Bette tried to come to her senses as she heard Alices less than friendly voice. She could barely make out what she was saying from the damage the phone now had from when she threw it. She got up and staggered to the bedroom to get the other phone, picked it up, hung up the broken one, and turned the bedside light on before responding.

What is it Alice? Bette snapped, rubbing her eyes.

Dont use that ***** tone with me Porter, Alice snapped back indignantly as she paced.

Look, Im not in the mood for any more ***** today Al. Say what you have to say or hang up because Im tired of being a punching bag, Bette huffed.

Fine! Ill just get to the point, Alice stood completely still. Assuming you feel so ***** bad about doing the carpenter, why did you have her at your house after the fight?

What? How dare you ***** question me like that Alice? Who the ***** do you think you are?

A caring and concerned friend, she retorted stomping her foot. You didnt see Tina when she got here that morning. You havent seen her lose sleep, not eat, hate, and blame herself for what YOU did. She ended up in the damn hospital cause of you and I saved your ***** by taking the evidence your friend left behind, she ranted barely catching her breath.

Bette was about to go off, but caught herself. Evidence? She thought.

What? Bette stood up not knowing where Alice was coming from. Evidence? What the ***** are you talking about?

Dont play coy Bette or insult my damned intelligence.

Im at a loss here, care to fill in? Oops, youd planned on it anyway, she replied sarcastically.

Today was the first time Candace was here, she lied. So, whatever evidence you think you found, the ***** with you, Im sick and tired of it all and everyone being on Tinas side, Bette declared trying to hold her ground.

Bette Porter, you are a goddamned ***** liar! Alice sounded off. How dare you lie like that?

***** you Alice! How dare you accuse me like that when you dont know *****, Bette protested waving her arm in the air as if dismissing Alices words.

Liar! Liar! Liar! Youre a cheating, no good liar, Alice was screaming in the phone. I found a torn piece of carpenter girls tee shirt in your house and I took it so Tina wouldnt find it. So, if she wasnt at your house how did it get there? Huh?

Bette was speechless!

At Joels (a caf)

Yolanda beat Candace there and secured a table for them in the back where they could have some privacy. Candace arrived a few minutes later, looking around for Yolanda. Yolanda waved and Candace smiled walking over to the table.

Hey sweets! Yolanda got up to hug Candace. Poor baby, you dont look so good. Who do I have to beat up for making you look so sad, she chuckled, but was really serious.

Candace felt the warmth of Yolandas soft body soothe and calm her. They broke the embrace to sit down and look over the menu. They decided and Yolanda motioned for a waitress. They ordered and waited for her to leave before speaking.

So, Candace, Yolanda reached for her hand, what went wrong in your meeting? You sounded pretty confident when we spoke earlier.

Candace looked down. She had to keep her emotions in check to avoid letting Yolanda in on her secret.

Things were going well, then things got a little hectic, but I hoped we could work things out, Candace kept looking everywhere but at Yolanda. He called to say he needed to see me and I thought things were getting back in place, but there was some conflict in our ideas of what should happen and it went downhill from there, Candace squeezed Yolandas hand tighter.

Yolanda smiled sweetly deciphering the he into she and piecing the puzzle together to equate it to Bette.

Its gonna be okay sweets. They dont know what theyre missing if they dont keep you around, Yolanda complimented, wanting Candace to remain relaxed and comfortable.
The waitress returned with their coffee and Danishes, sat them down and walked away. Candace rolled her eyes at her for being so dismissive, but said nothing. Her mood was too erratic to risk losing it in public. Yolanda kept talking.

So, whats going well in your life? Forget the bad stuff for a moment, unless you want to talk about it some more.

Candace fidgeted. She wanted to talk more than anything, but knowing that Yolanda was already judgmental where Bette was concerned, she knew she couldnt mention her by name. Shed have to find another way if she really wanted to get it out.

Id rather talk about something positive, but theres another thing bothering me too, Candace twisted in her seat. She had to cover her tracks and ensure she had Yolanda on her side. I need you as my friend; can I count on you to be there for me while Im in need? Candace spoke softly and carefully as she lifted the cup to her mouth.

Yolanda nodded, not wanting to verbally agree to anything. She knew shed be there for her in any way she could, but she knew she couldnt agree to being unbiased toward Bette. She sipped her coffee and nibbled her Danish as she waited for Candace to speak.

The phone call continues

I hoped you wouldnt lie to me. I cant believe you could be so cold, Alice sighed disappointed that Bette couldnt even try to tell the truth to her and respect their friendship.

Bette was silent again. She was caught and there was no longer any use in trying to hide it. She felt beat up and couldnt take any more of Alices berating.

Fine, fine, fine! Are you happy now? You busted me. I got busted again, she conceded, completely worn from the argument. This is useless. Just ***** useless. Ive gotten so used to lying that I cant even see when I was being helped and not hurt. I might as well, just let her go and pray that one day I can make things right, Bette plopped down on the bed.

