Candace at once regretted her choice of words when she saw the anger flash in Tinas eyes. However, as she watched, she saw a whole kaleidoscope of emotions go through those eyes. Anger changed to pain, then to sadness, to acceptance, and finally, what she had now learned was Tinas look of curiosity.

Calmly, Tina took a sip of her water and put it down, without spilling a drop. She took a breath, leaned back in her chair and looking directly into Candaces eyes, stated, Yes, I am sure.

Unfortunately, at that moment, dinner arrived. They ate while Candace considered how to answer Tina. She wanted to be honest, yet not hurt her any more than necessary.

Finally, Tina pushed her plate away and asked, When are you going to answer my questions?

Candace pushed her plate away also and said, Ok. Here it is, start to finish. I met Bette at Kitts show. I was there with Yolonda, and she introduced us. I was attracted to Bette right away, but had no idea she was in a relationship.

Bette later got in touch with me, for a quote on the carpentry work she wanted done for Provocations showing. I was actually the highest bidder, but after I guaranteed that my work would be of the highest quality within the shortest time frame, I got the job. We were having some take-out while discussing the different things she wanted accomplished, and in what order, when you called. She looked upset and I asked her if there was a problem. She said no, that it was her wife on the phone. That is when I noticed the ring on her finger. After we cleaned up the mess, I left. However, I was so attracted to her that I returned and told her I wanted to kiss her. She didnt stop me, but afterwards she told me to leave.

Candace looked at Tina, but Tina said nothing, just waited for her to continue.

I kept finding reasons to seek Bette out for various decisions on the work I was doing. She told me that she was not going to allow anything to happen between us. That still didnt stop me from trying to talk to her, but I stopped trying to tempt her. Then we were arrested and put in the same jail cell. We played different games, trying to keep our minds off the attraction we both were feeling, but finally we had a very erotic conversation. Although neither of us touched the other, it was still a sexual joining of our minds, and both of us experienced a physical release. That was as far as it went. We were turned loose, and that is when I met you.

I tried to keep my distance, but I was really attracted to her, and finally we both gave into that attraction. I did something I wasnt really proud of, knowing that she was in a relationship, but I couldnt stop myself. It only happened one other time. Then she said that you saw us talking at the opening, and that you knew about us and had left her. She told me she wanted nothing to do with me and she wanted to get you back. Since I had no further reason to be at the museum, I did as she asked and stayed away.

About a week later, she showed up at my door late at night, and it started again. She would always be gone by morning, without a word, and then I would go to the CAC to see her. That day you saw us was the end. I had stopped in to break it off, but I just couldnt. Bette took care of that for me though. She told me, in no uncertain terms, that it was over. I left and have not seen her since.

Tina had listened to every word. Her mind had taken over her emotions once again, so there was no outward display of the heartbreak she had begun to feel before cutting it off.

Tina calmly asked Candace, So, what is it you think I know so little of about my wife?

Candace looked right at Tina and replied, Its the control issue. Yes she is very controlling, but she had lost control of just about everything. She tried to control her attraction to me, the pain it had caused you, and the breakup of your relationship, yet she couldnt control anything. She was in a downward spiral, until she finally even lost control over her own emotions. She cried continuously when she was with me. She would call out your name at the most inopportune times. I realized how wrong the whole situation was, because even though I might be the one she was physically with, you were the only one she wanted.

I think she was so guilty over what she had done, that she tried to escape it by pretending what we had was real, but it was just an excuse to get away from the reality of not having you. She ran from a situation that she couldnt control, to a situation she didnt need to control. In the end, she won the control over herself, but lost the control over what really mattered in her life, because what she wanted more than anything in the world, was you.

Those final words did to Tina what none of her friends words could do; they broke through her faade. The tears ran down her face. She couldnt stop them.

Candace softly asked Tina, You still love her dont you? Even after seeing us together in her office. You cant control your emotions or feelings any more than Bette, can you?

Tina responded, Its because I love her so much, that I cant control them. As much as I thought I had my emotions under control, theyve broken free again.

Do you have any idea, how special the love you two share is?

I know how rare I thought it was, until it blew up in our faces!

Tina, I am sorrier than youll ever know, for the damage I caused to your relationship.

Tina just sat there for a moment and then said, I dont think you brought the trouble into our relationship, I think you were just the end result of the trouble already existing. I still believe that if you are truly happy with what you have, then nobody and nothing can ever interfere. Obviously, we were not as happy as I thought we were. Although I blamed you for coming between us, the fault lies with Bette and myself. Your portion of the fault, is not backing off when you realized that she was married. But even if you had, this probably would have happened with someone else.

You dont really believe that Tina, do you?

Yes, I really do. I was so broken by the loss of our child that I wasnt there for Bette, and she wasnt telling me she how unhappy she was. Without that basic communication, how could our relationship survive?

Why did you go to Bettes office that day?

Because I hadnt heard from Bette. She had quit trying to reach me and I was finally ready to talk to her and work on our marriage.

Candace sadly replied, And instead, you walked into something that you should never have had to see the person you love doing.

Tinas voice rose in anger, Cheating on me? Having her brains fucked out in front of me?

Candace was once again taken aback by Tina. She replied, Well, em, maybe but didnt you also notice that Bette was sobbing?

How could I not help but notice. You must be a great *****, because I never got that reaction from her! Why did she break up with you after that?

After once again getting control of her lower jaw, Candace responded. Tina, she was crying from guilt, not pleasure. She felt guilty for being with me and not you, for having driven you away. I realized because of her sobbing, that she was just using me because she thought she didnt stand a snowballs chance in ***** of getting you back.

Tina let these statements run through her mind as she opened her fortune cookie. She read the fortune, then asked Candace, Why are you telling me these things?

Candace thought for a moment, and then responded, I owe you the truth because of the result of my actions. When I went after Bette, you were a non-entity. I had discovered you existed, but I didnt know you. After the conversations we have had, I have come to see just a couple of the qualities that Bette sees in you. I know you love her and I know how much she loves you, and regrets what we did. I also think that although you dont show it, it is killing you to not be with her. I should never have interfered in your relationship, and I deeply regret the pain I have caused you.

You know Candace, I was sort of dreading this discussion, but now I am glad we had it. It was very enlightening on many levels.

I hope my answers gave you what you were looking for, but you and Bette really should talk.
Tina stood up, placed some money on the table, put her fortune in her pocket, and said, Dont worry about that, we will. I have to go now. Im late getting to Milk. See you Monday.

Tina headed out, then turned around and said Candace?

Yes?

Thank you.

Candace replied, No problem.

Tina walked back to the table. I really mean it Candace. Thank you for telling me all you did.

Candace got a little choked up. You are very welcome. Have fun at Milk.

Tina replied as she turned and headed out, I dont think fun is the word I would use, but it should be interesting, to say the least.