Bette would have forgiven Daddyof2. Upon learning that Tina’s impulsive act of promiscuity with Josh Becker was unfulfilled she would have likely forgiven that as well; but knowledge that Tina was on birth control within a week of their separation could only form the conclusion that she’d premeditated having sex with a man. Consummating the act with Henry Young sealed her fate. She’d betrayed her commitment vows within three weeks of confessing her growing feelings for men. When she told Henry that she and Bette were over it was her acknowledgement that whether she found what she was looking for or not she’d already lost the most important person in her life. As Tina cried and hugged the perfume scented pillow she recalled Bette’s words to her.

“Tee. I can appreciate that you are going through something right now that isn’t making any sense to you and you need time to explore it and figure out what it is and what you want. I’m willing to forgive Daddyof2. If you want to go to counseling to see if we can work this out together or if you need time and space I’m here to support that. But if you want to be with Josh or anyone else then I think it’s best that we make it a clean break.

This past year has been agony for me and I know for you as well. I think a separation will be good for both of us. I’ll go to the retreat while you get settled and we’ll talk again in a few weeks. If by then you have some answers and you want to try to work it out I’ll try too, but you need to make the first move. You need to show me that you want to fight for us. If ‘us’ isn’t what you want then we’ll make it legal and go our separate ways.