“Tina. I’m not a home wrecker. I promise you don’t have anything to worry about from me. I would never disrespect you like that and Bette wouldn’t betray your trust. I know you probably thought I was dating Helena back when I met you but that wasn’t the case. I was in a committed relationship. I would never have cheated on my girlfriend nor would I ever be with anyone that wasn’t single. Helena asked me out in the guise of wanting to discuss my art. I thought she was a patron interested in collecting my work and furthering my career. The times you saw us together were not dates. Besides that I didn’t know what your relationship with her was at the time. If you recall she introduced you as a friend. She told me you were having your ex’s baby. I didn’t know it was Bette’s baby. I didn’t know anything about her obsession with destroying Bette. As a matter of fact Bette and I barely knew each other at the time.

We’d met briefly when she was trying to get me a show at the CAC but then she got fired and that never came to fruition. Helena told me that she would try to get me the show because she was on the board at the CAC but that never happened either. Months later I still didn’t have any prospects so that’s when I contacted Bette. I’d heard that she was freelancing as an Art Consultant. By then I had broken up with my girlfriend Valerie. I admit I was very attracted to Bette, and the feeling was mutual. We were both single and inevitably got involved in a romantic as well as a professional relationship.

Our attraction wasn’t just about sex Tina, we really liked each other as friends and we shared the same passion for art. I think that’s why we both want to pursue a friendship now. Had I not been such as idiot back then I could have had the career that Bette and James are offering me now. As for the teaching position it’s been another ambition of mine. Bette recognizes my talent and the contribution that I can make. She gave me the opportunity to apply but I earned this position on my own merit. I realize that had it not been for Bette I wouldn’t have even been considered for it.