Candace, feeling very uncomfortable, broke Tinas hold and stood up. She avoided Bettes eyes as she turned to beat a hasty retreat; however, Tinas voice followed her.

Thanks Candace, both for helping me in here and for agreeing to help me later.

Candace was flustered and more than just a little shocked by Tina.

No problem Tina, just let me know when. She said as she escaped the room, closing the door behind her.

Bette hadnt taken her eyes off Tina since she had arrived. She was just barely holding it together, but knew that she was the one who broke the vows of their marriage and had no right to be upset about the situation she now found herself in. But why Candace? Wasnt there a single other person that Tina could express her freedom with? Then she realized that Tina had chosen the perfect poison to coat the tip of the arrow that had just pierced her heart. To find anyone else in that compromising position with her wife would not have shattered her near as much as the person who had been the catalyst of their breakup.

Bette quietly said, Sorry I missed breakfast, but as I explained on your voicemail, I was unavoidably detained. I didnt want you to think I was avoiding you, so I brought lunch to try and make it up to you. Im not really very hungry, so I will just leave the food and you can call me later if you want to talk. Sorry I interrupted.

Bette put the bags down on Tinas desk and turned to leave.

Where are you running off to now Porter? Tina asked. First you stand me up for breakfast, and now you are running out on lunch. I thought you didnt want me to think you were avoiding me?

Bette sighed and softly said, Tina, this is a very awkward situation, and I have to get back to work anyway. So give me a call later and we can arrange a time to talk.

You are a liar Bette. A liar and a coward. You are just running again. I called James earlier and I know you were not even in work today, so you dont have to get back to anything. Is this how I am supposed to learn to trust you again Bette? By continuously catching you in your lies?

Now Bette was starting to get angry.

Frankly Tina, at this point, I dont really give a damn if you trust me or not, because I am not so sure that I trust you anymore.

Well! Tina said, There is some of that Porter backbone! You havent turned into a totally pathetic, guilt ridden wimp.

No I havent. Bette replied, But you have turned into a totally unfeeling *****! Is this what you call missing your friend Tina? Well guess what, I miss my friend too, my BEST friend. But I wont ruin the memory of that friendship by continuing to deal with what you have become. And if you want to call that avoidance, well thats as good a label as any!

Tina stood up and a grimace crossed her face as the pain in her ankle stabbed her, but she ignored it as she started in on Bette.

And just who do you think has turned me into this ***** Bette? YOU! You with your lies, betrayal, affair and avoidance. You who gave me a week before returning to your mistress, that is if you ever left her to begin with.

You want feelings and emotions Bette? Here are some for you! I feel pain. I feel betrayed. I feel like Ive been ground up and thrown away. Ive had my heart ripped out of my chest, and when I tried to pick it up; it was torn from my hands and shredded to pieces, because no matter what I had imagined between the two of you, it was a thousand times worse to have actually witnessed it!

So, do you want to know what I feel now? I feel anger, at you and the world for how things have turned out. I feel fear, for the unknown future. I feel the need to protect the little bit of my heart that I have managed to piece together, to protect it from you. I cant allow you back in to destroy me yet again. I feel lonely, because the only person I needed and wanted in my life, is not only out of reach, but has left me feeling so totally unneeded and unwanted. I feel insecure, unloved and unattractive. I feel like I need someone, anyone, to make me feel even partly human again.

And yes, I miss my friend. I miss YOU! But at the same time I hate you. I hate the feelings you invoke when I think I have them all under control. I hate the fact that I still need you, want you, and love you even after everything you have put me through.

So what do you think now Bette? Am I really such an unfeeling *****, or am I a broken person that is trying to get a handle on what is left of her life?

Tina. Bette started as she took a step towards her.

Tina threw up her hand.

No Bette. I didnt tell you all those things to get your sympathy. I did it because I lost control of my emotions yet again. But I will get them back under control, without your help.

Bette just shook her head and softly said, If you really want to attempt to be friends, call me. But until we can be in the same room without flaying each other open, I dont think we should see each other. I love you Tina, too much to continue to tear whatever is left of us into even smaller pieces.

As Bette turned to go, Tina sat back down and said, On your way out, would you ask Candace to come back in?

Bette turned and gave Tina one last sad look.

If you want Candace, that is your choice. But you can damn well go get her yourself.

Bette walked out and gently closed the door.