Summary of the previous chapter: Alice increases the pressure on Tonya. Kit reveals to Tina an embarrassing story from Bettes childhood.

Hi, baby. Would you like some tea? Tina asked Bette.
Sure.
They sat down at the table together. Bette found herself feeling depressed because Tina had been talking to Helena so, she sat sipping her tea in silence.

Tina saw the look on Bettes face when she had seen the phone and the look she had as she sipped her tea. She wasnt sure how to approach the subject, but like Bette, Tina didnt want to ruin the fun they had enjoyed that evening.

Helena had left a message on my phone.

Oh.

I was calling to tell her that I needed to talk to her. I owe it to her to tell her in person that she and I shouldnt see each other anymore.

Bettes face lit up. Youre really going to dump her?

Well, I would prefer to think of it a little more eloquently, but yes.

Bette chose to respond with a simple, but heartfelt statement. Thank you.

Weve got to work on this, though Bette. We cant let things become like they were before.

I wont, T. It took losing what I had to realize how much I had taken it for granted. I love you and I love our baby. I wont let the two of you down ever again.

Bette and Tina went to bed that night together and held each other. They were both still a bit hesitant about a physical reconnection, realizing that they had both slept with other people since the last time they had been intimate. With this knowledge came insecurity as they both had to wonder if they would still be able to satisfy the other. What if Tina felt that Helena had been a better lover or what if Bette thought that Candace or one of her one night stands could do for her what Tina did not?

Thus, it was Wednesday morning. Alex donned her Alice outfit and drove over to Danas. Fortunately for her, she was greeted at the door by Dana and not Tonya.

Are you ready my child to go say our chants? We must stay in blessed status by the spaceship.

Dana turned to Tonya. Oh, somebody will be coming by today to get the Subaru?

What are you talking about?

I dont own it, Tonya. Subaru just gave it to me to use as part of the promotion deal. Since Im giving up tennis and my contract with them, they want it back.

Dana. Tonya whined.

Its okay. We can learn to ride the bus. Maybe Alethia and I can pick up a bus schedule when we are finished.

Dana hurried out of the house and got into the car with Alex.

Tina will meet us at the hotel. She has got your gym bag and all of your gear. How did it go with Tonya last night?

Oh, Alex it was awful. She just kept whining. You know, she never asked me why I was doing this or if something was bothering me that led to this. All she did was talk about the money I was giving away.

Shows you where her heart is, huh?

Thanks for your help in getting her out of my life.

You know, Dana, in my opinion the best part of all this is that if Tonya tries to do anything she is going to look so stupid. There is no Alethia or Church of the Broken String. Can you imagine what a fool she will make of herself if she goes to some reporter and starts talking about spaceships from Morvar?

She deserves it. I wish she would leave already.

How long do you think it will take?

She said a couple of times that maybe I didnt love her. I guess shes probably waiting until she finds another person to leach herself on to.

I hope we dont have to come up with a plan for that. Ive got to be back in D.C. next week.

You do? That sucks.

I know. Im really hoping that the plan will have succeeded by then.

When they arrived back at the hotel, Tina was waiting in Alexs room courtesy of the key Alex had left for her at the front desk. Tina inquired as to how Dana was holding together and Dana went to change while Tina and Alex talked.

How are things going? Alex asked.

Good. I could tell Bette was a little upset last night when she came in and realized I was on the phone with Helena.

Cant say I blame Betty for that one.

She was happy when I told her that I was going to meet with Helena to tell her that I cant see her anymore.

Youre dumping Lady ***** Breath. Im so proud of you, T-bird.

I really want to make things work with Bette. I love her. I mean, I hate her sometimes too, but I love her.

One thing about our Miss Porter, you love her or you hate her, but you sure as ***** aint ambivalent about her. Alex remarked.

Tina decided to tease Alex a bit. Helena seems to be that way also.

***** no. There aint no love her or hate her with Lady ***** Puke, it is just pure HATE her.

Im not looking forward to this.

Why not? I would be delighted. Heck, say the word and I will be happy to dump her for you.

Helena can make things uncomfortable for Bette at work.

Would Lady Face from ***** stoop that low? Never minddont answer that as I suspect I already know the answer. The woman has no class. If she cant keep work and personal separate then she is as worthless as Ive said she is. Lady Hellion is living proof that money cant buy class.

Dana came out dressed for her practice games and the three headed down to the hotel court which Alex had paid handsomely to reserve for complete privacy.

Alex was thrilled that Tina was getting rid of Helena. It was more than her love of Bette and Tina as a couple, the more she heard about Helena the stronger her hatred grew.

