Chapter 1:

Bette awoke to what would have normally been a beautiful morning. The sun was shining bright, birds were chirping, and the world seemed to have sheen to it. But Bettes world was a much different one than the world outside her windows. Bette awoke alone, with a terrible headache, and the dramatic realization that her life would never be the same. The events of last night came flooding back to her in an instant, the look on Tinas face when Bette told her about Candace. Tina slapping her and their dismal attempt at ***** afterwards. Bette rolled onto her back and allowed the tears to come. What the ***** was I thinking, she asked herself. Whats going to happen to us now? Bette had no answers to these questions yet, and she knew that there would be more questions like this in the future.

She lay there willing herself to go back to sleep to escape her reality, when her cell phone rang. She jumped and grabbed it off the nightstand.
Hello? she mumbled.
Bette?
Hey Alice.
What the ***** is going on with you? I came home last night to find Tina on my couch crying her eyes out saying that she caught you cheating on her with that carpenter.
Alice, I dont know, ok? I got caught up in a lot of different things, mostly myself. Tina and I her voice trailed off.
Tina and you what?? Had problems, werent communicating, and lost the baby? What Bette? What happened that was so terrible you had to turn to someone else for comfort?
Bette stared at her phone in disbelief. Alice, just stay out of it please. Bette hung up the phone on her friend.

Alice looked at her cell phone as she was driving, not believing that Bette had hung up on her. Son of a ***** she said aloud. Alice checked the rearview mirror and made a u-turn, heading directly for Bettes house.

Bette rolled over and laid the pillow on top of her head as she cried. What the ***** have I done? was all she could think.


Tina had finally drifted off to sleep around 4 am, after crying until her eyes were dry. She was awake now, on Alices couch. Tina looked around Alices apartment and her eyes came to rest on the chart on the wall. The chart. Last night she had partially written Candaces name with a line to Bettes name. This morning, as she stared at the line, she felt her heart breaking even more. Tina buried her head in her pillow and wept.


Bette! Open the damn door! Alice was outside of Bettes house, trying desperately to get her friend to let her in. Through the lower panel of glass in the door Alice could see Bettes feet shuffle across the floor coming towards her. Bette opened the door and stared at Alice. Alice pushed past Bette into the house.
Look, Im not here to pretend that what you did wasnt, no isnt, fucked up. But I am still your friend too. Talk to me.
Bette looked at Alice and knew that she was right. She needed to talk to someone. Lets go in the kitchen, Ill make us some coffee.

After fixing the both of them coffee, Bette and Alice sat down out by the pool. Alice stared at Bette until Bette began speaking.
I dont really know what you want me to say, Al.
Start with what the ***** happened!
Thats just it. I dont know what happened. All I know is that I felt a rift between Tina and myself that just kept getting bigger. And I was extremely attracted to Candace.
The ugly carpenter?
Bette gave Alice a disapproving look that Alice didnt acknowledge.
It just sort of happened. I kept trying to stop it, but the attraction was too intense.
Uh-huh. was the only reaction Alice had.
I didnt do it consciously. I never meant to hurt Tina.
Yeah. I love that line. Did you think that she was going to be happy for you? Gee, Bette, Im happy that you got fucked real well by another woman tonight. Want fish for dinner?
Bette shot another look to Alice that was filled with anger.
I didnt think Alice. Dont you get it? Bette hesitated before asking her next question.
Alhow is she?
The pained look on Bettes face forced Alice to suppress the urge to be a smart *****.
Shes not good. She cried herself to sleep this morning. She devastated Bette. You were her life.
Bette allowed her tears to roll down her face. There was no need to hide them from Alice. She was here to give her ***** about what she had done but she was also her friend.

An hour late, Tina had showered and dressed. She felt a little more human now, but she still felt like *****. Now that she was dressed she didnt know what to do. She didnt want to take the chance of seeing Bette; so going to the planet was out of the question. But she had a strong urge to be surrounded by her friends. Tina picked up the phone and called Dana.
Hello?
Hey Dana. Its me Tina.
Hey Tina. Tonya and I were just heading down to the planet for coffee. Want to meet us?
Tina looked at her watch and shook her head. She didnt think she could handle seeing Bette after last night.
Have you heard from Alice? she asked cautiously. There was no note left for her this morning.
Yeah, a while ago. She said she was going over to Bettes. That there was something important she had to talk to her about. Hey isnt she there yet?
Tina realized that Dana was still in the dark about Bettes cheating.
Oh, um I had some errands to run early and I havent been home yet, so I must have missed her. Tina looked around the room ***** it she said to herself. If shes there, shes there.
Yeah Ill meet you guys in the back of the planet say 20 minutes?
Sure. Hey Tina? Are you okay? You dont sound like yourself.
Yeah, Dana, Im ok. Ill see you in a little bit. Tina hung up her cell phone and got ready to leave.


