“Her education level speaks for it’s self. She holds a M.A. in Art History, from Yale University, no less.”

“Her addictions have taken many opportunities away from Ms. Porter however, I feel with our help she could begin a clean start for her life with renewed hope and that is what we do here is offer hope to those who have lost their way.”

“But before you make your decision, I feel it is only fair to reveal one last bit of information about Ms. Porter that you will not find contained in her case file.” Taking in a deep breath Tina let it out slowly and continued…”I do not feel it would be in Ms. Porter’s best interest if I were to remain the lead doctor on her case. You see…Ms. Porter and I have a past history. I met her years ago and maintained an intimate relationship with her for 7 years before moving to North Carolina and changing careers. With that being said I am recommending someone else take over her case after today. Thank you Chairman and ladies and gentlemen of the board .I will wait in my office while you make your decision.”

Tina quietly picked up her briefcase and walked out of the conference room down the hall to her office. Once inside she sat down in her chair behind her desk and stared out the window at the scenic mountainous view as she let her mind wonder to long forgotten memories of the life she once had with one Ms. Bette Porter.

Tina looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was near lunch time deciding to make the time pass she would go early she picked up her phone and notified the front desk she was taking lunch early. Riding the elevator down to the cafeteria she prayed that the board would follow her recommendation to accept Bette as a patient. She knew that Bette would have a long way to go to recover but knew that it was possible here at Mountain Lake with the incredible staff. However, she also knew that to be successful Bette had to want the help that was being offered. She thought of her colleagues on staff and who besides herself was the most qualified to aid Bette in her recovery and only one other name came to mind…Dr. Ernie Black.

Ernie was certainly as qualified as Tina however if Bette was anything like the Bette she remembered she would have trust issues with Ernie. First Ernie was a man. Bette had always had trouble trusting men. Tina was not sure if this stemmed from her father or her sexual orientation. Secondly, Ernie was a heterosexual. He was married with two teenage children. As far as Bette knew she was familiar with being in a long term relationship but being a parent was something she had not ever been thus in Bette’s eyes she and Ernie were opposite sides of a coin.

Sitting down to eat her lunch revealing to Bette that she was the other parent to a five no six year old child as of her birthday two weeks ago was a decision Tina was going to have to decide. She knew that in the beginning of Bette’s recovery that it was not something she would do. However, as Bette became stronger mentally and her addictions were no longer controlling her life revealing Angelica

to Bette was imperative Tina was tired of keeping secrets too. She would always regret not telling Bette years ago. Also, how would this affect Angelica?

Throwing the remainder of her lunch in the trash Tina headed back down the hall to the elevator and up to her office hopefully to receive the boards decision in favor of Bette Porter.