Alex sure wished that Catherine were there. She would have been so much better at knowing what to say to Alexs friends. Even though it was almost eight years since Catherine had died, there were moments when the intensity of Alexs grief hit her in the chest as if she had been run over by Bettes Saab. It was becoming one of those moments. Alex excused herself and left Tina watching the tennis practice while she went to her room, ostensibly to make a phone call to her publisher.

In her room, Alex sat down at her trusty laptop and completed a project while having a couple of glasses of wine. Even though Alex, like Bette, had been raised to keep her emotions internalized, there were moments when she wished she could talk about her feelings and unburden herself. She had been carrying a heavy burden since the winter night that Catherine had hit a patch of black ice and slid into the tree at 45 miles per hour. If it werent for the feeling that unburdening her soul would be a sign of weakness, Alex would have broken down and confessed the secret which she had told no one in all of the years since she had lost the love of her life.

Her project finished, Alex steeled her shoulders and went down to join Tina at the tennis courts. When the athletes broke for lunch, the ladies went to Alexs room where they were joined by Bette. They ordered room service lunch and talked about Mission Eliminate Tonya.

After lunch, Dana went back down to the court to do some stretches leaving Alex alone with Tina and Bette. As Bette was walking by the desk, she glanced down and saw Alexs flight itinerary.

Youre leaving Sunday?

Ive got an imperative meeting in D.C.

Are you serious? Youve only been here five days.

Im sorry, Betty. This cant be avoided.

Well, I am starting to feel like you are avoiding us. We havent seen you in more than a year and when you do finally show up, you dont even stay two weeks.

Its not personal, Betty. I have to go to D.C.

What is so goddamned important that you cannot even spend time with your best friend?

Look, Betty. I have something goddamned important that I have to do. I am sorry. I did not plan it this way.

Since when have you ever planned anything this way?

What the ***** is that supposed to mean?

Tina felt the need to interject in a conversation that was becoming rather heated. Were really sorry that you have to leave, Alex. We wish we had more time with you.

Bullshit, Tina. Bette said. All Alex ever knows how to do is leave.

Oh, coming from you, Betty, that is ***** comical.

Oh yeah, well at least I can stay in one place long enough to spend a little bit of time with the people who love me.

What do you want me to do, Betty? Should I stop writing so I can follow you around all day looking at your butt?

Dont even play that line with me. You know damn well that you dont need to travel in order to write. I read what you wrote before you became International Traveler Number One. It was just as good.

Like you would understand authenticity.

Whats authentic about fiction. Thats why you write fiction, Alex.

I write fiction so that I can supplement the authentic information available.

And do you think that Joe Moron who reads your books has a ***** clue about authentic information for Christs sake? It isnt like you are writing scholarly material.

Forgive me for writing books that arent up to your academic standards. Why dont we talk about modern ***** art? What does it require to take a couple of grand off somebody for a few paint dots on canvas which, I might add, any IDIOT could do, even the IDIOTS who read my books. Art is bullshit.

Talk about bullshit. Bullshit is all you know, Alex. It is all youve ever known.

***** you, Bette Porter, Superior Being.

And ***** you, Alexandra Novack, bullshit *****.

ENOUGH, yelled Tina who was afraid that Bette and Alex were going to come to blows given the anger that she could see reflected from both of their faces. What is wrong with you two?

What is wrong with me is that your wife is a total jackass. Alex responded.

No, what is wrong is that your wifes best friend is a total *****.

Well, right now you are both acting like a couple of *****. How the ***** did this get started anyway?

Your wife seems to begrudge the fact that I must go back to D.C. to live my life.

Your wife is upset that her supposed best friend cant be bothered to spend any time with her friends. For someone who always lectures me about priorities Bette retorted.

Oh, and I am such a priority to you? Since when has anyone been a priority to Bette Porter except for Bette Porter? You almost lost your wife because you are such a self-absorbed narcissist.

Thats hitting below the belt, Alex. Ive never said anything about your relationship with Catherine.

What do you have to say about my relationship with Catherine?

Where were your ***** priorities?

Alex didnt let Bette finish her sentence. She gritted her teeth and said in a voice that left no room for misinterpretation, get the ***** out of my sight, right now.


Alex turned to Tina. Im sorry, T-bird, but please get her the ***** out of here right now. With that, Alex turned and walked into the bedroom slamming the door so hard, the doorframe vibrated.

Tina took Bette by the hand and led her out of the room. Alex waited until she heard the door close. She sat down a poured herself a glass of wine. ***** this, she said before going over to the sofa and pummeling the cushions until she was too worn and out of breath to continue. Exhausted, she feel to the floor and put her head in her hands.