Bette felt stupid. Breaking down to a total stranger and now sitting in her kitchen while her neighbour made tea. But then, Tina didn’t feel like a total stranger. Bu Bette had
long since gave up trusting her intuition with people, and just went with it. She was prepared to leave if need be. Tina came closer and sat down after making the tea, pushing the cup
towards Bette. Bette drank half the cup in one gulp, her throat burning like her gullet skin peeled off. She cleared her throat…but Tina spoke first…”I should apologise Bette…that
book is really harcore, for lie…extreme S&M, and I should have recommended something for beginner’s or for your research, like a reference or guide….it’s my fault for giving that, people
react in different ways to that kind of thing, it might have…triggered something…you wouldn’t be the first one” Bette could have hugged her, but she didn’t. And only drank more tea, to
clear her throat her mind her heart. Tina….what a woman, most people would probably throw her out. Bette was so ready to have a fight too. That made her feel really guilty, how
could she think of force after last night? Yea the book might have disturbed Bette and she didn’t even know. But then, why would that disturb her in the first place? what was so
wrong with her that she would freak out on her husband and then to her neighbour…..err, not “neighbour” anymore really…..but Tina.

 Tina could see the war going on in Bette’s mind, the battle was playing out on her face. One eyebrow was furrowed while the other in the throes of thinking-wrinkle mode. Tina
took a sip of her own tea and waited for Bette to speak. Sometimes people needed a little time, and space…so Tina went back to her tea, trying not to look at Bette so much. she
was thinking about her dad all of a sudden, she saw this kind of expression that was on Bette’s face on her fathers’ too. A kind of…overwhelming question of WHY? Tina felt
sensitive all of a sudden. Her father was so vulnerable and needed tina to be strong this time, and Bette….her friend? maybe?….needing her for a different reason. It felt like
they were fighting over her…..she had to breathe.

 Bette could see the tension in Tina’s face. was she intruding too much? Just spit it out Bette…spit it out spit it out spit it out..”Tina, something isn’t right in my life and now
your entangled in it because of the book and because you can help” There she said it….Tina would be involved now. Bette made it so with that little add-on. She just felt comfortable
around Tina, maybe that was why. *****. “What do you mean I can help?” Tina asked, puzzled but not really, more like relieved it was said.

 Bette looked down at her tea and tina knew Bette didn’t know what to say or would. Nobody answered Tina’s question and nothing was said about it. Instead Tina breathed
out slowly and giggled…”We really need a lighter setting, how about we have lunch today at a nice light place and forget all the ***** that’s been going down and just…you know, get
to know each other…then i’ll maybe be able to answer my own question” Bette broke out in a huge grin, that was exactly what was needed to be said…spot on.

 They both left for work leaving many questions in the air, many feelings about many things ignored, and issues unresolved. But both felt like the other had some answers, maybe even half-answers.