He was so concentrated on hitting the bag that he didn’t hear Tina’s approach. He was startled by her sudden appearance in his yard but he quickly recovered and waved her over.

“Sorry. Was I making too much noise?”

“No. No, I just…” Tina didn’t know what to say so she held up the Slurpee cup. “I had a late-night craving.”

As much as he wasn’t in the mood for company, Tim always made time for Tina. She was very sweet and she was the first one to befriend his ex-girlfriend Jenny. He invited her to sit down as he caught his breath and wiped the sweat from his face and shirtless chest with a towel.

“Late night craving uh … I didn’t know you were expecting. Congratulations. I’m surprised Bette didn’t mention it. She must be ecstatic. I know how much you want children and how devastating the miscarriage was for you both.”

“Thank you Tim but please don’t say anything to Bette. She doesn’t know about the baby.” Tina couldn’t hold in the emotions that bubbled up to the surface.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Tim asked genuinely concerned. Tina nods, grateful to have someone objective to talk to. She tells him everything that happened from the time she saw Bette and Candace together at the Provocations opening and figured out that they were having an affair, to the last few hours when she’d seen the email and picture from Candace on Bette’s computer.

“I’m a fucking idiot. I should run as far away from her as I can but I still love her. Even after all the pain and hurt she’s caused I just can’t let her go.”

“You want to hear something really fucked up?”

“What?”

“I married her.”

Tina had no idea who Tim was talking about but she didn’t say anything. When he continued it became clear.

“Eight hours after I walked in on Jenny with Marina’s head between her legs we’re saying ”I do” in some… white trash chapel in Tahoe.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. See what I mean? We all do crazy things sometimes; especially when we think we’re going to lose someone. I can completely understand why you can’t just let Bette go. She loves you Tina. I didn’t know what was going on with you two but I knew something was wrong since you haven’t been around for weeks. Every night I’ve seen her sitting on the edge of the pool dangling her legs in the water just sitting alone in the dark drinking and smoking and sobbing. I didn’t want to interfere but I’m sure she’s hurting too. Something must have broken inside to make her do what she did.”