You’ve expressed feelings and emotions that you’ve repressed over the course of months and years. You’ve cried together and you’ve found comfort in each other. I rarely see that this early on in the process. That’s a good sign that you two may not be as far apart as you might think. You are a bit out of sync. There is some disconnect but it’s not broken just weakened. We’re here to strengthen, reinforce and solidify it so that it doesn’t weaken any further. Once it’s strong again we can start to lay the foundation to rebuild your lives together. Deciding that your marriage is worth fighting for and making the decision to do what it takes, no matter how hard it gets is half the battle. You’ve already won that. Do either of you need a break?”

“No.” They said simultaneously.

“OK just let me know if it gets to be too much. You two will lead the discussion today. I’ll go wherever you want me to, but mostly I’m going to stay on the sideline. However I want you both to be comfortable. If you need a break, or if things get too intense just say so. The game is changing a bit but the same ground rules apply; honest, open, truthful discussions with the knowledge that you are both in a safe place where there will be no reprimands or repercussions for anything that you reveal. Are we in agreement?”

Bette and Tina both agreed as this was the way they were conducting themselves in all their interactions and it seemed to be working well.

“Today as I mentioned you will lead the discussion but I want the focus to be on forgiveness and moving past the hurt. We are going to rehash the past and open old wounds but if the purpose is not to forgive and move on then there’s no point. All we would accomplish is to have the hurt feelings resurface without any resolution. That is not our goal here. Before you can begin to forgive each other and heal the hurt you must forgive yourself. This will free you and open your heart to forgiveness. I want you to do this before we start the couple’s session.

We’ll take an hour for starters. If either of you needs more time we’ll take more time. The instructions I’m going to hand you are just a suggestion. Do whatever works for you but the one thing I do want you to follow is to write everything down. Don’t say them in your head. Put it on paper and read it aloud. You are the only one that will hear it but you need to voice it.”

Paul gave them each a notepad, a pen, a lighter, and a fire safe container. They looked at him quizzically until he gave them the instructions that accompanied the items. Paul handed them a lunch sack and water then sent them in opposite directions. Each woman found the perfect tree to sit under and lean up against to unburden her heart.

Bette’s list:

Betraying my love by cheating on Tina

Using physical force on Tina on the night she found out about the affair (angry sex)

Allowing my father to disrespect Tina, our relationship and our family

Contemplating suicide

Holding hatred in my heart for Helena Peabody

Tina’s list:

Self-inseminating and hiding my pregnancy from Bette

Slapping, hitting and biting Bette on the night I found out about the affair (angry sex)

Publicly humiliating Bette on several occasions but most notably flipping the table at the Planet

Using Bette’s love for Angelica as power against her

Withholding sex and affection from Bette in retaliation

Authors Note: Bette and Tina’s list at the end of this chapter is incomplete. When I first posted the story I invited the readers to add to the list and I incorporated their suggestions in later chapters. Since this is a REPOST and the story is already written, I won’t be incorporating anything new into the story but I’d be curious to see what you all would put on the list now. If you care to share, you can leave your thoughts in the comments section or send a PM. Thanks as always for taking interest in this story.