Kit sat down slowly, giving Bette a puzzled look as she tried to figure out what happened between her and Tina. Bette walked over and took a seat in the chair across from Kit. She took a deep breath before speaking.

Kit, before I start talking, I want you to hear everything I have to say before you start talking okay?

Okay.

Okay. Well you know how Tina and I have been having some problems for the past year or so? Kit looked confused. Well we did. And lately, things have seemed to get more and more out of hand. After Tina lost the baby, and with the Provocations mess, I dont know, Tina and I started drifting apart. Or at least I felt like we were. Emotionally, physically, all of it. We were just werent connecting somehow. I just wanted things to go back the way they were and everything I tried to do to make this happen seemed to come up short.

Bette took another deep breath before continuing. This was going to be the most difficult part for her to tell Kit about, and Bette already felt emotionally drained from the days previous events.

Well, remember that night when I went to your show? I met a woman named Candace. From the moment I met her I knew I was in trouble. She was a carpenter and she ended up working for me at the CAC, doing the carpentry work for Provocations, and from that point I dont really know what happened.

Kit was staring at Bette with both sympathy and anger in her eyes. She could tell where this conversation was heading and she couldnt believe of all people that Bette would be the one she was having it with.

One thing led to another and before I knew what was going on she kissed me. It was the weekend that Tina went to Palm Springs. I told her that I was involved and that we shouldnt be doing that, but deep down we both knew it was a lie. Anyway, Tina found out about Candace and thats why she left.

Bette sat there, waiting for Kit to process the information. Kit looked stunned as she tried to figure out why on earth her sister would ever cheat on Tina. She also knew Bette wasnt telling her the whole story so she chose her words carefully before continuing.

So let me see if I understand. Tina left you because she found out you kissed Candace? That seems a little unlike her Bette. Shes not that irrational.

Bette looked down in shame. Kit had figured her out. She knew there was more than what Bette had told her, and having to tell Kit exactly what happened was almost as bad as having to tell Tina. Her voice was quiet and shaky as she decided if she was going to ask for help, well Kit might as well know everything that happened.

No, thats not why she left. She left because she found out I cheated on her with Candace.

Bette

Kits voice trailed off and Bette looked up with tears in her eyes. Kit knew that right now Bette needed her big sisters support and guidance, but inside, Kit was furious at Bette for what she did. She walked over to where Bette was sitting and pulled her into her arms. Feeling Kits arms around her made Bette cry and as she sat there crying she could tell that Kit was not finished with the questioning.

Why Bette. Baby girl, what was so bad that you couldnt talk to Tina about it? Or anyone? We all love you and if you guys were having problems we would have been there for you.

Bettes crying subsided as she answered Kit. She knew what she had to say was terrible, but she needed to let it out.

Thats just it Kit. Our problems werent that big. It wasnt anything anyone could fix. I just felt like Tina and I were becoming so stagnant, and our ***** life was dwindling. But when I met Candace it was all so new and exciting. She made me feel alive again, and for the first time in a long time I felt desired.

Kit stood up again and this time when she looked at Bette there was anger in her eyes.

I dont believe you Bette. How can you be so blind? Tina LOVES you. She has always loved you and she will always love you.

Not anymore. She left two days ago and she came back today to pick up some of her stuff.

Did you talk to her?

I tried Kit, but we ended up getting into a fight. I have never seen her like that. It was like I didnt even know who she was.

Im sure the feeling was mutual. Look Bette, regardless of what happened you have to show her how much you love her if you want her back.

Bette looked at her sister and wondered how she could be so level headed at times. Bette was used to being the one who was counseling Kit on her bad decisions and it felt strange for her to be on the receiving end of the conversation.

I tried Kit. I told her how much I loved her and that I didnt want to lose her.

Actions speak louder than words Bette.

Bette looked at Kit angrily and she was met with a similar look from Kit. Bette knew that Kit was probably thinking of her mother and all that had happened with Melvin, and Bette was sure that this was something Kit would always hold against her.

Thanks Kit. I really needed that right now.

