*****! Candace grabbed her rag out of her back pocket and soaked up the mess off the floor. At least there had been very little soda left in the cup. Standing back up, she took the empty cup and threw it into the trash, then turned to Tina.

I know I didnt just hear you ask me out!

Tina fought the urge to laugh. No, you didnt hear that! What you heard was me say I would think about your question and talk to you about it when I return from my trip. I will be at Milk Saturday night and thought we might talk there. TALK!

In a club that is so loud that you cant hear yourself think? That is where you decided would be a good place to talk? Candace questioned.

And what about your friends? She continued, Im sure they are aware of why you and Bette are not together now. I suppose I should bring a half a dozen body guards with me to this discussion.

Tina smiled at the mental image of her friends defending her.

Ok, scratch that suggestion. Mark it down as a major bad judgement call. Lets just continue on as we have been until the renovations are complete, and then you can be on your merry way. Tina said.

Hold on! Candace said. Im not saying that its a bad idea to talk. Its just the location that has me worried. That and it sounded like a little more than just getting together to talk. How about, if instead of Milk, we meet at Fongs. We can get something to eat, talk, and then you can join your friends at Milk.

Tina replied, I know I didnt just hear you ask me out?

Candace got a little flustered when Tina quirked an eyebrow and tilted her head as she asked that question. That move was definitely flirty and very *****. DANGEROUS was the word that should be tattooed across Tinas forehead.

No, you didnt. I am just suggesting we talk, get something to eat, dutch treat by the way, and then go our separate ways to complete our evening. Candace stated.

Ok then! Tina quickly replied before she changed her mind, Six oclock at Fongs. Dutch treat, talk, eat and leave.

Fine. See you then. Candace left and returned to work. What the ***** is wrong with me? We should talk right here on Monday. But down deep, she knew that wasnt what she wanted. She wanted to see Tina outside of a work environment. Im crazier than a loon! She thought.

~~~

Tina spent most of her free time on her trip considering exactly how she was going to respond to Candaces question. She already knew most of the reason she watched Candace, but how was she going to sound saying I want to figure out what you did that attracted my wife enough for her to cheat on me?

There had to be a better response than that. Truthfully, she never though Candace would just point-blank ask the question. She had thought Candace would just think she was checking on the renovations and leave it at that. *****, she probably already knew the reason and just wanted to see if Tina would answer truthfully. Well, she would answer honestly, but Candace would also have some truths to divulge!

Tina arrived home early on Friday, but no one was at Alices. She had eaten on the way home, so she got a hot shower and went to bed. She had accomplished everything Oscar had wanted while on the trip, but too little sleep on top of her raw emotions had taken its toll, and she was exhausted.

She was awakened sometime later to the sound of the troublesome trio. They had arrived and were not being very quiet. Tina had gotten out of bed and as far as the door, when she heard Bettes name. Instead of opening the door, she just leaned against it and listened.

Shane: It was great to see Bette.

Alice: Ill get us some drinks and be right back.

Dana: I like Bettes apartment, but it is kind of small.

Shane: How large does it have to be to sleep in? She does nothing but work and sleep. She just needed some place that wasnt the house.

Tina thought, Bette has moved out of the house?

Alice had apparently returned with the drinks because Tina heard Here you go and Thank you.

Dana: Alice, I still cant believe you got Bette to agree to go to Milk tomorrow night. She sure didnt sound as if she wanted to go.

Alice: She needs to get off her ***** and get back out into the world. How can you get your act together when all you do is work, sleep and avoid your friends? She needs to deal with life.

Dana: Yeah, but what if Tina shows up at Milk tomorrow? All ***** could break loose.

Alice: So what if she does? Maybe they will talk and stop avoiding each other. Bette doesnt want to hear about Tina, and Tina doesnt want to hear about Bette! Quite frankly, I think they should get together and hash everything out. Then maybe they could work on getting back together where they belong!

Dana: I dont think Bette is ready to face Tina yet. And Tina is hurting. She isnt ready to deal with Bette yet.

Alice: Dana, Tina would be hurting if she would let herself feel anything. She is holding everything inside! She wont even talk about it and she isnt dealing with her emotions at all. She has cut them off and pretends that they dont exist.

Shane: Youre right, but it isnt our right to make her face them Alice, it is our responsibility to support her and be here for her should she need us.

Dana: I agree.

Alice: I agree too, but Im worried about her, and she wont be able to just bury her feelings indefinitely. Im scared what is going to happen when she finally lets them out.

[Tina knew her friends were worried about her, and she knew she would have to talk to them eventually, but she just wasnt ready yet.]

Shane: Shell deal Alice, but shell do it on her own time schedule. Shes a little lost right now, but she will find her way, and we will be here for her in the meantime.

Dana: What about Bette? She didnt want to go to Milk if Tina was going to be there.

Oh really! Tina thought. Isnt that just great! She tears our life apart and then doesnt even want to see me!

Shane: No one said that Tina is going. Lets worry about it when, and if, it happens.

Oh dont worry Shane. Tina thought. It is so going to happen, and too bad if Bette doesnt like it!

With that final thought, Tina went back to bed, put a pillow over her head, and went back to sleep.