Tina needed to get out for a while. No, what she needed to get away from Bette! She took a shower to wash off the chlorine from her swim, changed into comfortable clothes, grabbed her pocketbook and headed out. As she passed through the living room, Bette looked over briefly, but didnt ask where she was going. Just before she closed the door Tina said, Dont wait up, I might be very late.

Tina had expected Bette to try and stop her from leaving. When she hadnt, Tina wasnt sure if she was happy or upset by that. She didnt take the time to think about it any further. She jumped in her car and headed for Alices house. It seemed she always ended up at Alices when she had marriage problems.

Alice wasnt home when Tee arrived. Tee got out her cell phone and called Als cell, Danas house and cell, and Shanes cell. Great! She was batting a big fat zero! She decided to go to the Planet. Maybe they were there.

~~

Bette didnt know what to think. She had done everything to try to set things right, both with Tina and Candace. Tina was the one who had wanted to go see Candace, not Bette. But she had realized that she couldnt put all the wrongs to right until she had made her peace with Candace. So she had apologized. She had taken responsibility for the whole situation and tried to put everything behind her so she could totally concentrate on her relationship. And still her whole world came crashing down again. Tina had thought she was holding hands with Candace. Tee had been angry that Bette had finally settled things with Candace. She probably even thought she was still interested in her!

Bette understood that Tina was angry with Candace. She was angry herself with the lie Candace had told, but it was Bettes own actions that started this roller coaster effect. Once again, she had managed to hurt Tina. Maybe Tina was better off without her, but Bette didnt think she could stand to lose her again. She needed a drink! Maybe a couple of tequilas would make the pain in her chest ease a little.

~~

Tina walked into The Planet and looked around, but none of the gang was here. She did spot Kit sitting at a table and walked over to her.

Well if it isnt my favorite sister-in-law! What are you up to Little Girl? Dont tell me my Baby Sister let you out of her sight now that she finally has you back!

Im just out for some air. Bette is at home. You havent seen Alice around, have you?

No, I havent seen her all day. Whats wrong? Kit was just too perceptive.

Nothing is wrong. Just looking for Alice. Wheres Ivan?

Not here. Now dont go trying to change the subject on me. What has Bette done to upset you? If she is ***** around again, I swear I will kill her.

Kit, I cant talk about this right now; and definitely not with you.

Kit quickly stood up, took Tinas arm, and dragged her to the back room.

What are you doing?

Taking you back to Marinas office. Not only are you definitely going to talk to me, but you are definitely going to do it right now!

*****, Tina thought. Just when one Porter gets less controlling, the other one takes over for her!

After Kit pulled Tina into the office, she closed the door and pointed at the couch. Sit! Talk!

Tina sat. I really cant talk about this, Kit.

Kit leaned back against the door and crossed her arms. The look she gave Tina said Im not going to move so you better start talking or just sit there all night.

After a few moments of silent battle, Tina finally sighed and said, Ok! I do need to talk to someone. I just didnt want to drag you into it. You are suppose to be the one who is there for Bette.

Kit went over, sat down next to Tina and pulled her in for a hug. You may be my sisters wife but I love you too and I will always be here for you.

Tina held on for a few moments and then sat back. Thanks Kit. I really do appreciate it, even if you cant tell that from my actions.

Come on Girl, tell your in-law what is happening.

Kit, did Bette tell you how it ended with Candace?

Yep. You saw them together, all ***** broke loose, you left and Bette refused to see her again.

Did she tell you what Candace told her?

Candace didnt tell her anything. She was too busy trying to catch herself when she was tossed out on her ear.

Bette didnt tell you that Candace said she was HIV positive?

WHAT! Oh my God! Kit looked thunderstruck. Oh *****! Is Bette ok? Are you ok? *****! Im going to kill Candace myself!

No Kit, calm down. I had the same reaction. Let me tell you the whole story.

Tina proceeded to tell Kit the whole story up to the point of walking back into the hospital room with Mikela. So then we go back into the room, and Bette is sitting there, holding Candaces hand and smiling at her. It was like someone punched me dead in the stomach.

