Bette woke and smiled. Having Tina back home and next to her made her feel really good and secure. She snuggled closer to her, placing tender kisses on her head and neck, breathing in the faint smell of sweat. She drifted back to sleep. Tina woke up a little while later dazed, confused, and with a killer migraine. She strained her eyes to focus and make it to her feet, but she fell back against the bed falling onto be Bette who jumped and reached out for her.

Tina? Are you okay babe?

Tina groaned holding her head tightly resting it on her knees. No. Its hurts so bad.

Bette jumped up and cradled Tina who was rocking in agony.

Whats the matter? What can I do? Tee? Bette continued to soothe her.

Tina pushed Bette away and curled into the fetal position, rocking back and forth while clutching her head. A look of panic covered Bettes face as she scrambled to her feet to get to the phone and call their doctor. She waited impatiently for someone to pick up, but got the answering service, forgetting it was now night. She left a message for the doctor hoping she could call back soon. She couldnt take seeing Tina in so much pain.

Tina? Baby? Is there anything here I can give you? A prescription?

In between sobs of pain, Tina whispered, I dont know.

Ill go look.

Bette raced to the bathroom and ripped through all the pills in the cabinet, but didnt see anything that looked like migraine medicine. She panicked, hearing Tina writhing in pain and raced back to the bedroom.

Oh, baby, what can I do? Please! She pleaded. Tell me something.

Ice pack, was Tinas strained reply.

Bette got up to get an ice pack from the freezer and the phone rang.

Hello? Yes, this is Bette Porter. Yes. She has a very bad migraine and there is nothing here that I can give her. No. No. Yes. Uhm, she had an anxiety attack that put her in the hospital earlier today. Yes. Uh, huh. To the ER? Okay. Thank you doctor.

Bette hung up moving quickly to fix their clothes, get Tina out of the house, and to the hospital. The doctor said shed meet them in the ER, which would be the fasted place to get some immediate relief for Tina. It would also allow her doctor to give her a thorough exam and write her a prescription for some medication. Tina was hard to move, but Bette managed to get her out of the house and to the car without calling for help. She saw Tim as she struggled with Tina and he rushed to help her.

Everything okay Bette?

No, I have to get Tina to the hospital, can you help me get her in the car?

Yeah, sure. Want me to drive you so you can sit with her? She looks pretty bad.

Bette paused to think. She didnt really want anyone in their business, but he made a valid point. She agreed and she handed him her car keys. Tim sped off and Bette rubbed Tinas head as they sat in the back of the car. Tim kept looking back at them in the rear view mirror.

Is she gonna be okay?

Yes, Bette replied softly. She had a really bad migraine and theres no medicine in the house.

Ouch! Theyre nasty. My dad used to get them. Total shutdown for him. I feel for her. Tim stated empathetically.

Tim raced through the light, whipping the car around the corner, and screeched the car into the parking lot. Bette was a little annoyed with his handling of her car, but respected that he just wanted to get there quickly and was trying to help. He opened the door to let Bette out so they could ease Tina out of the car and into the ER.

You go check her in and Ill sit here with her. Tim informed.

Thanks.

Tim sat in the nearest open seat and held Tina until Bette came back. Bette sat on the other side of Tinas chair, but left her in Tims arms. She looked too comfortable to move her again and she didnt need all the commotion again. Twenty minutes past when Dr. Bradshaw came in. She went to the desk to ask if Tina had arrived and the nurse pointed to the waiting area. She rushed over.

Hi Bette.

Doctor.

Lets get her in the back. The sooner I get something in her, the faster shell start to get some relief.
Bette and Dr. Bradshaw carried Tina to the back leaving Tim to wait for them. He waved his hand and nodded his head in the silent Im okay sign.

Dr. Bradshaw asked Tina a series of questions, performed a battery of tests, then ordered a cocktail of intravenous medicine to reduce the migraine and ease the nausea. She was very concerned about Tinas results and her stress level. She turned to Bette who was rubbing Tinas face to soothe and comfort her.

Tina, I need to speak with Bette for a moment. Lay there and let the medicine work okay?

Tina nodded barely coherent of her surroundings.

Bette, may I speak with you outside?

Bette and Dr. Bradshaw stepped outside and a grave look of concern filled the doctors eyes.

Bette what is going on with Tina?

Bette looked down and away. She had to be honest because Tinas well being was at stake, but she still wanted to protect their privacy. She sighed heavily before replying and motioned for them to sit down.

What caused her attack today?

Bette wrung her hands as she began to tell the series of events that had taken place in their lives. She told the doctor about the loss of the baby, the failed counseling, Tinas volunteer work, the incidents surrounding Provocations, and the fight theyd had. Bette spared the details, but said it was a bad fight and that Tina had been very upset over it, which caused the attack. She felt slightly embarrassed with what shed said; however, the information was essential to getting Tina well.

