«It has results? Jesus…», Bette asked incredulously.

«Ready?»

«No, but go ahead», Bette said.

«Incident number one… Bette, you come back from New York and when we ask how your trip went, you spend an entire hour talking about a wonderful woman you met on a plane, a straight although maybe a bit confused but straight nonetheless woman, instead of talking about the Big Apple. The right answer should have been, A- New York was great, B- New York was a bore or C- I met a nice straight woman but I threw her off the plane when I noticed how attracted I was to her», Alice told her.

Bette stared at them in disbelief, not knowing if she should laugh or cry. But deep down, she knew they meant well and felt quite grateful that she had such good friends.

«Here’s another exemple», Dana said. «An appropriate response to the question «Why weren’t you at The Planet last night?» is A- I had to work late, B- I was too tired to go out, which also would have been good, but C ?? Shane you want to take this one», Dana asked.

She handed the sheet to Shane. «Ok, C- Tina came over and we fucked all night long… ».

Alice took over. «Bette, we love you, we really do and that’s why it pains us to see you in this down world spiral. I mean, look at you, you’re pale, you lost some weight and you don’t even pay attention to the hot women that comes through The Planet’s doors anymore»

Alice, Shane and Dana stood up, asking her to take a look at the other questions they came up with and to call any of them, night or day, if she needed to talk. After another «We love you», they were out the door.

Bette grabbed her cell phone and called Tina, but all she got was her answering machine. «Tina, please call me. We need to talk…»

Two days later, Bette still hadn’t heard from Tina and she was going out of her mind. Where was she ? What the fuck was she doing ? She was pondering those questions when she walked pass her boss’ office. Franklin was on the phone, but he waved her in.

«No, I’m sure it’s nothing like that. Don’t worry, it’s probably just nerves. Yeah, of course… All right, I’ll talk to you later». Franklin hung up, looking rather serious and worried.

«Is everything all right Franklin?»

«Yeah, yeah… That was Joe. He’s worried about Tina», Franklin said.

«Oh?», Bette said, wanting to hear more.

«He says she’s acting strange. I told him she was probably nervous about the big day… I know I was ! Joe has another theory… He thinks she may be… seeing someone else».

«An… affair?»

«I know, it’s non sense. Bette. Tina loves my son, I know she does and beside, she just got moved here. Maybe she just need someone to talk to… Another woman… Listen, I don’t like to ask personal favour from my employees, but… would you talk to her ? Of course, you won’t have to tell me what you find out, but maybe it’ll do her some good…»

«I—I don’t know, Franklin… I mean, I just met her twice. It would be kind of awkward to pry in her private business…», although it already happened three times, Bette thought to herself, thinking about her love-making with Tina.

«Just go out to dinner or for a drink, Bette. Please…», Franklin begged.

Bette sighed heavily and agreed to talk to Tina. «Good, I know she’s home right now so why don’t you give her a call», Franklin told her, handing her the phone. «Her number is 555….»