Alice left Bettes a few hours later. Bette had said that she wanted to go into work for a little bit and try to take her mind off Tina. She was contemplating calling her, but new that it was probably too soon. Still, Bette had an intense desire to tell hertell her what? she thought. Tell her I love her and that I am sorry she said aloud. Bette picked up the phone and dialed Tinas cell number. After the fourth ring, she got voicemail.
T, its me. I was just calling to tell you. Tell you I love you and that I am so incredibly sorry. I never meant for this to happen. Baby, I am so sorry. Please call me. Bette hung up the phone and began to cry silently.

Alice hung up from talking to Tina and sat thought fully looking out the window of her car. What a terrible ***** situation. She was so torn. Bette was wrong for what she did but Alice knew that underneath all of her *****, Bette loved Tina more than life itself. And, poor Tina. First, she lost her baby, now her wife. Alice sighed and turned the corner when the light turned green.

Tina, Dana Shane and Tonya were all sitting at a table in the back when Alice got there. Alice saw Tina look frantic as she walked in, but Alice gave her a big, comforting smile so that she would know Bette was not with her. She could see Tina relax instantly.
Hey guys! Whats shaking?
Shane looked at Alice and said Finally! Can someone please tell us whats going on now?
Alice looked at Tina who shrugged, smiled, and said They can kind of tell somethings not right when I start crying for no reason.
Tina continued to look at Alice who gave her a questioning look.
Go ahead, we all know that you cant keep a secret, she teased.
Alice smiled and laughed, sensing that Tina was feeling a little better being around her friends.
Well, as you can obviously tell, she began pointing to Tina, Tina here is a little emotionally distraught right now.
Tina smiled through her tears. She realized that hearing Alice tell the group would make the situation even more real, and wondered how she would react to hearing those words.
Right now, Tina needs our support and comfort more than ever. All of the girls in the group looked at Tina and back to Alice as she began speaking again.
Last night, Tina found out that Bette has been cheating on her with Candace, the carpenter.
Those words, and their reality brought a harsh sob out of Tina. Everyone sat there and looked stunned. Shane hugged Tina trying her best to console her. Dana answered a few questions giving as much information as she could. When she was finished talking, Tina had composed herself.
I dont want you guys to treat Bette any different, this is between me and her, she is going to need her friends, too. Everyone muttered very unconvincing affirmatives to this request.

Bette was at work in her office. The place was quiet. No matter what she did, all she could think about was Tina. There was a soft knock on the door.
Yes?
The door slid open and Bette saw Candace standing there. Her stomach twisted.
Hey, I tried to call you earlier.
Yeah, Ive been busy Bette said pointing to all the papers on her desk.
Oh, okay. Do you want me to leave you alone?
Bette contemplated that question. She mustered all of her strength and said Candace, why dont you sit down?
When Candace was sitting across the desk from Bette, she continued speaking.
Candace, I told Tina about us last night.
Candace sat looking at Bette, showing no emotion at all.
I hurt my wife, and I cant even tell her why. I cant explain it to myself, much less her. She deserves more than what I have given her. I just her voice trailed off as she began to cry.
I think I understand, Bette. Candace got up from her seat and walked over to Bette. She could see Bettes body get rigid and uncomfortable when she came near. I know what its like to love someone so completely that you lose yourself in them.
Bette looked up at Candace and straightened herself. Then you understand why I cant see you anymore. Im sorry Candace.
Candace looked at Bette disbelievingly.
But, I thought you said that you told Tina?
I did, but that doesnt mean I intend to continue to treat her badly. What happened between us was a mistake. I made a mistake, Im sorry.
So, thats it? Your telling me that you ruined your relationship and now you dont want to see me anymore? That doesnt make any sense!
Bette turned to look Candace directly in the eye as she spoke. It doesnt have to make sense to you, Candace. This is my life and I intend to take back control of it. Bette began walking to the door to her office. Now, if you dont mind. She said as she opened the door. Candace looked at her intensely. Bette locked eyes with Candace.
I really am sorry Candace. I should have said no from the beginning. Please understand that no matter how much damage may be already done, I cant give up on my marriage.


Tina and Alice were home when Bette called again. Tina began crying at the sound of Bettes voice on the answering machine; pleading with her to pick up the phone or call her. Alice sat down on the couch with Tina and rubbed her hair while she cried herself to sleep for the second night in a row.

END Chapter 1