I close my locker and pick up my bag heading out to the court. I better call Bette to see if she can have lunch.

Hello, California Art Center, Bette Porters Office, her assistants voice comes on the phone.

Bette Porter please, I ask for her. This is her friend Dana.

Dana, Im sorry, but Bette went home for a little while, he answers, Can I take a message?

Uh, nothanksIll just call her at home. I hang up and dial the house.

Hi this is Bette and Tina, Tinas voice is still on the machine, we cant come to the phone right now, but leave a message and well be sure to get back to you. BEEEP!

Bette! Its DanaI called your office and your assistant told me you went home for a while. He said youd be back, but I couldnt wait. BetteI need your help. I hang up as I walk onto the tennis court. Setting my bag down I turn up the volume of my ringer. I cant miss her if she calls me back.


Later, Im back in the locker room rushing through my shower to get ready for lunch with Bette. I am so glad she called me back. I dress and hit the roadwere meeting at a little caf Ive been dying to try.

I walk up and, not seeing Bette, find a table outside. I start sucking on my thumb nail. Why do I always do that? I soon realize Im bouncing my knee under the table. Im jitteryanxiousnervousTheres Bette. I jump up waving, I look like a geek. Calm down Danacalm down. Shell know what to do. Bette always knows how to fix things. Here she comes.

I need your advice, stupid Dana…let her sit down first.

Okay, she answers, sitting down. I knew it, I jumped in too quickly. About what?

Too late nowjust spit it out. Do you remember when I was having trouble gauging Lara Perkins?

Yeeessss, she says, a little curious.

Well Im having the same kind of problem. Im starting to panic. What if she cant help methen where will I be?

You meanyoure having trouble with yourgaydar again? My what? Dana, shes engaged to youshes a *****.

Whowhat engaged? She thinks Im talking about Tonya. no, I dont mean Tonyaand its not a gaydar thingwell, not really.

What do you mean not really? she asks.

Its more like, an I cant read people thing. Did that come out right? Great Dana, now youre confusing hershe wont be able to help you if you keep doing that.

DanaI need a little more information than youre giving me right now, wow, dj vu moment.

Its Alice! Alright, there I said it. I need advice about Alice.

Wellshes bisexual and

No, I dont mean like that.

Dana, you have to spit it out for me. I dont have the foggiest idea what youre trying to ask me.

Well, it started the night of the Provocations exhibit.

Please dont remind me about that night. Oops!

Sorry, but I have toso, I was at homewith Tonyasound asleep in bed, when Alice shows up on my doorstep. She told me I couldnt marry Tonya.

Im sorry to tell you this Dana, but Alice never really liked Tonyaand she never hid her feelings either. What do you mean she never really liked Tonya? I couldnt tell!

Really? I never saw it!

Now I see what you mean about not being able to read people. Finally! So, youre asking me how to get Alice to get along with Tonya? Wait, nothats not what I mean.


No, let me finish. So I answer the door and Alice is telling me I cant marry Tonya. So I ask her why. She tells me because. So, I say because what.

Cut to the chase Da…

She kissed me, I say, I couldnt stop myselfit just came out.

Ooohhand what did you say? she sounds a little skeptical.

I didnt say anything.

So what happened?

I kissed her back. Now youve gone and done it Alice. At least its out. I feel so relieved to tell someone.

Now is this the same kiss were talking aboutand you just didnt back away? Or did she pull away and you kissed her back?

She stopped, can I really explain this? Then I kissed her back.

WowDana. How did it feel? What is she asking ME forshes kissed Alice before!

You knowyou dated Alice for awhile.

No, not how did it feel?I mean how did it FEEL, she points to her chesther heart. Ooohhhh, how did it FEEEEELLL?

It felt goodreally goodBette it just felt sosoright, I let out the last words with a sigh.

Then you have a lot of thinking to do. You cant take that chance with Alice if youre still with Tonyalearn from my mistakes. Learn from her mistakes? Oh my god, I forgot about her and Tinaand Im asking her about relationship adviceshe must hate me right now. But I need this helpI have to ask her.

But how do I know if she really has feelings for me? How do I know she didnt just do it to stop me from marrying Tonya?

Danayou have to think about how YOU feel. Dont think about Alicethink about whether you want to spend the rest of your life with Tonya or without her. If you find that you can live without Tonyathen tell herBEFORE you go after Alice. Good pointnow I know why I had to come to Bette.

Then, suddenly, she changes the subject. This must have been so hard for her to talk about. Ill just go with her leadbut I have to find out whats going oneventually.

Well into our meals, I cant help but ask. I have to find out about Tina.

Bette? Can I ask you something?

Go ahead, she says, unsuspecting. You can ask me anythingyou know that.

Whats going on with you and Tina? Im sorry, but I HAD to ask!

I dont know Dana, she replies, I dont know. There are a few things I have to work out on my own, before I can share any of it with you guys. I wish I could tell you more. Shell open up when shes ready, I guess. Shell get through thisTHEYLL get through thisthey have to. How can I make her feel better? I feel terrible about bringing it up.

Okay, I say, as long as you know you can come to me if you need to talkin fact Im sure I speak for the others when I say you can go to any of them also.

I know. Thank youand thanks for lunch. She looks like she wants to leave. Ill just pay the check to thank her for the advice. She wont let me pay. At least give her a hug Dana.

I feel my cell phone vibrate as I leave the caf. The caller ID tells me its Tonya.

Hello?

Hi Sweetie, she sound bubbly, where are you?

I just finished having lunch, I tell her, Im on my way back to the club for an afternoon training session.

Well, where did you have lunch? Were you alone? Why do I get this feeling like shes becoming clingy? All week, Ive gotten this vibe!

Sorry, I excuse myself, a friend needed me. Listen I gotta goIll see you at home later, I hang up before she has a chance to respond.

To Be Continued