Tina: (Blinked away a few
tears) It’s fine – I mean, it’s still difficult some times, but I’ll survive.

Tina had a half-hearted
smile on her face but it was evident to Amanda that the situation pained Tina
deeply.

Amanda reached out her hand
and patted the back of Tina’s hand that was resting on her own knee.

Amanda: I’m so sorry. I’ve
been there and as much as everyone wishes you well, it doesn’t make it any
easier.

Tina nodded in agreement
and blinked back a few more tears. She took a deep breath and tried to focus
her mind on the situation at hand.

Tina: Thank you. I really
appreciate the sentiment.

Amanda: So Tina how can I
help?

Tina: Well Amanda I know
that Bette has recently contacted you and I was wondering if you could either
help me find her or explain to me what’s going on.

Amanda let the words hang
in the air for a moment before answering. She didn’t want to not help, but she
also didn’t want to betray Bette.

Amanda: I can’t really
tell you about any of my business dealings with Bette. It also wouldn’t be
appropriate for me to convey to you what Bette has told me in strictest
confidence.

Tina, remembering that
Bette had once made the comment that she thought Amanda was an attractive
person and given the history that she and Bette had in addition to Tina and
Bette’s current state, jumped to conclusions and didn’t think out what she was
about to say.

Tina: (An accusatory tone)
Are you seeing Bette?

Amanda was totally caught
off guard by Tina’s question. That was a rarity for Amanda. She had dealt with
many an obnoxious client or business acquaintance and had yet to feel out of
sorts until one Tina Kennard.

Amanda: (Slightly
flabbergasted) Uh No. What gave you that impression?

Tina: Well, given your and
Bette’s history, the fact that you don’t want to “betray” her, and the state of
mine and Bette’s relationship, why wouldn’t that be a logical assumption?

Amanda: (Smiling) Tina – I
am not nor will I ever be involved with Bette in a romantic nature. She and I
are merely friends. Actually today was the first contact that I had had with
her in quite a while. In all honesty, she’s not even my type. Why would I want
a relationship with someone that is just like myself? That would not be wise.
We would make each other miserable. So you really don’t have anything to worry
about.