Kit: I assume that you ladies are here to eat.

Tina: You know what they say about assuming Kit

Kit: Let me rephrase then. 
You two are having dinner on me. What can I get you?

Tina (smiles) Ill have a Caesar salad with chicken. And an
unsweetened iced tea.

Bette: (frowns) How you can drink iced tea without sugar is
beyond meIll have the Caesar salad as wellhold the chicken though.

Kit (sternly) Youll take the chicken.

Bette: II dont want the chicken.

Kit: Baby girl, I can practically see through you. You need
some protein. Youre taking the chicken.

Bette: Kit

Kit: Bette, dont be difficult. If I have to, Ill make Lara
chop the chicken into tiny pieces and mix it into the dressing so youll never
be able to tell the difference. Dont make us go to all that trouble because
you want to be an obstinate fool.

Bette: (exasperated) Fine. And Ill take a sweetened iced
tea. Very sweetened.

Kit: Youre impossible sometimes.

Tina: Just sometimes?

Kit (points at Tina) Dont encourage her.

Kit collects their menus and leaves, heading toward the
kitchen.

Tina: (quietly) I miss Kit.

Bette: (seriously) Shes here, Tina. II dont mind if you
want to talk with her or see her. I mean she thinks of you as a sister.

Tina: Thanks (pauses) What she said about the proteinyoure
okay, arent you?

Bette was torn. She knew that she had her appointment with
Dr. Harris coming up, but she wasnt about to worry Tina prematurely.

Bette: Yeah, shes just being a mother hen.

Tina: Youreum eating right?

Bette: I make the best TV dinners in town.

Tina: Bette, Im serious. 
You get way too stressed out over work. You need to eat to keep up with
everything.

Bette: I find this somewhat amusing.

Tina: What?

Bette: This. (gestures between them and smiles) I mean the
last time we were here together you flipped a table at me.

Tina: I was very angry them.

Bette: (softly) And now?

Tina: And nowIm still angry.  But Ive had time to think about the past
year and the choices that weve made. The choices BOTH of us have made. I was
too hurt and upset to talk to you then. II want to try now. I need to know
some things.

Bette: Anything. You can ask me anything.

Tina: Dont be too quick to say that. You dont know what I
want to ask you.

Bette: I didnt think this would be easy. Not by a long
shot. The fact that youre here today, sitting across from me, is more than I
deserve. II dont want there to be any more secrets between us. No matter how
hard they are to sayor to hear.

Tina: Im glad you feel that way. (pauses) Actually, there
is something I need to talk with you about. What I had started to say on the
phone. (sighs) This isnteasyfor me. I wanted to tell you at the very
beginning, but I was afraid.

Bette: Afraid? Tina what was so bad that you were scared to
tell me?

Tina: Bette, I

Tina and Bette are once again interrupted, this time by Lara
who was carrying out their order.

Lara: I have two Caesar salads. (she places the bowls in
front of them, then a second smaller bowl in front of Bette.

Lara: Kit said to put your chicken in a separate dish.
Sheuhtold me to tell you that it better be empty by the time you leave.

Bette rolls her eyes and Tina laughs. Lara brings them their
drinks and then leaves.

Bette: I missed that.

Tina: Missed what?

Bette: You. Laughing.

Tina: Bette

Bette: Im sorry. I shouldnt have said that. Uhlets eat
and then we can continue where we left off before we were interrupted.

They eat their meals in silence. Over the course of a few
minutes an uncomfortable tension once again settles between them. Unable to
stand the silence any longer, Bette looks up and addresses Tina.

Bette: Tina?

Tina: Hmm

Bette: I have a very important favor to ask you.

Tina: A favor?

Bette: Yes. I uhI need you to do something for me.

Tina: (concerned) What do you need me to do, Bette?

Bette: (whispers) I need you to eat some of this chicken.
(she pushes her bowl closer to Tina.

Tina smiles in response.

TBC