They didn’t talk much during dinner just brief mentions of what was happening with their friends.

After dinner Bette poured them each a glass of wine and they moved out by the pool.

‘I’ve always loved it out here.’

‘The plants have missed you.  I never had much of a green thumb.’

‘I can come over and take care of things if it is all right.’

‘Would you rather I not be here when you come over?’

‘Actually, I think it might be a good project for us to do together.  We could talk while we worked, unless you’d rather not.’

‘What?  Work in the yard or talk.’

And, for the first time in a long while they actually laughed together.

‘I think I would enjoy that T.’

Tina flinched slightly and it didn’t go unnoticed by Bette.

‘I’m sorry.’

‘No, Bette it’s all right.’

‘I guess I’m just not sure where the boundaries are, but I think I just stepped on one!’

‘Maybe that’s what we should do first, set some boundaries.’

Bette smiled and said, ‘I think you better start this conversation, should I take notes?’

Tina grinned and said, ‘I think we can keep it simple.’

‘First, we’ll work on getting each other through this as friends.  We have to be honest about our feelings, go about this as if we are just friends helping each other through a break up.’

‘I’ll do this however you want.  So, if we are going to be honest I need to tell you that I’m seeing Dan Foxworthy.’

‘I know.  James told me you were at Foxworthy’s office when I called today.  Don’t be angry with him.’

‘I’m not.  He doesn’t know we aren’t together so he would have no reason not to tell you.’

‘You haven’t told any one?’

‘I’m too ashamed.’

‘I’m seeing Foxworthy too.  I’m surprised he would see both of us.’

‘When I called for an appointment I didn’t tell him we were separated until I got there.  He didn’t want to see me when I told him, but I begged.  I told him I thought therapy was the only way I could come to terms with what I’d done and I wasn’t comfortable seeing anyone else.  He said as long as I wasn’t doing this just to get you back he would see me.’

‘He told me the same thing.’

‘The break up is my fault Tina not yours.’

‘It takes two Bette.’

‘What now?’

‘What time can you get off work tomorrow?’

‘I have a 10:00 meeting and then I can leave anytime.’

‘I’ll meet you here at 1:00 and bring lunch.’