Well someone needs to tell you the truth. What did you think Bette? That you would be able to cheat on Tina and everything would be okay? Maybe in some fantasy land, but not here Bette. Not in real life. Actions have consequences and you should have thought about them before you went out and did whatever it was with that Candace woman.

Actions have consequences, that was the same thing Tina said, thought Bette. She looked down again feeling the tears forming in her eyes again as she continued.

You know what the worst part was Kit? Even though I knew I shouldnt have done it, it felt good. The entire time I knew I shouldnt have been there, but I couldnt stop it. I let myself go back to her time and time again and each time I swore it would be the last.

Go back to her? Damn Bette how many times did you sleep with her?

Bette gave Kit a, dont go there look as she sat back in the chair, sighing. Bette couldnt believe how messed up her life was right now and with everything that happened Bette knew if she had it all to do over again she would do it in exactly the same way. She looked out the window as she tried to gather her thoughts and figure out what her next move should be.

Bette, look at me.

Bette looked at Kit and she saw the sadness had returned to her eyes. Kit spoke gently to Bette hoping that she could help her see some rationality in all this confusion.

Bette, why do you always do this to yourself? You work so hard to have everything just the way you want it, and for a while it seems like everything is perfect, but when things get rough you look for a quick solution. Bette, believe it or not, what you and Tina had was perfect. She was the only person you loved more than yourself and she was the first person who you said made you feel complete. I just cant believe that things were so bad between you that you would go behind her back with someone else. Because baby girl lets face it, relationships are tough. Everyone knows this. But somehow you two made it work, and you made it look easy. How could you jeopardize that? How could you throw away all that you had with Tina for what? A few moments of pleasure? You are a strong and beautiful woman Bette, a woman who has a good head on her shoulders and knows better than this. There is nothing on this planet you cannot handle so I dont know why you couldnt handle your problems with Tina.

Tears were flowing down Bettes cheeks as she listened to her sister. Kit was the only person who could give it to Bette straight and although it was the biggest problem between them, it was also one of the biggest reasons she loved Kit.

I dont know Kit. I dont know why I couldnt handle it. I was feeling so confused and so lost, and I just let myself give in to Candace. Maybe I am that weak on the inside, but I never thought it would get this out of hand. Even after Tina left me and I felt like I had nothing left, I still couldnt stop myself from seeing Candace.

Kit gave Bette a disappointed look. Bette didnt know if she should have told Kit that she saw Candace one more time after Tina left, but right now she just couldnt seem to control what she was saying.

You saw her again?

This morning. She stopped by the CAC.

Bette felt like she was reliving the conversation she had with Tina earlier that night. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat as Kit started talking again.

Bette I dont know what to tell you. I dont know exactly what was going on between you and Candace but it needs to stop NOW. If you want to get Tina back you are going to have to show her that you are a strong person who can handle the consequences of her actions and still move on. You cant keep running back and forth between them because in the end you are going to end up alone. And I know you dont want that. Bette, you need to figure out what is going on and what you want out of all of this. And once you make your decision it has to be final.

Bette sighed again knowing Kit was right. It was what she had been telling herself for the past few days, but honestly she didnt know if she could make any sort of final decision. She had already tried that with Candace today, but that only resulted in her going after Candace and letting her ***** her in her office. Bette tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling as she answered Kit.

I want Tina. I will always want her.

Then go get her. She is probably mad as ***** at you right now and she has every right to be, but Bette, you know for a fact that deep down she still loves you. She is hurting and this time its not your job to take away the pain. Its your job to let her go through it and make her see that no matter what you will be there for her. You need to prove to her once and for all that she is the only woman in your life.

Bette looked at Kit with astonishment in her eyes. She couldnt believe that Kit was being so supportive of her right now. If it were the other way around I dont know if I could do the same for her, thought Bette. She stood up and walked over to where Kit was sitting. Bette sat down next to Kit on the sofa and put her arms around her sister. Kit hugged her back and Bette didnt need to say anything because Kit knew how she felt about her. As Kit sat there comforting her sister Kit prayed to God that Tina would somehow be able to forgive Bette and that Bette would finally see just how perfect her life really was.