Bette stood rooted in place, eyes locked with Candace, as her mind journeyed back in time. Candace was the instrument with which she had destroyed her life and now she stood before her, next to Tina, the love of her life. How could they be so close? Tina had hated Candace as surely as she had hated Bette when she had walked out on their life together. Bette needed to go outside to get some fresh air and regroup but she couldnt for the life of her move. She wanted to run for her life because she was petrified of how she was going to react to this situation. Her emotions were in a jumble: on the one hand seeing one of Tinas conquests stirred a jealousy in her so strong she was almost overcome with rage, on the other hand, it was Candace and Bette could almost understand the perversion of the situation. She needed to talk this through with Tina. She was determined not to react impetuously, because that would be how the old Bette would react.

Tina: Bette, Bette, where are you?

Tina had moved swiftly across the room when she had seen Bette looking at her and Candace. Bette was still standing very still, staring across the room, one hand clenched into a tight fist, the other gently rubbing her belly.

Bette turned to face Tina and smiled.
Bette: Im right here Tina, where I belong, by your side. I love you T. What I saw just now; you and Candace. I need to knowI need to understand but this isnt the time or the place so lets wait until we get home okay?

Tina: I didnt know she was going to be here Bette. Nor is she anyone you have to worry about from my perspective. Just know that and yes, we can wait to until we get home to talk. I love you Bette, with all my heart and I hope I can make you understand.

Tina stayed by Bettes side for the rest of the evening. Her show was a great hit and almost all of her paintings were already sold. Tina couldnt believe how calm Bette was and she wondered if all ***** was going to break loose when they got home. After all, she had become a monster at home the night she had found out about Bettes affair.

Bette: T, Im beat. Weve said our goodbyes so lets get out of here and head home.

Tina: Okay baby, let me go get my purse from Jamess office. On her way to the office Tina ran into Alice.

Alice: Tina, was that Candace that was here earlier?

Tina: Yes, and Bette saw me saying hello to her. You should have seen the look on her face Alice; Im really worried about her. She wants to talk when we get home, but she has been so calm all evening. I feel like Im in the eye of the storm and its about to get really rough.
Alice: ***** Tina, you never told her?

Tina: Why should I have? It would serve no purpose except to hurt her and I didnt want to do that.

Alice: You know the saying, honestly is the best policy? You should have told her.

Tina: What am I suppose to do, make a list of all the women I slept with this past year and review it with her? They meant nothing to me.

Alice: You know and I know that Candace is in a different category from the rest of those women.

Tina: Look Alice, youre probably right. I didnt really give it much thought and now I can only hope that it doesnt jeopardize what Bette and I have again.

Alice: Youre relationship is so much stronger now; it should be able to survive this. But with Bette you never know.

Tina: Exactly. Well, let me get my stuff so I can go home and get this over with.

Bette and Tina drove home in silence. Tina had driven and by the time they got home Bette had fallen fast a sleep. Tina felt bad about waking her but she needed to get her out of the car and inside the house.

Tina: Bette, baby, please wake up. Were home.

Bette: Tina, whereever you are is my home. Thanks for driving I needed the nap. Come on lets go in and Ill make some coffee.

As they climbed the steps to the house Bette reached for Tinas hand and brought her close so she could look into Tinas eyes.
Bette: Im not going to make a scene tonight T. I will not make any more bad memories in this house. Besides, I have no right to judge you and what you did while we were separated. I just want to understand, and I dont want any details. Lets keep it simple and to the point. Can you do that for me?

Tina, in a whisper: Yes

Bette embraced Tina then and held her tight for a few moments. When she released her she moved slowly towards the door and opened it with her key. She turned on the lights and made her way into the kitchen to start the coffee. Tina sat down at the kitchen table waiting for Bette. When Bette sat down Tina looked away, not able to look Bette in the eyes.
Bette: Look at me T, please.
Tina: I cant Bette this is just too hard. I didnt want to hurt you. Thats why I didnt tell you. Please believe me when I say tonight was not some grand scheme of mine. I guess James invited Candace because she does a lot of work for him at the gallery.

Bette: I believe you Tina, but I have to tell you that seeing you with Candace, seeing you kiss and touch her rocked my world. Memories of Provocations flooded back to me. My emotions right now are so mixed up that I cant honestly tell you what Im feeling other than that I love you, no matter what.

Tina: I cant believe youre being so calm about this Bette. Its not in your nature. I know you have a jealous streak a mile wide.

Bette: That I do, and there is a part of me that is absolutely furious, but what right do I have? We were apart for 15 months. What you did during that time frame is something I can never pass judgement on. So tell me, how did it happen?

Tina: Candace continued to volunteer at the center, even after she finished the initial work we asked her to do. She genuinely wanted to give back to the community and Oscar needed all the help he could get. There was this constant friction between us and that wasnt fair to Oscar and the rest of the folks working at the center so one day we decided on a truce. We would avoid each other whenever possible and be civil to one another when we had to work together. As the months wore on I realized she wasnt a bad person and I couldnt continue to take out all my anger on her just because she was there and you werent. Also, I was also curious.

Bette: Curious?

Tina: What did she have that I didnt? What did you get from her that you couldnt get from me? You had told me the relationship was purely sexual, nothing more, so I was curious about that too. I was feeling particularly down during the Christmas season and at the centers Christmas party I had way too much to drink. By then, I was drinking too much on a regular basis and sleeping around almost nightly. I was about to get into my car when Candace stopped me. She didnt want me driving home in the state I was in so she offered me a ride. One thing lead to another and we ending up sleeping together.

Bette: Was it just that once?

Tina had been dreading that question. Her answer would surely put Bette over the edge.