Friday Afternoon:

Two days, two whole days of uncontrollable nervous breakdown. Butterflies in the stomachfull and complete nervous breakdown. That is what Tina felt like those two days that had passed since she spoke to Kit and promised her that she would come to the Grand Opening of the Planet. She was nervous and frustrated. Mostly because she felt yucky and swollen from the pregnancy.
The last thing on her mind was to go out to a crowded party feeling like a pregnant Pit Bull. That and the fact that she is going to see Bette again almost drove her crazy.
And the person that she took her frustration out on was none other than Alice.
Alice was taking it like a woman, nodding her head in agreement to everything that Tina said and oh boy was she talking. Tina hadnt stopped talking since the evening that Kit invited her to the party. Going on and on about how she will be strong and not let Bette have her way with her again.

Tina: Ill just tell her, listen Bette, I am just here to show my support for Kit. Dont you think for a second that I have any feelings for you. Why dont you go back to your carpenter girl and leave me the ***** alone?
Thats itthats what Ill say to her if she even tries to talk to me. Even if she tries one thing to get my attention. Im telling you Alice, Im not doing this again. Not now, not ever.
Again Alice just nodded knowing that tonight will probably be a living ***** for her and the girls having to be around cranky Tina all night.

Tina picked up the phone for the twentieth time today to call Oscar.
Hes not picking upwhere is he? Why does he have his cell phone off?

Alice couldnt take it anymore. Tina she said, trying not to upset the mad woman in front of her, hes working on the apartmenthe has a lot of work. It is not even remotely ready for you to move in.
Tina: Yeah, but he could have at least have his phone on in case I go into labor.
Alice: Tina, Alice continued carefully, I think he has his cell phone off because you are driving him crazy. You called him like a hundred times today just to ask if the kitchen cabinets are ready. Relax, have a pickle or something.

Tina was offended, she didnt realize what a pain she had been the past couple of days.
So she went back to her room and again took out all of her clothes just to realize that she has nothing decent to wear to the party. When she finally got dressed, it was almost 9 oclock. Almost time to leave the house.

She stood in front of Alice and asked her how she looked.
You look great said Alice. Genuinely thinking that the red blouse tied down to the chest and loose on the bottom that Tina was wearing, showing her full breast, complimentary of the pregnancy, was making her look like the sexiest pregnant woman Alice had ever seen.
I look like a Pit Bull, complained Tina a red Pit Bull.

No you dont, replied Alice. You look hot and *****. You should ask the doctor if you can keep those hubba, hubba, ***** of yours. They are making me drool.
Alice was making a face of a dog in heat, sticking her tongue out and panting.
Tina: Yeah whatever, down tiger, down.

They both started to laugh, when the phone rang. Thats probably Shane calling to say she will be late, said Alice as Tina picked up the phone. It wasnt Shane.
Tina could hear strange noises coming out of the phone and when she said hello for the third time she heard a familiar voice on the other side. A voice so distant and soft, Tina?
Teresa….. Hey…. how are you? Tinas heart almost popped out of her breast and out of her blouse.
Teresa: Hi honey, its so good to hear your voice.
Teresa was practically screaming into the phone.
Tina started screaming as well. How is Africa, are you okay?
Yes, yes, Im fine. Its amazingI cant even begin to tell you what we are doing here. Its so intense. How are you?
Tina: Im greatgrowing bigger and bigger each day, she said laughing. Did you speak to Karina?
Teresa: Yes, I just called there. She is okay, having a good time with her father, He spoils her as usual…..Im sorry I cant call you often. We will only be in Adis Ababa, the capital once a week to get supplies and medicine. The only phone available is here a few hours drive from where we are located. Ill call you whenever we are here. ”

Tina: Its okay Teresa, Im happy to hear you are okay. Dont worry about me, this must cost you a fortune

Teresa: I dont care, Teresa spoke softer now, but still loud enough for Tina to hear her. “I think about you all the timeevery second of every minute.”
Tina: Me too, she lied.
Teresa: I miss you so much. I cant wait to see you again.
I miss you too, said Tina. This time it wasnt a lie. She really did miss Teresa. Its been hard not to see or talk to her.
Tina realized how much she cared for her only after she left.

Teresa: How is every.
Tina couldnt hear what Teresa was saying. The line was breaking up. Hello, hello”, she yelled into the phone?
Teresa: Tina, you are breaking up….. I have to go. I love you.
And with that the lines got cut off leaving Tina with the phone in her hand listening to the sound of the dial tone.
She stood there for a few seconds, still flushed with the sound of Teresas voice feeling the warmth it made her feel every time she was in Teresas presence.

