You couldnt even keep your hands off her, even when I was in the same place. A public place where anyone could have taken your picture to capture the tender moment. I dont need that picture because the image is vivid in my memory and I hate you for that, for making a fool of me. For being someone other than the person that I promised to share my life with.

Im sorry. The last thing I wanted was to hurt you but things were just going really badly with us and you know it. Weve been having problems and-

And your solution was to ***** the first woman that walked in front of you?

Bette stays quiet. There are no words that would let Tina understand why she did what she did. Truth of the matter was that she didnt know the answers either. Bette had no answers. She didnt know what happened with Candace, why she couldnt stop thinking about her and why she couldnt keep her impulses under control. Bette didnt know.

Im going to make it easy for you since you thought she had something worth throwing away our relationship for, then Im leaving that door open for you.

Tina, dont, Bette said on the verge of tears.

Bette, I need you to promise me something.

Bette looks up at Tina awaiting to hear Tinas request.

All I ask is that you wont see her anymore. I dont care if you date as many women as you can but just not her. It would be too painful to know that you are still with her, Tina said letting a few tears fall from her eyes. Bette goes to wipe the tears from her face but Tina moves away.

Please leave, now.

Bette realized that it was time for her to go. Bette hadnt verbally promised anything to Tina but she nodded her head in agreement. Bette didnt know what she was going to do. Her attraction to Candace hadnt subsided and she wanted to see where that would lead but she had to keep her promise to Tina. It was the least she could do but it would be one of the hardest.

———————————————————————————————

It had been an odd afternoon for Candace. Aside from having the situation with Bette on her mind, now she had another issue to deal with. Family issues, namely, her older sister, Sydney, who was in town with her family. Sydney traveled to California at least once a year to visit her in-laws with her husband and two children. Candace and Sydney were as different as night and day. Sydney, a full-time homemaker has been married for eight years to Greg, and although she is college educated her husband preferred her to stay home to raise the children. Candace didnt like Greg much for that. Instead of supporting Sydneys dream to start her own business, Greg has her trained to do as he says. The worst part was that Sydney allowed him to it.

Candace couldnt stand the way her sister put up with her chauvinistic husband. She never opened her mouth about it and instead kept her thoughts to herself. Candace knew that it wasnt her place to judge her sister nor was it her place or style to get involved in a married couples issues just as she expected people to respect her and the way she lived her life but that didnt go over easily with Sydney.

Sydney had no problems judging Candace. Sydney didnt agree with anything that Candace did. From her occupation to her sexuality and everything in between Sydney always had something to say. No matter what the topic at hand was, Candace knew that the questioning would come, it always did. Candaces appearance was also a huge topic of discussion for the sisters.

Look at you, youre such a beautiful woman. Why dont you fix yourself up? Some makeup couldnt hurt. How about a pair of heels from time to time, Sydney insisted that Candace didnt have a boyfriend because she attracted women that thought she was a guy in a beautiful girls body. What Sydney didnt get through her head is that Candace didnt want to attract men. Candace only wanted to be with women. She liked their softness and the passion shared between them. Candace couldnt explain how she felt when she was around women. No matter what Candace said to try to make her sister understand, Sydney simply did not get it.

Sydneys constant attempt to change her sister had become old over a decade ago. Sydney couldnt accept how her little sister wanted to be with women. Sydney had even gone so far as to hook Candace up with Gregs brother. Such date never happened since Candace would not be forced to do some ridiculous ***** like feed into her sisters feeble attempt to change her sexual preference. Candace loved her sister but even as adults, Sydney could not fully comprehend how her sister wasnt into men.

The sisters sat poolside at Sydneys in-laws house. Sydneys children were in the pool while Sydney and Candace conversed. Sydney was sitting up straight with her back against the back of the chair while Candace leaned forward with her elbows resting on her legs as she watched her niece and nephew. She laughed as they jumped into the pool trying to impress her. She loved to watch them play around. Candace rarely thought about children of her own but with her niece and nephew around the thoughts popped into her head, briefly, then it was back to reality.


The kids could spend a weekend at my place before you guys go back home, Candace said as she watched her niece and nephew playing.

Maybe, Sydney says with some hesitation in her voice.

Candace looks back at Sydney still leaning forward in her seat.

I mean I know you probably have your women friends over there and everything, Sydney continued.

Candace continues to look at her sister incredulously. She leans back in her seat to get closer to Sydney.

What is that supposed to mean? Yes, Im ***** that doesnt make me immoral. What do you think Im going to ***** someone in front of the kids?
I didnt say that, Sydney says obviously feeling guilt over what she said. She looks at the kids as she tries to avoid eye contact with Candace.

When will you get over it, Candace said looking at Sydney.

Sydney looks at Candace.

How can you get pleasure from another woman, Sydney asked, in her ignorant tone with an air of superiority. Seriously Candace, look at you, you would be beautiful if you just fixed yourself up some. Jeans are fine but do they need to be that loose? And that hair, why do you let your hair down sometime, she continued.

Well actually Syd, it gets in the way when Im getting down to work.

Im not talking about work.

Well neither am I, Candace said in a biting tone hoping that her sister would stop with the comments.

Oh God, Candace, Sydney said cringing at the visual thought of her sister going down on another woman. Sydney quickly looks around to see if anyone had heard their conversation but no one was around.

Sydney, you can be so ignorant sometimes, Candace said.

Gregory, stop that, Sydney yelled out to her son disregarding Candaces remark.

Candaces cell phone rings.

Hello, Candace said.

Hey Candace, its Bette, Bettes voice came through the phone sending a rush of excitement through Candace.

Can you talk, Bette asked.

Im not home right now but I can meet you if need to talk, Candace said looking at Sydney, who was now looking at Candace.

Can you meet me at the CAC?

Ill be there in an hour, Candace said before hanging up the phone.

Sydney has a cynical smile plastered on her face.

I see youre on call.

***** you, Sydney.

Im straight, lil sis. Dont forget it.