Bette walked into Tina’s office and Tina smiled at her.

“Hi, babe.” Tina said.

Bette smiled a weak smile, said hi and walked over to her girlfriend, kissing her deeply; as if it was the last time, she would ever kiss her and then took a deep breath. “Baby, we have to talk.”

Tina frowned. “About what? Did Helena tell you lies about me? I swear nothing happened babe.”

“No, it’s not that. I have to tell you something about my past before Helena does. She will only let it seem even worse than it is.”

Tina sensed it was serious but didn’t want to risk her job. “Okay, look, let’s just talk tonight. I can’t…”

Before she could finish, Bette cut in. “No, Tina, we have to talk right now before Helena gets the chance to do so. It can ruin our relationship if you don’t hear it from me and hear my explanation.”

Tina looked up at Bette and sighed. “Okay, we’ll talk. I’ll lock the door so no one can get in.”

Bette smiled. “Okay.”

Tina stood up and locked the door. She sat down on the couch and patted the place next to her. Bette also sat down and took Tina’s hand in hers. She took a deep breath and began her story.

“When I was 17, I began taking drugs and began drinking. My mom left us when I was four and I saw her again the day I started. I told her I was her daughter and she said me I had to stay away from her and… that she hated me, that I ruined her life. I don’t know what I did wrong, I still don’t and I felt miserable. I heard some people say that drugs and alcohol let you forget the bad things in life so I thought it would help me. A few months after my 18^th birthday, my Dad discovered that I was using drugs and drinking so he kicked me out of the house. He meant it well; he thought that by kicking me out, I would be shocked and decide to come home so he could put me in rehab. You know how suborn I am and I wasn’t very different so many years ago. I had some money but soon, that was all gone; to drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. I began stealing but that didn’t work very well, I didn’t make enough money to keep paying my drug dealer and I got depts. I had to pay it quickly because otherwise, he would kill me. I met Vin; he knew about my problems and said he could help me make fast money. I didn’t know what to do so… I said yes. I…”