She looked up and saw Alice staring at her. Is she okay?
Yes, she is finewe got disconnected.
Tina was ashamed .”if only Teresa knew the thoughts that ran through my mind in the past few days, she would be ashamed of me too.” she thought.

Alice: Come on we have to gowe are late, she said trying not to let Tina see the fact that she noticed Tinas confusion.
They locked the door, got into the mini van and headed to The Planet.


They arrived at The Planet at 9:30 just in time to see Dana and Shane waiting for them outside. They said there hellos, walked in following the music coming out of the back room.

That is some party going on inside, said Shane as they walked in. I have never seen so many hot woman in the same place, my entire life.

Thats sounds good to me, said Alice right before they all stopped in their tracks, their jaws dropping to the floor to see what Kit has done with the place.
There are disco lights all over, hot go go girls and boys dancing in cages coming out from the ceiling right on top of the dance floor.
The music was blasting from a new hi-tech sound system located on the right side of the hall playing Girls just want to have fun, to the enjoyment of dozens of sweaty, hot, mostly women dancing there, their bodies rubbing up against each other in ecstasy.
The left side there was a huge bar, bigger than the one that was there before, serving free shots to every woman that took her bra off and hung it on top of the bar.
In the middle there was a stage, all prepared and ready for a show fit for a Madonna concert. In front of the stage there were tables and chairs facing the stage that seated at least 40 tipsy and happy people.

Kit walked over to the shocked gang and greeted them with a hug.
Kit: Im so happy you could make it, she said aiming her words to them and especially to Tina. Come on, Ill show you to your table.

They all followed her to the center of the bar where she had a table reserved for them. It was a center table located right in front of the stage, but far enough from the blasting speakers.

Tina: Wow Kit! This is great, well donethank you so much.
Kit: Its nothing” said humble Kit, ” Just sit down and relax. The night is on me, enjoy.
They sat down around the table amazed at the amount of food and drink that was waiting for them. All prepared with style, elegance that was so appropriate for a Porter party.

They started to dig into the food and raising their glasses to toast the baby. Tina herself was raising a ginger ale soda poured into a champagne glass, Wishing she could have a shot of tequila instead. She was so nervous.she needed a whole bottle of tequila to calm her nerves down. Her eyes searched the room for Bette.
Her heart seeking the strength to go through with this night.
Half an hour later, Dana was the first to notice Bette.
The Martini in her hand almost spilled when she noticed Tina had spotted her to.

Bette was talking to Kit. Her hand wrapped around her sisters shoulder. A smile full of love and pride on her face.

Tina stared at them. They seemed so caught up in their conversation like nothing else existed.
The site of Bette almost gave Tina a heart attack. She was breath taking in her Gucci black suit and the blue silk blouse showing her long perfect neck, so elegant, so powerful. Tina almost stopped breathing. She couldnt look away, just like she had in the parka memory that haunted her night and day.

A man approached the two sisters, handing Bette a glass of wine. At first Tina couldnt see his face, but when he turned around she saw it was James, Bettes assistant.
Bette took the glass from his hand and turned her eyes straight into Tinas direction, facing her, looking straight into her eyes.

“Busted”Tinas heart stopped”She saw me staring at her. I am so stupid. Look away.look away,” but she couldnt. Bettes eyes were piercing straight into her soul, just like they always did the past eight years with the same look in her eyes, just like the one she had in the park.

Bette started to smilea smile so captivating Tinas knees were melting. This time she didnt smile back. Her heart exploding, she just kept staring at Bette. Bette on the other hand seemed relaxed and confident. She raised her glass and made a toast sign into Tinas direction.
Tina didnt raise her glass back. She brought it to her lips and drank the entire contents, her eyes not leaving Bettes eyes.
Bette did the same and when she stopped, she put her glass on the bar and left the room leaving James and Kit staring at each other.

Tina had a storm of emotions inside her. Something stronger than she ever felt before. Hurricane Bette has struck her again. Suddenly she wasnt feeling strong enough for this. Another encounter with Bette has left her speechless.
She knew that the next one would leave her helpless.

She got up, apologized to the girls. She said she wasnt feeling well and wanted to go home. They were all just starting their night and didnt want Tina to leave, but reluctantly told her that she should go home and rest if she wasnt feeling well. Of course they all knew why the sudden getaway was happening, but none of them said a word.

Tina walked over to Kitshe said hello to James and explained to Kit that she had to leave.
Kit didnt arguethey hugged each other and said their goodbyes.
Alice was waiting for Tina at the door to drive her home and when they exited The Planet, James was the one to ask Kit, Damn it!,” He said, shes leaving… Bette will be devastated…. Arent you going to do anything to stop her?
Kit just smiled. Dont worry Jimmy boy, its all part of the planall part of the plan.

TBC