“Why would anyone burn down a building like that with no consideration for human life?” Tina cried.

“Some people are bad,” Bette said, “according to Shane, who you met, and another fireman Tim, the arsonist left a trademark. It belongs to Philly Arsonist. We’re not sure if the Philly Arsonist moved here from Pennsylvania, or if it’s another arsonist posing.”

“So you’re dealing with serial arsonist,” Tina said wide-eyed.

“Yes, and I’m out of commission for the next two weeks,” Bette said in frustration, “exercise helps to calm me down.”

“Talking helps me,” Tina said.

“Alright let’s try your way,” Bette smiled that Porter smile that melted Tina’s heart.

‘Oh God, I’m burning alive here,’ Tina said inwardly, ‘she’s killing me!’

“Let’s sit?” Tina said pointing at the couch.

“Yeah,” Bette said lifting herself to her good foot, and limping to the couch. Tina sat down next to her as Bette asked, “tell me about yourself, do you work? Are you married?”

“No I’m not married,” Tina said, “never was. Danny’s father was a deadbeat. We had a crazy on and off relationship, and he insisted that Danny wasn’t his son, that I cheated on him. Even after I proved it to him with a DNA test he was still never there. Eventually I left his parents’ house, where we lived in the basement, and went on my own. I slaved my way through college and now I’m a movie executive working at Alphaville. Then Henry decided he wanted to be in Danny’s life and by then I had realized that I was a lesbian so I told him to go to hell and took him to court. I won full custody and he has to pay child support every month.”

“Nice,” Bette said giving Tina a high five, even though she had blocked almost everything out after she said ‘I had realized that I was a lesbian.’

“Yeah my boss Helena is like the biggest dyke on the planet, she and her wife Dylan are crazy as hell, and they took me with them to a gay club,” Tina said, “next thing I know I’m at this crazy ass girl named Brenda’s house and she turns me gayer than them.”

Bette laughed and said, “that’s not how it happened for me.”