At Kits
Bette you have to get to the bottom of this *****, Kit squeezed Bettes hand. You cant expect to make a huge mistake like that and think that an apology will make things right, Kit nibbled on her food.

I know Kit, but she wont even come home, Bette tried to reason.

Kit looked at her with an incredulous expression. She refused to believe Bette couldnt see the stupidity in what shed said. Damn, and they act like Im the dumb one! Kit thought.

Elizabeth Porter! Kit sounded motherly. Are you really thinking before you speak?

What? Bette was dumbfounded, not knowing what she said was so wrong.

Bette, think about it, Kit sipped her chai. You cheat on the woman, yall fight, and she leaves. She later finds out that not only did you see the woman again, but you had her in yalls home. Am I making sense cause you damn sure aint, Kit snapped.

Better turned red. She was completely embarrassed by her own false reasoning. Bette looked at Kit and wondered why shed always second-guessed her ability to be rational. She felt like a fool.

Im sorry, Bette said, sincerely. I guess I let my selfishness get the best of me huh? Kit nodded. Okay, now that thats established, what do I do? I miss her Kit and I still love her very much. Shes my wife, my partner, and my best friend, and now shes to be none of those things. I need her!

Bette began to cry and it tore Kit up. Bette had always been the strong one. The one who everyone went to when they had a problem or needed something. Now she was the one in need. Kit pulled her off the stool and held her in a tight embrace.

Now, now girlie, youve gotta pull yourself together, Kit consoled. And the first way you do it, is by eating some humble pie, Bette eased out of Kits arms and had doe-eyed look. Oh ***** yeah! You better start eatin cause you need to put yourself in check lil sis, Kit sat Bette back on the stool. Aint no way in ***** youre gonna sit there and tell me that you cant do that. You owe that much to her, Kit said with finality.

She was not going to back down on this one. Kit reheated their food and they ate in silence as Kit tendered her thoughts. She wasnt pleased that Tina had put her hands on Bette, or that Bette had returned the roughness. She also wasnt happy to hear that Tina hit Candace, even though she probably deserved it; but wrong was wrong and Bette was at the root of it all. All theyre other problems were easily rectifiable with some better communication, a little swallowing of pride, and maybe even a vacation to reconnect. But cheating? The violation of the most sacred trust, oh no, that was something that Kit wasnt going to stand for and she wasnt about to condone what Bette did, sister or no sister.
Talk to me Kit, Bette pleaded, tired of Kits silence. I really need help with this.

Ive done all I can for now, Kit crossed her hands over her chest. Ive listened, made some suggestions, and now the rest is up to you. If you love her, miss her, and need her like you say, then youd get off yo narrow ***** and do something about it, Kit said firmly.

So, thats it? Youre just going to turn your back on me? Bette argued.

No, and there ya go doin it again, Kit picked up on Bettes attempt to make things someone elses problem and not her own.

What? What the ***** did I do now? Bette yelled.

Kit jumped off the stool and got in Bettes face. Aww naw, lil girl, I aint Tina and I aint gonna have you talkin to me like that, Kit quickly put Bette in check. Thats part of ya damn problem Bette, you wont fess up when youre wrong, Bette eased back in her seat. I never said I was turning my back on you. You didnt ask me how I felt if you stepped out, so you cant ask me to back you up now. Ill be here to guide you, be a shoulder to cry on, or whatever, but you need to go the extra mile here. Go to her and work this ***** out woman to woman. Bette looked away and Kit took her chin and lifted it up. I know its not gonna be easy. Its like when I have to face Melvin, but I do it, so now its your turn.

At Todais
I actually forgot we had lunch plans, Alice said, as she swallowed her tuna roll.

Thats good, because for a moment I did too and hoped you wouldnt object to a late lunch, Tina replied. So, what had you so engrossed anyway?

Oh, just some story Im working on, Alice casually replied, between bites.

For the magazine? What do they have you working on theses days? Tina was genuinely interested.

Actually, its not for the magazine. Id already finished that assignment, Alice eased back in her seat to let her food digest a little. Its something I wanna get published for myself, Alice said with a grin.

Alice had Tinas attention and she leaned forward to hear more as if they were trading secrets. Tina had started to miss working since the miscarriage and was seriously thinking of getting back in the work force. Being as stay at home mom would have been ideal had shed had the baby, but since it hadnt happened, she realized there was now a void in her life. And an even bigger one now that she and Bette were separated. Volunteering with Oscar was great too, but now she needed an income. There was no more relying on her savings, investments, and Bette. She had to get back on her own two feet.

Sounds interesting. What are you writing about? Tinas interest was peaked.
Truthfully? Tina nodded. Its loosely about us, Tina creased her brow as she sipped her iced tea. Alice continued. Its about the gang, how we relate to each other, all the stuff we share and go through. Basically a fictional story about life as ***** friends.

Oh, I get it now. Im sorry. Im a little slow today, Tina confessed.

Yeah, I noticed, Alice teased, making an L on her forehead for looser. Tina laughed and threw a carrot stick at her.

Hey, no playing with your food, Alice winced. Hey, can I ask you something? Alice got serious.

Yeah. Sure, Tina eased back a little.

Whats going on with you and Porter? Any improvements in that department? Alice whispered.

No, not really, Tina admitted. At breakfast this morning, we talk right? Alice nodded. At the end of our talk, she gave me an ultimatum saying she wasnt going to wait forever for me to make my mind up, Tina said with a huff.

Damn! Thats bold, even for her. Then what? Alice started eating again.

Naturally, I was pissed. But then the strangest thing happened Al, Tina paused. I managed not to internalize it and used the energy for good, Alices eyes widened, but she couldnt speak because her mouth was full. She motioned for Tina to continue. I had already did some investigating and got some info about Candy *****, Alice grinned. Anyway, I used some of your tactics and one of your special contact Janet and got more info

You did what now? Alice was stone faced. You used my contacts? Tina nodded not sure if that was a good or bad thing. Wow! Im impressed Tina. You really are using your powers for good, Alice grinned again. So?

Well, I went to see Candy ***** and basically told her to step off and that Id be handling things from now on. I threw what I knew about her in her face and she choked. I think its safe to say, shes so far out of the picture, we may never see her again, Tina smiled.

Find something good I presume?

Yeah, lets just say, shes got some bones in her closet.

Does Porter know about this? You seeing Candy ***** and all?

No, but Ill tell her though when we have our face to face, Tina said confidently.

Alice was impressed with Tina and her current disposition. Shed hated seeing Tina cry, not eat, and reduce herself to be nothing more than Bettes appendage.

Good show Kennard! Im proud of you, Alice reached out her hand for a high-five. Stick to your guns kiddo, cause I dont ever wanna see you the way I have for the past month. And Ill quote Janet, Ms. Jackson if youre nasty, they both laughed. How empty of me, to be so full of you

Thats deep! Tina nodded as she replayed the quote in her head. Yeah, real deep. Nah, you wont have to worry about me anymore Alice. This Tina Kennard has a new lease on life.