No?! Bette squawked in total surprise.

No. Tina reiterated.

Why not? What else do you need to know?

Not too much. You have answered all the questions I asked. But I do have a couple of more for you. Tina said.

Ok, you are calling the shots here Tina, so go ahead and fire.

First of all, are you sure there are no lingering doubts? Are you sure you dont want Candace any more? Is your attraction for her gone? Totally?

Bette couldnt believe Tina could still question this. Yes, I am sure. The only reason I returned to her is because I thought I had lost you. I needed an escape, both from myself and the pain of losing you. Unfortunately, I used Candace for that escape, and it only made me feel worse. Any attraction I felt for her was gone. Instead, it was replaced by an extreme sense of guilt. Guilt for even looking, let alone acting. Guilt for the weakness I had, and allowing it to overtake me. And most of all, guilt for the pain I caused you. Finally the guilt was too much and I ended it. No matter what I was feeling, or not feeling, I had no right to do that to you. You just dont do that to someone you love. I will regret that decision forever.

Well at least you are admitting that it was a decision you made and not just something that happened. Tina stated.

Yes Tina. It was a decision, and a very poor one.

I have listened to everything you said Bette. You say you want our marriage, but yet you gave up on us. How do you expect me to believe what you say, when your actions shout something so different than your words state? Tina asked.

I already told you that I know how much I have hurt you. I know that I have fucked this relationship up beyond repair. I cant expect you to forgive what I cannot forgive myself. Bette was starting to tear up again. No purpose would be served by lying to you Tina.

What about the way you just left me without any kind of explanation? You couldnt even tell me what was going on in your head. You left me to think that this whole thing was my fault. That you no longer felt anything for me, that I no longer was a part of your life, had any hold on any part of your heart. And you couldnt even tell me. I think that is what hurt me the most of all. More than your betrayal, I felt like I no longer counted enough for you to even tell me it was over. To even say goodbye. Tina was starting to show emotion, but quickly cut the feelings off. I felt you owed me at least that much Bette! After seven years to just walk away and not look back was the worst betrayal of all.

Tina, God, I never meant to do that! I couldnt face you knowing how much I had put you through, how much you had to hate me. I didnt want you to suffer any more pain than I had already caused you. I thought the best thing for you was to just disappear from your life and give you the peace of my not being around, constantly reminding you of the ***** I had become. None of this was your fault. We had been having problems for a while, but my betrayal was just that, my betrayal. It was never your fault. Im sorry I made you feel that way.

Even after everything your damn control issues have put us through, Tina said, you still think you know what is best. You still make decisions about what is best for me. Do you really feel qualified, or better yet, justified to make decisions that affect the lives of other people Bette? Furthermore, do you think I need or want you to make the decisions that will affect the rest of my life? Isnt this the type of a decision we should make together?

Bette stated, But Tina, you wouldnt talk to me.

Tina gave her a withering look. That was before this last incident Bette. Since then, you have not even tried to talk to me. I needed time to get myself together to talk to you. You gave me one week Bette. For one week you tried to talk to me and then you gave up, went back to your lover and wrote me off. Where was your so-called love then Bette? It died in one weeks time. What did you think I would do when I found out you went back to her? Didnt you consider that we might have worked through things if you were truly repentant? But no, you returned to her like an addict to a drug, and didnt care if you hurt me yet again.

Tina, Im sorry. It wasnt meant like that. I thought you never wanted to see me again. I had no intention of hurting you again. I would do anything to change what I have done. I would give anything to put that happy, carefree look back on your face. But I know that it is not in my power. Bette sadly said.

Tina looked at Bette for a moment as if to decipher if she really meant what she was saying. Finally she asked, Anything?