Tina is not sure why she is there. She is listening to the lawyer talking about Bette being controlling. Tina is adamant about not going after Bette or Bettes money. Tina knew she should not be here, but Alice had insisted she go to just listen to her options. The more Tina listened to the Joyce, the more sense it made. She did need her autonomy back. Bette brought this on herself by ***** the carpenter. Tina gave Joyce the name and number of Bettes lawyer, what the ***** she thought to herself.

***at the CAC

Bette: James, Tina can not possibly live in the Valley, I want her near me, so find something else, I will sign a 6 month lease and lose all my money if it means Tina will come home.

James: I will start looking right now Bette.

Lawyer: Excuse me Bette, I thought you might want to know that I just heard from Tinas lawyer. I think her name is Joyce, she is requesting your bank statements, appraisal on the house and a list of you assets. Do you think you can get these together for me this week?

Bette: *****, my bank statements? An appraisal on the house, assetswhat the ***** is Tina thinking?

Lawyer: Look, Bette, I am not sure what is going on, but I need these things this week, we have a meeting next week with Tina and her lawyer.

Bette: FUCKJames, I have to goI will be in touch, and ( looking at the lawyer) you will get the things you need this week,

Bette got into her car and tried to figure out what Tina was thinking. A lawyer? Bette knew she had screwed up with this affair and the time it took Bette to figure out what she wanted, but Tina should know, Bette would never leave her high and dry. A lawyer?? Bette pulled up to Alices, she needed to talk to Tina, to find out what was going on in her head. Bette reached the door, she could hear Alice inside, Bette knocked hard on the door.

Alice: Hi Bette

Bette: where the ***** is Tina?

Alice: she is at work but come in

Bette: She hired a lawyer, Alice.

Alice: she did not hire a lawyer, she consulted a lawyer, she needed to see what her options are. I set her up with a lawyer so she could see what options she did have, she did not hire one.

Bette: bank statements, appraisals, assets, that does not sound like consultation to me.

Alice: She is alone and has no money Bette, I love you but sometimes you can be heartless.

Bette: ***** YOU ALICE

Alice: ***** me? Bette, Tina is alone and scared, you deserted her, I know how she feels, I have been there with you.

Bette: that is a low blow Alice, I thought you were my friend, well let me tell you something friend you can judge me all you want, but my advice, stay out of my life, and never cross that line again Alice, you are so bitter about us after 8 years, for Gods sake, Alice, we went out 6 weeks, I did us a favor leaving, it was going NOWHERE. I can not believe after all these years you are holding a grudge. You are going to get back at me one way or the other arent you? ***** you Alice, stay away from me you got that?

Alice: it is not like that Bette, come on, we can talk you know we have always been able to talk, I am sorry, I did not mean to cross any lineBette dont leave this way.

Bette turned and looked at Alice and walked out of the door. She could not believe that Alice was holding a grudge from 8 years ago, she really thought they had moved beyond that.

***meanwhile at the coffee house***

Tina: Tonya and Dana ought to go see Joyce, she is doing wonders for me,

Alice: Leave me out of thatI cant go there, Bette totally reamed me for suggesting Tina go to a lawyer.

Shane: I cant blame her, sorry Tina, but poor Bette, she is really getting the ***** end of the deal,

Tina: look Shane, Bette is not the innocent bystander you know.

With that Tina walked away, leaving Shane to her own thoughts.


***At Bettes house***

Bette was sitting on the front steps thinking of the events of the day, lawyers, arguments with best friends, meeting Marinas husband!, co-signing for Kit, seeing Tina at the restaurant. how did I let this get so out of control?

Shane walked up to the steps where Bette was sitting.

Shane: hey, you okay?

Bette: yes, thank you for calling, I was feeling lonely.

Shane: yes. This really sucks, doesnt it Bette?

Bette: yes, I just dont know how I let it get so out of control.

Shane: sometimes ***** is not always in control.

Bette: I used to think it was.

Shane: My take, to avoid the big mess that sucks and ***** with your life, just keep it simple.

Bette: you mean like ***** with out any emotional entanglement?

Shane: it is not for everyone, and you are a well rounded person, Bette.

Bette: I think I would like to be in your shoes at this moment, Shane.

At that moment, a look passed between Shane and Bette. A look that made Shane wonder what it meant?

It made Bette think, she is not too tough after all.

The rest of the evening they sat and talked. Jenny had joined them and they discussed Shane moving in with Jenny and helping out with the rent, Bette really liked the idea of having Shane as her neighbor. She knew Tina would like it too, if Tina ever came home.

Shane could see Bettes thoughts running like the wind, she opened another beer and handed it to her friend. Life threw some serious curve balls at this woman.

TBC next week