Part 2 – The lawyers

A few days later, Bette is in her office failing miserably at trying to concentrate on work when there is a sharp knock on her door. James is out to lunch so her visitor came in unannounced. She’s not in the mood to see anyone but nevertheless she yells come in through the closed door. She’s shocked to see her personal attorney Bert standing in the doorway. He walks in closes the door and takes a seat in front of her desk. In all the years he’s known Bette, he’d only ever seen her so distraught one other time, and it was right after Tina’s miscarriage. Not only was she dealing with a personal tragedy of losing a child, but she was also faced with public disgrace at the hands of Faye Buckley; a woman who’d accused her of being a pornographer because of the art they’d exhibited at the gallery’s recent showing of Provocations.

“I thought that you would be interested to know I got a call from Tina’s lawyer.” Bert said without preamble.

“I didn’t know Tina had a lawyer. Who is it?” Bette asked clearly shocked at this new development.

“I never heard of her. Says her name is Joyce Wischnia, and she claims to specialize in civil and family matters.”

“I know her. She’s a famous gay civil rights lawyer. She was one of the first to support same-sex adoptions. Tina and I were going to use her. She also does estate planning and child custody, domestic partnership arrangements…” Bette stops as realization dawns on her. In a defeated tone she finishes her thought … “ and separation and divorce.”

***

Alice is in her apartment cleaning. There are clothes scattered all over the living room where Tina has been sleeping on the couch for a month now. There’s a knock on her door. She trips on one of Tina’s shoes as she rushes to answer it.

“Fuck, Tina. Your shit’s everywhere. Fuck.” She says as she tosses the other pair into the hallway. When she opens the door Bette pushes past her and walks directly into the living room without waiting for an invitation.  “Where the fuck is Tina?”

Alice is unable to speak which is unusual for the chatterbox. All that comes out is “Bette” as she follows her into the room.