Come here Girl. Kit pulled Tina to her again. I cant believe she just forgave her like that. Knowing she was exposed to HIV and could have carried it home to you! What is wrong with my sister?

Thats the same thought I had. So when we got to the car, I asked her to tell me what the ***** was going on. Tina then related everything Bette had told her in the car, her reaction, their talk in the pool, and finally ended with her leaving the house and coming to the Planet.

Im just so pissed at Bette. To make peace with Candace is one thing. But for Candace to use HIV as a revenge tactic is inexcusable. I am so angry with Candace that I could strangle her. And for Bette to just forgive her like this is a slap in the face of every person who has to live with HIV on a daily basis. And it puts another wedge between us. I dont think I can handle Bette being Candaces friend.

~~

The first couple of shots had gone down pretty fast. They burned, but the lime she was sucking helped. The next couple of shots relaxed her enough that her thoughts started running wild. The more she thought about it, the more she realized why Tina was so angry with Candace. It wasnt just because she had done something to get back at Bette. It was the way she had done it. An incurable disease striking anyone in its path was a horrible thing to throw out there. To have so little respect for the people that actually faced this disease and use it for personal satisfaction was just cruel. Bette had been thinking about it only in correlation to Tina and herself. She hadnt been looking at the whole picture. She had just felt so damn guilty over everything she had put Tina through and so very, very grateful that they didnt have to face the HIV fear any longer. She had just wanted everything behind them. To have their marriage back, to feel like half of the whole again.

*****, *****, *****, *****, *****! She had ruined everything again. Every time she thought she was taking a step in the right direction, she was actually walking backwards! What had Tee thought when she came in and found them holding hands like they were good friends? Tina was probably going to leave her again. And here Bette had thought she had taken her head out of her *****. If it was any deeper up her ***** she could give herself a colonoscopy!

A few more shots and her mind finally shut down. However, now her eyes and stomach werent working so well. She stumbled into the bedroom and passed out on the bed.

~~

Tee girl, I have something to say and I want you to think long and hard about this, ok? Bette told me everything about what happened with that carpenter girl, except for the rotten trick she pulled at the end. I watched Bette go through ***** over what she put you through, and I gave her a lot of ***** too. She went to therapy and I know she never liked talking about her problems. She listened to me rant about the twelve steps of AA. Admitting she was powerless when her life became unmanageable, making a searching and fearless moral inventory of herself, admitting the nature of her wrongs, and making amends to all the people she had hurt. Those are some of the steps that I told her she had to take. She did Tee. Candace was one of the people she hurt. She took the responsibility to make amends with her. I very much doubt that she wants to be friends with her. She just doesnt want to continue to hate her.

I think she was just feeling guilty about not facing her part in what happened with Candace. When she finally took the responsibility and talked with Candace, she probably didnt even consider the wrong that Candace did to both of you. She was probably so relieved that there was no HIV to worry about, that she didnt think about its use as a weapon of revenge.

But Tina, what I think most of all is that you have to talk with Bette. From what you say, she tried to talk with you. Girl, that is not my sister. My Baby Sister holds things inside. She controls everything or she walks. I can hardly believe she is the person you are describing to me. She came to you and wanted to talk and work things out. She has changed honey. I think she has finally grown up and is giving everything she has to make her marriage work. And I hate to say it, but now you are the one who is running away.

I have told Bette this and now I am telling you, everyone needs love in their life. It is the only thing that makes life worth living. You have so much love in your life, why are you throwing it away? She loves you more than ever. If you want her, you only have to reach out and everything you want will be given to you. Just give of yourself.

Tina sat there with tears rolling down her face. Why in the world did she think she had to talk with Alice? Kit was like a therapy session. Kit had more insight into Bette than Tee ever had. Tina was so happy that Kit had been there for Bette, because it was obvious that she had been a major factor in how much Bette had changed.

Tina gave Kit another big hug and a kiss. I really like having you for a in-law. Thanks for making me talk! I have to go now!