Before she started to speak, Bette let out a deep sigh. Clearly this was hard for her and I wished that I could take her hand and lead her through whatever was troubling her. She tried as best she could to articulate what we four were trying to ignore, but reacting to just the same. As a way of protecting myself, I started to check out, hoping that whatever they were all discussing would end quickly. I’m not so lucky when Bette says my name and grouping us together, I try not to panic as I respond, “What are you saying Bette? Why are you dragging me in this?”

“I mean, T- Tina…” She called me T again. At this moment, I’m resisting the urge to fall at her feet and beg forgiveness, if she’ll have me. That feeling continued when she put Eric in his place about the nature of our relationship. I’ve never heard this sentiment from Bette. It’s thoughtful, it’s from the heart, it’s Bette Porter.

When Grace guesses that Bette’s plan to get rid of the weirdness is for us to have sex one more time, a huge part of me was intrigued. But I did my best to hide my feeling of delight at the suggestion. Besides I felt that I was being watched while Bette spoke.

“That’s another reason for this proposal.” Bette says.

“Well what is it, sis? I’m all ears.” I’m getting annoyed at him. There’s too many interruptions and whatever is on Bette’s mind is causing her some discomfort. I swear if one more person interrupts. I shoot him a warning look to stop talking.

“Ok, I think that Tina and I should have time, alone to talk. Because you’re right Gracie, Tina and I never finished. I now if we have the space to talk, everything would just fall into place.”

”What do you mean?” Grace asks.

“Well, if Tina and I have the opportunity to talk about our relationship, process it fully, we can move on. And by ‘move on’ I mean move away from being romantic partners to friends. And I’m hoping that this would help both you and my brother feel better about Tina and I as a former couple.”

”Sis, you weren’t a couple. Not really.”