It would prove to be a long night as the lovers solidified their bond with their lovemaking. They finally fell to sleep with smiles plastered across their faces.

Seven oclock the next morning the lovers were pulled from their haven of bliss by a loud banging at their front door.

Bette: (tired and angrily) Who the ***** could that be?

TBC

Tina gets up to answer the door. No T you stay here Ill get it and it better be good for them pounding on the door like that. Bette said. Bette approaches the door and peeps through and sees Simone standing there crying as she pulls her fist back before assaulting the door again. Bette yells to her through the door, Simone whats your problem have you gone completely crazy?

Simone: No, Its just Ive been trying to reach you all night weve got to talk.

Bette: I dont disagree with that, but WELL talk when IM ready. I dont appreciate being ambushed in my own home. Whatever you have to say keep it until a decent hour.

Simone: Bette Im sorry I owe both you and Tina but especially you an apology. I never meant for this to happen.

Against her better judgment Bette opened the door it wasnt fair that their neighbors hear all of this drama at this God forsaken hour. Bette opens the door to distraught Simone and as Bette turns to close the door she sees a very sheepish looking Tina has joined them.

Tina: (trying to find her voice”timidly) Simone why are you here so early insisting that we talk to you? Do you have any respect for our time and our wishes? I just heard Bette tell you she didnt appreciate being ambushed.

Simone: I know, I know. Im sorry. Id called the CAC left messages for Bette there and I called James who refused to give me Bettes cell phone number and finally I got your home number and address out of the phone directory.

Bette & Tina: (in unison) Why? (Turning to look at each other wearing faint smiles.)

Bette: Why go through the trouble?

Simone: Bette youve been nothing but kind to me and then out of loneliness and lack of better judgment I make a pass at Tina. I feel awful. I feel like such an *****. I was so thrilled about the show and I wanted to think of a way to repay you for all your kindness and encouragement. Kissing your wife isnt what I had in mind as a thank-you. I guess you think Im a horrible person and I couldnt bear the thought of you hating me.

Bette: Simone I dont hate you. I dont quite know what to think about you. Either youre a confused, lonely, sweet, pained, and misguided young woman (Bette said with a weak smile.) OR youre a conniving, manipulative *****. (Bettes smile quickly faded.) I just havent figured out which one, and to be honest with you Im sure Ive run out of the patience and interest to even try to figure it out. Simone Ive had my share of loneliness too but I never interfered with someone elses marriage to ease my pain. It was callous and I cant help but to think the absolute worse of you because you pursued me so much it makes me think you were just trying to insinuate yourself into my life”our lives anyway you could. Your coming here is further proof of your lack of respect for appropriate boundaries. I didnt cave into your advances so you had to get back at me through an attempt at Tina.

Tina: Im just sorry I gave in”if only it was for a moment. Simone it was a horrible mistake that should have never happened. I know we were both feeling pretty low but there was no excuse for that behavior.

Simone: Tina I couldnt agree with you more. Bette I guess Im here now scared because I dont want to be the person you think I am. I hope Im not that person. I needed to apologize. I know its impossible for us to be friends but Bette you and I will be working together for the next few months and I dont think it would be good for there to be any hard feelings between us.

Bette: You should have thought of that when you put your tongue in my wifes mouth.

Tina winced at Bettes choice of words she could tell that Bette was more pissed than she wanted to convey. I know Ive been forgiven but this wont soon be forgotten and with them working together Simone will be a constant reminder. What the ***** have I done? Tina silently admonished herself.

Bette: You know we havent formally signed anything regarding your individual show.

Simone: Bette dont say that”please dont do this! I need you. You know I dont trust any other museums or directors. I know I messed up but really, Im begging for you not to give up on me. I want to get over all this ***** I laughingly refer to as my life and move forward. Over the last several weeks anything good thats happened to me has been because of you. I cant wait to figure out whats wrong with me, so I can say this is the way that I used to be, just bear with me—please.

Bette: Really? I have to give this serious thought and look at this clearly. Youve apologized and pleaded your case. Ill let you know something later. Right now I just need to clear my head.

Simone: Bette I understand. Ill leave you to it. Tina I really am sorry for getting out of my place. I can assure you both it wont happen again.

Tina walked over to open the door. Youre right”it wont happen again. Tina turned to Bette as she closed the door behind Simone. Bette seemed to be in a pretty deep thought.


Tina: Babe whats up? What are you thinking?


Bette: She is a beautiful mess. She could benefit from talking to a professional. I really dont know what to do with her. How many times can someone apologize for inappropriate behavior? At some point dont you stop acting out?

Tina: I hope so babe. So it sounds like I was right to be a little insecure about her being around you. You said she kept pursuing you. You never really admitted that to me.

Bette: No I didnt I didnt want you to worry that I would stray.

Tina: And you didnt stray—I did. (Whispering)

Bette: T”you didnt stray too far and you came back home to me dont beat yourself up over a kiss. Im not glad it happened but one good thing came out of it. I got a taste of how you must have felt when I betrayed you and you know how easy it is to succumb to a temptation when you arent feeling to good about yourself.

Tina: You know I hadnt looked at it like that. God Bette I love how you helped to put that into perspective I thought youd still be hurt and angry especially after talking to her.

Bette: Oh Tina this is my head talking”my heart is still a little bruised but, something else my head knows”my bruised heart still beats only for you and it always will.

Tina ran to Bette and planted a loving deep kiss on her unsuspecting mouth.

Bette: MMMmm T what did I do to deserve that?

Tina: You love me Bette”sometimes its too much and I dont feel deserving and its at those times I need it most and you never failyou never fail. (tears slowly falling)

Bette: Hey T what are those? (Bette kisses Tinas tears away) Tina youve loved me when I was absolutely un-loveable its about time you gave me a chance to at least try to repay you. But T youre not hard to love.

The couple stood their holding each other for a few moments.

Tina: Babe (stroking Bettes hair)

Bette: Yeah T

Tina: We should call Dr. Wilson to have her check out our bun thats in the oven.

Bette: Yeah—diapers T. Weve finally getting our family. I love you.

Tina: I love you too”more than youll ever know.


TBC