Bette had been sitting at her desk for over an hour just staring at the wall. She couldnt believe what Candace had told her. What kind of a woman would sleep with somebody knowing they could be carrying the HIV Virus?

My God, she had never even considered that possibility. After seven years with one person, it just never occurred to her. She didnt have to think about it with Tina. She hadnt been thinking about it with Candace. But she should have. In this day and age it was just stupid to have unprotected ***** with anyone. It had been stupid to have ***** with anyone but Tina anyway!

All her lectures to Alice about monogamy. And here she had gone and screwed around on Tina. What a hypocrite. Hadnt Tina suffered enough? Now she was going to have this to worry about. And Cindy! Tina had had ***** with Cindy. This just kept getting worse. How was she going to tell Tina?

Bette picked up her phone and dialed the number. Her voice answered.

How could you do it Candace? How could you sleep with me knowing you might have HIV?

Bette? I didnt. I didnt know. I just found out Bette.

How can that be? People dont just arbitrarily get tested for HIV! To take the test, you must have had an inkling of the possibility that you had it. If you gave it to me, I may have given it to Tina. How am I going to live with that? How is she going to live with that? Ive put her through enough already. How could you be so irresponsible?

Bette, listen to me. I read in the newspaper that this kid got hit by a car and was in desperate need of type B negative blood. There was a request for people matching that blood type to go in and give blood. Thats my blood type. I went down to donate blood for her. They called me to come in today. I thought they needed more blood, but apparently the procedure is to test all the donated blood for diseases. My blood came back positive for HIV. I didnt know Bette. I would never have endangered anyone if I had any inclination that I had this. Bette, Im sorry. I have to go. I have to figure out what Im going to do.

This is the first time I have ever done anything like this Candace. I never cheated on Tina. Not even once in our seven years together. I never wanted to. Then you come along when I was feeling ..Im sorry. You certainly have enough of your own problems. I dont mean to dump on you. It was my fault anyway. I should have had more willpower. After all, Im the one who asked you to take me somewhere. Ive got to go. Hang in there.

Bette? Just so you know, the possibility of you having contracted this from me is very low. But the possibility does exist.

Thank you for informing me. I know it wasnt easy for you. I am sorry you have this virus, but I still dont want to see you again. Good-bye. Bette clicked off. She went back to staring at the wall.

~~~

Tina was optimistic about the meeting she just had with Dan Foxworthy. It felt good to talk and get it all off her chest. She had started at the beginning, when she first felt the stress between her and Bette, and had gotten to when she had seen Bette with Candace at the museum. They had run out of time before she had finished relaying everything about that night. That was frustrating, but she had another appointment on Wednesday. By talking it all out like that, she had realized some things she hadnt before. Tina realized that she had put a lot of the stress into this relationship. She had not liked the fact she not working and had to depend on Bette for everything. She was anxious to get through the rest of the details, get Dans feedback, and talk with Bette.

She remembered the pain she had seen in Bettes eyes. She knew all about that pain. It had been tearing at her for weeks. It was time to work through that pain and try to get them back. She missed Bette. Missed being with her and talking to her. Missed being held and comforted by the familiar arms. All her friends had hugged her, but it just wasnt the same.

Tinas cell started to ring. She pulled it out and looked at it, but didnt recognize the number. Hello? she answered.

Hi Tina, are you coming by the gym. I will be getting off in about an hour and I thought maybe we could do something.

Oh no! Cindy! Well she could be a coward, or she could go face her. With a big breath for courage, Tina said, Meet me at the Planet in a hour and a half. We can talk.

Great! Sure you dont want to come here and take a shower with me? Cindy laughed.

Yes Cindy, Im sure. See you at the Planet.

Tina liked Cindy, but even if she did want to continue dating her, Cindy wanted to move way too fast for Tinas liking.

Well, she had better get moving! She wanted to stop by the office before she went to the Planet.

~~

Bette finally came out of her stupor. I am going to have to tell Tina! But first I need to get some information. I need to know exactly what we are dealing with. I need to get on the Internet. Damn! Tina always took care of that. Or James. Bette hated to research items. But this was too important, too personal to ask James to do it. She turned on her computer.