**Bette**

Reaching for the phone seemed an eternity for Bette, a thousand possibilities played out in her mind, none of which were good. As she moved out of the kitchen, phone in hand Bette caught Tina’s look of frustration. She’s just going to have to deal. I can only handle so much at once! she thought to herself as she answered the call.

"Phyllis its Bette what’s happened?’

"Hello to you too!" came the sarcastic response from the other end of the line.   The contours of the room blurred with anger for Bette as she immediately sensed what what was happening. Something was off with the intonation and she knew exactly what.

"This is not funny Monique!! What the hell is wrong with you?? How dare you call my house and pretend to be my boss I have no idea what fucking kind of game you are playing but it is going to stop right now!" she hissed into the phone.

"Well, I can see you have definitely lost what little sense of humour you had B. I called to let you know what I had accomplished so far but if you’re not interested I can just hang up" the soft Caribbean tones did little to mask the disapproval in the words–disapproval that had no business being there as far as Bette was concerned and Monique’s use of her former pet name sent a tendril of unnamed caution shooting through Bette’s consciousness. What the hell have I gotten myself into. I may have fucked this up beyond belief asking for Monique’s help. Bette fumed through her rage.  She had foolishly thought she now realized that she could control Monique as she had in the past, as if the only person who had changed or grown in the intervene years had been her. Bette only hoped that her miscalculation would not have fatal consequences.  Breathing deeply  she walked to the couch and sat–she needed the feel of the solid piece of furniture under her-contact with it she found was helping her to ground herself and concentrate like she needed to. Think Porter. You need to get control of this again.

**Tina**

Hearing the quiet but definite tones of rage coming from the direction of the living room Tina’s mind began to whirl  What is Bette doing? She can’t possibly be talking to Phyllis like that!! but she had been sure that it had been Phyllis when she answered.  Glancing quickly over at Angelica who sat playing with a toy in her chair Tina was satisfied that she could leave her to entertain herself for at least a few minutes.  Walking with the as much determination as she could muster Tina entered the living room. Bette had taken a seat on the couch and was staring out the window as she spoke; her rage was more controlled and the words sounded firm and directive. It was a tone of voice that Tina was more than familiar with–it was not the sign of good things to come.