Eric: "It’s ok. And yes I’ve thought about it and this is something I wanna do. I know my child will benefit from you two. I know he/she will. I know." He opens the door. "I’ll see you soon."

Bette: "Ok…" She watches him leave and the unwanted headache makes its way to the surface. "JAMES!" He comes flying down the hall.

James: "Yes?"

Bette: "Can you please get me some mortin and a bottled water please?"

James: "Yes ma’am. Right away."

Bette: "I’ll be in my office…" She heads inside and closes the door.

James: "Yes ma’am."

That afternoon…

James: "Boss!" He approaches the brunette just as she was leaving.

Bette: "What?" She stops at the glass door. James hands her the phone.

James: "You have a phone call." Bette takes the phone.

Bette: "Who is it?"

James: "She didn’t say ma’am." He slips his hands into his pockets. Bette raises the phone to her ear.

Bette: "Hello…"

Maria: "Hi Bette. This is Tina’s friend Maria."

Bette: "Hi Maria. How can I help you?"

Maria: "I’m with Tina at the hospital." Bette cuts her off.

Bette: "HOSPITAL???WHAT HAPPENED?"

Maria: "I think you better get down here."

Bette: "I’m on my way. Is she ok?"

Maria: "Yes, but, I don’t think the baby’s going to make it." Sweat began to form around her edges. All she could see was Tina’s face. The saddness in her eyes and the tremble in her voice.

Bette: "What happened?" Maria began to cry

Maria: "It’s my fault. I asked her to leave the diner with me. I thought we could go somewhere else and talk, but…" Her cries echo through the phone. Tears weld in Bette’s eyes.

Bette: "Shh. Calm down and tell me what happened?"

Maria: "We were robbed." Bette’s heart leaped into her throat. "I gave them what they wanted, but, Tina didn’t, and the guy stabbed her three times in the stomach and once in her lower abdomen below her belly button, after she elbowed him in the face and stomped on his foot."

Bette: "Oh my god!" She began to panic. "Stay put. I’m on my way."

Maria: "Ok. I’ll be in the lobby. Please hurry!"

Bette: "Ok. I’m on my way." She wipes her face and hands James the phone.

James: "What happened?"

Bette: "Tina’s been robbed and stabbed."

James: "Whose Tina?" Bette digs into her purse and pulls out a kleenex.

Bette: "I’ll tell you later. Look, cancel all my appointments and reschedule them for me. I’ll call you with the news."

James: "Ok. Goodluck."

Bette: "I hope so…" She slips on her shades and exits the gallery. "God help me."

To be continued…