Unexpectantly,out of the gloom Tina’s ears picked up a sound that seemed totally out of place–the soft music of a nightingale. Opening her eyes she was startled to see the bird sitting on the fence between her property and the next but more startling was the fact that it seemed to be staring directly at her. Strangely though, the distraction seemed to bring a focus to her mind that had been elusive until this moment. As the bird sat quietly watching and cocking its head at her Tina at last felt her thoughts slow and follow a more stable pattern. A calm began to settle over her despite her sense of fear and doubt– memories of their life together made their way to the surface of her mind. The incredible personal emotional cost of Bette’s crazy scheme for getting them pregnant using the artist loomed like a mountain as Tina remembered the night. In light of what she had heard tonight she found herself weeping at the sacrifice that Bette had made for her, for them because of love. She hasn’t changed that much now has she Tina? She is still willing to give everything for the woman she loves Bette’s question of whether he had turned her on took on an entirely new dimension in Tina’s mind and the intensity of their lovemaking afterward touched T’s heart.

Despite the fact that Bette’s revelations had shaken her to the core Tina found a different emotion replacing those that had stormed her psyche–admiration. Admiration for the strength of character required to make the choices Bette had made, choices that had brought her to the place she now was. How easy it would have been to have chosen a different path Tina could only guess, but it would certainly have been the easier of the two of that she was certain. As horrific as the things were that she had heard they were the past–they were not who Bette was now, not in any way that mattered; what mattered was the present, their love, their family, and Bette’s career.

A present that was very much under the shadow of a threat from Bette’s past. A more powerful threat than Tina had realized until tonight. It was certainly looking like Monique was up to something, what exactly Tina was still not sure but she had a much better idea of why now at least. You did not have someone make a sacrifice that intense and costly for you in the name of love and have it not affect you and according to Bette they had not seen each other since. Despite wanting to deny it Tina’s instincts told her she had a good idea what was behind Monique’s latest change of mind. Her meeting with Bette had obviously awoke old feelings and unless she missed her guess Monique planned on trying to win Bette back. Sorry lady, but you are going to have to step off this time. I have no intentions of giving my Bette up to you There was no question their meeting was going to be memorable nor did she question how it would end. No matter what it took Monique was going to fulfill her word to Bette and she was going to know in no uncertain terms that she was not going to get a chance with this Bette Porter as long as Tina was breathing. Looking up toward the fence Tina was surprised that somewhere in the midst of her thoughts the nightingale had taken to the night air again and she was alone with the breeze, the crickets and the cicada.