Bette clumsily released Candace and stumbled towards the side table that housed the answering machine. She reached the machine just as the unexpected caller spoke a few more words into the machine. Her hand shot out towards the button that read stop. Bette turned around slowly hoping that Candace would still be in the position where she left her. She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them fully to focus on the spot previously occupied by her and Candace. As was to be expected, Candace was no longer within eye sight.

Bette walked calmly towards the guest bedroom which was several feet from the door that led to the garage. Once she reached the door she made to turn the ***** when she found the handle hard to twist. She moved the ***** from left to right before she realized that Candace must have locked the door when she entered the room. Sighing, Bette headed in the direction of the master bedroom.

Bette knew she had a lot of explaining to do in regards to Tina. The air of love that had previously filled their idyllic home was now filled with anxiety and questions. It didn’t help that Bette had remained mum on her relationship with Tina during her courtship with Candace. Ignoring the topic seemed to be a perfect way to start anew.

Bette decided to leave Candace to her own devices until the morning, then they could clear the air.

Scared of the possible results of bring up her past relationship, Bette found herself tossing and turning throughout the night. Sleep had finally laid claim on her at 7am when she heard the opening of the bedroom door. She opened her eyes and was greeted by the sight of Candace walking towards her bedroom drawer. Bette noted that Candace must have showered in the bathroom connected to the guest bedroom because her hair was damped and she was enclosed in a towel.

As Candace laid claim to a pair of red fishnet tangas, Bette found her eyes moving up towards the mirror that hung above her chest of drawers. Their eyes met in the center of the mirror before Candace looked down and began to slip on her underwear. “Candace, we need to talk”, Bette managed to state.

“I agree Bette. Now, however is not the time”, Candace stated.

“Could you clue me in one when will be a good time”, Bette said. “I thought our relationship was important enough to discuss at any time”.

“Bette, if our relationship is important to you, then you would give me the time that I requested. All I’m asking for is a little time. I am not ready to discu…”, Candace found her voice trailing off. She managed a weak smile before finally stating, “Just give me time”.

“Ok”, was all Bette could manage to say. Bette turned over in the bed giving her back to the mirror. Bette listened with her eyes closed to the sound of hands connecting to limbs as Candace appeared to be applying lotion, and the sound clothing making contact with skin as Candace dressed. It seemed like an eternity, but eventually Bette heard the sound of footsteps shuffling through the carpet as Candace left the bedroom. Alone with her thoughts throughout the day, Bette made a few calls to the framily before finally making a final important call.


It was a three day weekend, and Bette needed to escape the stuffy air that began to fill the house.Bette sensed that Candace would not be home any time soon, so she decided to go out for a bit. Bette felt as if she would suffocate if she did not leave their home. After showering, she threw on her low-rise pinstriped black pants and a black tank before heading out the door for Milk. It was a little after 8p.m. and she had plans to meet the ladies and have at least one Apple Martini before Happy Hour was over.

Pulling into the Milk parking lot, she parked her blue Saab and reapplied her lip gloss and Fetish by Mac lip stick before heading for the entrance. She walked into the slightly darkened, smoke filled night club and headed directly for the bar. She didn’t expect Shane, Dana, or Alice for another 30 minutes but Bette had made plans to meet Tina before the 3 amigos arrived.

She had ordered her drink when someone whispered in her ear. “Hey beautiful.” Recognizing the voice, Bette turned around quickly and embraced Tina affectionately.

“Hey, welcome back to the states”, Bette stated. Bette made a move to kiss Tina on her cheek when she was abruptly jostled by someone in the crowd. This caused her lips to land close to the corner of Tina?s mouth. To an observer distanced many feet away in the crowd it appeared as if Bette had kissed Tina square on the mouth.

“Hey, no lip action on the first date”, Tina stated with amusement.

Bette laughed before growing serious and inquiring about Tina’s arrival in the states. “I had no idea you were back in town, Tina. Well not until I got your invite and your call.”

“Yeah, well not many people did until recently. I got your address from, you will never believe this, Nadia. She told me you just recently moved into a new home, and that you were single now, so I thought I’d look you up and invite you to this party I’m having next week.

“Nadia Marchand gave you my address and told you I was singl…”, Bette began before being interrupted by Tina.

“*****. Bette, isn’t that your former mistress over there. Who knew she could grind like that.” Bette followed Tina’s gaze before her eyes landed flat on Candace. Bette’s face began to reddened with anger as she noted that Candace was not alone. Usher’s “Do It To Me?” was blaring in the club, and from where Bette stood it looked as if Candace was doing exactly what the record stated with some bimbo. Bette saw hands connected with body parts and found herself growing more enraged.

Bette began to see red and excused herself from Tina before marching on to the dance floor. She tapped the young lady dancing with Candace on the shoulders before asking between gritted teeth, “May I have this dance.” The short haired brunette raised her hands to connect with Bette’s, However, Bette turned her back on the girl to reach for Candace instead. Bette and Candace shared an anger fueled stare before Candace pulled away and made for the door with Bette trailing on her heels.