Let her go? You pushed her away. Not just with this, but also systematically over time, you eased her out of your life because you were too ***** busy with your career and what you wanted in life and for her life. Shall I go on?

No. Damn you! You can stop now. I hear you Alice; I know what youre saying. Look, youve made your point and you know the truth. Im a cheater and a liar, and have probably lost the most important person in my life and a good friend too. I dont want to talk to you anymore tonight. Im too tired and too hungry to argue. This day took more out of me that you know, so forgive me if I want to end this call.

Fine, whatever. Go, do what you wanna do. Ive said my piece and what happens after this is whatever. Ill be there for Tina cause shes my friend and I love her, but I cant promise you she wont find out about this. Actually, Im almost certain she will. Unlike you, Im not going to lie to her. Night Bette. Alice slammed the phone down and stomped into the bathroom.

Appalled, angry, and feeling like no one in the world understood her or what she was going through, Bette grabbed her keys to leave and get something to eat. She was looking down, ranting and mumbling something when she knocked Jenny to the ground from not paying attention.

*****! Jenny fussed. Bette? What the ***** was that for? *****, my skirt is a mess now, she complained smoothing it down.

Sorry Jenny, it was an accident, Bette picked up the bags Jenny was carrying. I wasnt paying attention. Are you okay?

Jenny noticed Bettes eyes looked swollen, her hair was messy, and her usually vibrant skin, looked blotchy. Yeah, Im fine. Are you? Jenny noticed the bandage on Bettes hand. You seem out of it, Jenny gently inquired taking back her bags.

Bette let out a huge sigh and looked away. She was never particularly fond of Jenny, but the sincerity in her tone and gentle expression caught Bettes attention.

To be honest, No. I havent had the best day, Bette relaxed her shoulders slowly letting her guard down.

Oh! Im sorry, Jenny set the bags on the ground and looked back at Bette. Yeah, I know how it goes. Life can be real ***** at times, but you have to get through it anyway right?

Bette shrugged her shoulders not wanting to respond, but she really needed someone to talk to and knowing Jenny had been through a similar situation, Bette felt perversely connect to her.

Have you eaten? Bette asked.

Yeah, but I suppose I could eat again, Jenny replied with a smile.

Okay, put your bags inside and meet me at the car, Bette smiled, pleased that Jenny accepted.

Back at Alices

Tina burst through the door cussing and carrying on like a mad woman. Dana instantly jumped up and ran to hug her.

Im fine, Tina said between gritted teeth. Wheres Alice?

Dana looked at a very angry Tina and shrugged. Tina Im sorry I had to make that call without really explaining myself. I just did what Al asked me to do, Dana ran her hand up and down Tinas arm.
Alice could hear them talking from the bathroom, but couldnt make out exactly what they were saying.

So, you have no idea whats going on? Dana shook her head no. Youre sure? Tina asked not believing her. Ill ask once again, wheres Alice and what the ***** is going on? She said loudly and Alice heard her.

She came out of the bathroom, pushing Tina to the living room, and forced her to sit down.

Dana, can you make us some tea?

K, she agreed, walking off like a sullen child.

Oh, and Dane, Im sorry for snapping on you earlier. I didnt mean to, I was just caught up, Alice blew Dana a kiss. Dana half-smiled.

Alice, are you gonna voluntarily tell me about making Dana call me or will I have to beat if out of you?

Alice stood up, sat down, stood again, and then started pacing. She was trying to find the right way to break the information down without causing Tina more harm, but it wasnt easy.

Look, ***** it! The only way to say it is to say it, so bare with me okay, Alice made full eye contact with Tina who was visibly shaking.

Okay, but this sounds worse than Danas call.

Alice made a face, It is. Here goes, she paused, and then began. Today was not the first time carpenter girl was at your house, Tinas eyes widened and her mouth fell open. Alice covered Tinas mouth with her hand so she could continue. The day you came from the hospital, Bette must have seen carpenter girl. Something, I dont know what, happened, and there was a torn piece of carpenter girls shirt on the floor. I saw it and took it so you wouldnt see it and complicate your fragile state.

Im not ***** fragile and I wish everyone would stop ***** treating me like damaged goods, Tina angrily interjected. Anyway, go on.

I told you Bette and I werent friendly with each other and that was partly why, but she didnt know I knew at the time. I confronted her tonight cause I thought that you might show up there and I didnt want you to get caught in her web of lies again, Alice sat back down. She lied about it until I told her that I took the piece of shirt then she fessed up.

What else? Tina asked calmly which freaked Alice out.

How can you be so calm T? I went completely off on her, Alice took Tinas hands in hers. Ill understand if youre mad or get mad at me. I wanted to tell you, but I had to make sure I had the facts first. Occupational hazard so I dont get sued, Alice tried to inject some light humor.

I understand, but that cheating ***** hasnt seen or heard the last of Tina Kennard. Thanks Lisa Doyle, Tina stated, then got up and went to the bedroom.

Dana came out of the kitchen with cups, whered T go?

Never mind that, I wanna know who the ***** Lisa Doyle is?