It took Bette a very long time before she could get to sleep. And even then the floor wasnt exactly comfortable. Her mind was a quagmire of thoughts and for the umpteenth time Bette thought about the first disastrous day at the Kennards. After Richard Kennard said the unthinkable Tina abruptly left the table, dragging Bette with her up to their room. Bette could not even speak, her mind was literally blank with shock and she followed almost passively. However once the door to their room closed Bette slowly turned around and looked at Tina who was breathing fast and smoothing her hair down in anger. Bette very quietly, very softly saidTinanobody knows about my involvement withthe Haywood caseexcept for you knowsohow does your father know? Tina looked up and all the color left her face. Bette, she said her voice trembling, I spoke with Frank my cousin right before we cameIm so sorry…he was following the case and I told him so people wouldnt talk about it hereoh Bette I didnt get into details just that you were a witnessI dont know how my father knowsBette are you ok?

Tina could actually see the emotions flow through Bette. First her body went incredibly tense, every single muscle in her neck went taut and the color of rage seeped into her face. Tina thought Bette was going to hit her. Then the red left her face and a sallow kind of pale white replaced it, and her body went slack and her shoulders drooped which alarmed Tina. Bette was never this kind of a defeatist. And then she spoke in a voice that made Tina step closer it was so quiet. TinaI only said that because he said it like he knewI wasnt implying anything, turning around Bette held onto the side table then over her shoulder said.I never thought you would do this. Tina put a hand to her mouth, she felt so stupid, and she felt like a betrayer. But Tina never told Frank Bette was raped by Haywood, when he told her father Richard Kennard must have did some research. Tina knew of his connections in the judicial system. Why would he do that? Did have enough interest in Tinas life that he would go through all that trouble? But the words were stuck in Tinas mouth, they couldnt come outshe couldnt tell Bette that she really didnt tell her family her painful experience.