Tina was standing in her office, staring out the window, and had again allowed her thoughts to return to that afternoon at Bettes office. She had gone there to try and work on saving her marriage and had walked straight into a scene from *****. She had seen that look on Bettes face so many times over the past years, but never that total and uncontrollable sobbing. Never had she brought Bette to such mind-blowing ecstasy that she sobbed. She had thought they were good together, but it had never been like that. That last night with Bette had been horrible, yet was now enlightening, since that was what she herself had experienced. She had collapsed on Bette sobbing from the anger, but it was also from the unbelievable orgasmic experience she had just had. She had never seen Bette that way, had never delivered that to Bette. No wonder Bette had returned to Candace after she walked out. And that day at her office, Bette had been so into what had just happened between herself and Candace that she didnt even feel the need to move after discovering they had an audience. That had hurt almost as much as the act itself.

Tina turned her mind off the subject as she had been learning to do. It had taken a lot of concentration to achieve that unemotional plateau that she had finally found. It didnt always work when she was alone, but she seemed to have conquered how to get there when with the gang. It had stopped the questions. They had just looked confused and then stopped asking altogether when the only response they received was a blank look and a small smile.

Tina heard a knock and looked over to see Oscar at the door. He had been so wonderful and supportive to her since the breakup with Bette, allowing her the time she needed, but since she was no longer just a volunteer but a paid employee, Tina had felt guilty and had returned to work two weeks ago. Also, it helped keep her mind off things she really didnt want to think about.

Hi Oscar. Whats up?

Good morning Tina. I hate to have to tell you this, but we have a problem with the carpenter. She wants out of her contract.

Tina felt her heart stop at the word “carpenter”, then start pounding. She took a deep breath and mentally calmed herself again as she went to sit at her desk. Why? she asked.

Oscar replied, She just says its for personal reasons. She is willing to have a friend of hers do the job for us and pay them the difference for our trouble. I was hoping you could talk to her since we know nothing about her friends work.

Tina thought to herself, “*****, I knew Candace was going to be working here and I had prepared myself to deal with seeing her, but now I actually have to talk to the woman who now has my wife. If it wasnt for bad luck, I guess I would have none at all.”

Sure Oscar. Ask her to come to my office and Ill talk with her.

Oscar went to find Candace, leaving Tinas office door open. A few minutes later, hearing a tentative knock at the door, Tina took a healing breath and looked up to see Candace standing in the doorway. For a moment, she thought she was going to faint, but she searched her mind for that plateau she had discovered and was able to achieve it.

As the calm feeling flooded her body, she said, Please come in Candace and close the door.

Candace entered with an apprehensive look on her face. Although Tina looked pretty calm, the last thing she wanted today was to get into a catfight.

You wanted to talk with me? Candace asked.

Yes. Oscar said you are trying to back out of your contract. You know we are on a tight schedule and budget and we cant afford to postpone the renovations you were going to provide. Im asking you to honor your contract.

Candace couldnt believe her ears. Why would Tina want her here? I thought it would be easier for you if you didnt have to see me everyday. I was going to make sure the work you needed was done and cover the extra expense myself.

We appreciate the trouble you are willing to go through, but I know the quality of your carpentry work and you are the one we hired. As far as it being easier for me, I dont understand how you backing out of your contract will make anything easier for me. I know what happened between you and Ms. Porter. It is embedded in my mind and whether you are here or not, it doesnt go away.

I just didnt want to be here as a continued reminder of what has happened. Candace replied.

Candace, Im trying to put all that behind me. Bette is a part of my past. As for the present, what I need is for you to fulfill your contract with us.

Ok, if that is what you really want, then I will honor my contract.

That is what I want. You were supposed to start today. I hope the work wont be too far behind now. Tina stated.

No, I will call my crew to come right over. In the meantime I will start the job.

Good, and thank you. Tina said.

Candace was worried. Tina was just too calm and polite. It wasnt normal. She hesitated a moment, but finally said, Tina?

Yes?

You do know that Bette and I have been over for a while now?

Tina stared at her, then said Right! Look Candace, if we are going to be working together, I wont put up with you lying to me.

Im not lying to you. We broke it off a couple of weeks ago.

Tina calmly said, Im sorry for you both. Maybe you can work it out.

Why would we work it out? Something was definitely wrong with Tina. This whole conversation was just too weird! Had she had a nervous breakdown? Bette loves you, not me. And frankly, I dont think I even like her anymore.

Tina took a breath and said, Well, as fascinating as this fairytale is, I need to get back to work and you need to get started on the renovations. Would you please close the door on the way out?

Candace walked out even more bewildered than she was when she walked in.

As the door closed, Tina allowed herself to leave that calm place that she had been struggling to remain in. She had managed to hold it together while speaking with Candace, but now she was falling apart again. Bette and Candace had broken up two weeks ago! It must have been just after she had seen them. Bette hadnt called or sent any messages to her through Alice. That pretty much cinched the realization she had come to on that day. Bette had not been truly satisfied with her or the relationship for quite a while. She had probably been having affairs for the last couple of years. Obviously, she had decided that their marriage just wasnt worth working on. Not that it mattered. After what she had seen, she wouldnt have wanted Bette back anyway. She had to live her own life. No time to think about what might have been.

As Tina pulled herself back to that emotionless plateau she had discovered in her mind, she thought, “I will build a new life, and it will not have Ms. Porter as a part of it.”