Summary of the previous chapter: Bette meets with her attorney to negotiate her departure from the CAC. Tina begins to explain to her friends why she slept with Helena.

The day after her meeting with her attorney, Bette receives word that the CAC has met her terms. The settlement will be paid in a lump sum. Bette is happy to hear this.
Most of the day, Bette stays holed up in her office. Whenever Tina tries to come in to talk to her, Bette responds as little as possible, keeping her keys on the computer screen.

The next day is spent much the same way as is the next. Bette is staying in her office coming out only when necessary. This continues for over a week. On a couple of mornings, Bette and Tina go to the Planet for breakfast. However, as soon as they return home, Bette goes back to her office. Tina, who is working only part-time, has a lot of time to spend at home staring at the door of the bedroom which they converted into an office for Bette.

Tina and Bette are still sharing a bed which sports a new comforter and pillows. They walk around each other making conversation when necessary though mostly over benign subjects. Bette continues to sport an almost Zen-like calmness about life and events. It is driving Tina crazy. She misses the old Bette.

After a week and a half of Bettes strange behavior, she mysteriously leaves the house. Tina, feeling guilty, goes into the office and tries to find out what Bette has been doing. Tina suspects that she has been using the laptop. Bette has changed her password and Tina is unable to get into the machine no matter how many words she tries.

Bette returns home with a surprise for Tina.

What the *****? Alice says when she and Dana stop by the house the next day. Bette is, per usual, in her office.

Her name is Mona Lisa, Mona for short.

What the *****?

Apparently, there have been several attacks in the neighborhoods around here. Bette was worried about me while I am jogging so, she got Mona to go with me and keep me safe.

Porter got a dog?

Yes, she is a black Labrador Retriever pup.

Dana thinks that the puppy is adorable and starts to play with Mona.

Bette has been taking her for walks trying to house break her.

Porter has been pooper scooping? Alice ask incredulously.

Yes.

Porter Potty, I love it. I have a new name for her.

Al, be nice, both Tina and Dana admonish her.

Tina invites Al and Dana to come sit by the pool for a drink. Mona goes and sits by Bettes office door.

I dont know what is going on with her. Its driving me crazy.

She just stays in there all day?

Yeah, every once in a while she will come out and read a book for a little bit and then she goes back in there. It is starting to scare me.

But otherwise she is acting normal?

Well if you consider normal not having any temper tantrums, not being rude, buying me a cute puppy and taking it out for walks, not running around with a cell phone glued to her ear, not barking orders at somebody, being home for dinner every night, going to bed at a decent hour, then yeah she is being normal.

Oh god, Porter is sick. Alice responds.

They go back into the house and knock on the bedroom door. Bette leaves the office accompanied by Mona.

Hey Porter Potty she is greeted by Alice.

Hey yourself Bette responds not rising at all to Alices insult.


So, whatcha doing Porter?

Nothing much, just organizing some files. How are you guys doing?

Were okay, Bette. Dana responds.

Mona whimpers and Bette goes to get her lease sensing that she might be due to go out. She excuses herself from the guests and heads off down the sidewalk with her dog.

Alice looks stunned as she watches Bette leave the house. We gotta call Shane and get her over here. This is bad.