Is that everything Bette? Is there anything that you can think of that may have triggered the attack and subsequent migraine?

Uhm, well. We, she paused. We made love some time after Tina came home from the hospital. She lowered her head not wanting to make eye contact.

Dr. Bradshaw lifted Bettes head.

Bette, you and Tina have been patients of mine for some time now so theres no need to be embarrassed with me. Its my duty as a doctor to ask any and all questions that can be pertinent to a patients health. While I understand that emotional needs can cloud ones judgment, I have to say it was a little irresponsible to make love so soon. Bette looked away from the doctor. Dr. Bradshaw continued, Tinas condition was still delicate and her body hadnt recovered from the attack, hence probably causing it to react aggressively causing her migraine. And you mentioned she hadnt eaten well either and that can be a pre-cursor to it. Okay and Im sorry, Bette said in a child-like tone.

Sorry for what? The doctor inquired. You didnt know. Unless theres something else you havent told me Bette.

Bette wrung her hands again as she felt a lump in her throat, and tears threatened to well in her eyes. She looked at the doctor then looked away again. She felt completely lost, confused, and desperately wanted to talk to someone, but fear and embarrassment overwhelmed her sense of reason.

Talk to me Bette. You know me well enough to open up. It wont make you weak to talk this out.

The word weak shot through Bettes head like a bullet. Weak was what got her involved with Candace. Weak is what got her caught up with Candace even after the fight with Tina. Weak was something that she was never supposed to be because she worked so hard, and fought for everything she had in life. So, being weak was like playing dead to her. Yet, weak is what she needed to be in order to regain her strength and put her life back in order. Bette closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and let out a long exasperated breath. She held the doctors hand and spilled her guts. She poured out her infidelity, the night Tina came back and how they made love and Tina left. She told her about Candaces visits, the lies she told to cover her tracks, and then the incident that caused Tina to suffer the attack. She told her of their mutual friends and how they would react to the fight, then about Alice and her reaction toward her. When she was done, she wiped her red, swollen eyes, and sat back in the chair breathing deeply. Dr. Bradshaw patted Bettes hand and leaned toward her as if telling a secret.

Bette, you have to tell her everything. I know it wasnt easy telling me, but its the first step in the healing process, and if you want to have any chance at rebuilding your relationship, you have to come clean. Sounds like you and the other woman have something to clear up too. Whatever you decide Bette; you have to be open, fair, and honest. This is not just about you, there are two other people involved.

Youre right, but Im so afraid. I love Tina, I really do and I dont want to lose her, so how can I tell her that Ive seen Candace since the fight? Not only did I see her, there was intimacy. That might make her leave me all over again. I dont want that.

I dont know what the right answers are for you. I know that you both love each other a great deal. A commitment was made, you planned to have a family, and now something has drastically changed the course of your relationship. If you need time to explore yourself, maybe you should take it and not keep either woman in limbo.

But, but… Bette tried to interrupt.

There are no buts Bette. As I said, youre allowed to be weak. Youre human; we make mistakes, but compounding them on top of existing ones, is not good for you or anyone else. Now, I think Id like Tina to spend the night in order for the medicine to work fully and so she can get a full nights rest.

Bette was stunned. I cant spend the night alone doctor. I need to be with her. Can you?

Dr. Bradshaw cut her off. Bette, its for the best. Ill arrange for you to be able to stay with her. I have a good relationship with the staff around here. Ill talk to the staff nurse and have everything arranged.

Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me.

Youre welcome. Ill be right back with the arrangements. She patted Bettes arm and walked to the front desk.

Bette was about to go back into the little room when she remembered Tim was in the waiting room. She went to look for him.

He was sitting with his back turned watching the TV and sipping coffee. She approached him and tapped his shoulder.

Tim. He jumped. Theyre going to keep Tina overnight and Im going to stay with her.

Is she?

Yes, shell be fine. They just want to make sure she gets enough rest. She was pretty run down so I agreed to let her stay. You can take my car and Ill call you in the morning so you can come back.

No, no. Ill take a cab. I have to go to the pool in the morning anyway. Its okay. Ill take a cab.

Are you sure?

Yes. Its no problem. Im glad I could help. I hope Tina feels better.

Bette pulled some money out of her wallet and handed it to Tim. He refused, but she insisted it to cover his cab fare. They hugged and he left the hospital. Bette went back into the room to wait for the doctor, where she showered Tina was kisses, and whispered “I love you” in her ear. She pulled the chair close to the bed and sat down resting her head on the bed. She eased Tinas arm around her neck and closed her eyes.