Yolanda continued to wait impatiently in the car contemplating what could be going on inside the house until she saw Tina, Alice, and Dana come out.

That picture doesnt look good. What the ***** could have happened in there? Yolanda thought.

Watching the body language of the three women, she surmised that something bad had happened. She could see Tina acting aggressively with Alice and Dana trying to calm her as they pushed her into the car. She tried to figure out a way to get close to the house without being seen and once she saw the car pull away, she skulked toward the house finding a secure place to get a good view through a side window. Luck couldnt have been anymore on her side because it was partially open. She couldnt hear everything clearly, but heard enough to know that Bette and Candace were caught cheating, a heated exchange had taken place, and it appeared that Bette and Candace were now arguing with each other. A combination of anger, jealously, and humor filled Yolanda as she eased away from her vantage point and ran back to her car. She continued to wait for Candace to leave so that she could follow her again.

My, my, my Candace, what a tangled web youve weaved, Yolanda said out loud. And Ms. Porter, you dont know the half of what youve gotten yourself into, she continued deviously.

In the house

You really need to get that checked again to make sure you didnt bust a stitch, Candace said softly, weary of all the excitement.

***** you Candace! Bette snapped with hostility. Why the ***** do you care? You heard her; nothing matters anymore. Nothing! She continued, turning her back to Candace.

Fine Bette! Have it your way, but remember who called who okay? Candace hurled back. I was only tying to help, she defended herself. Youre not gonna pin this all on me. You were a willing participant and the sooner you get that through your self-righteous head, the better off youll be, she said authoritatively.

Bette spun around ready to attack, squinting her eyes.

Self-righteous? Youre calling ME self-righteous? Bette angrily questioned. YOU programmed my number into YOUR phone. YOU sat at my feet easing yourself onto me. YOU told me how much you missed me. YOU did all that Candace and youre calling ME self-righteous, Bettes words spewed from her mouth. And help? Dont even get me started on that, Bette continued to spit. I wish I hadnt called you and none of this would have happened.

Ready for the verbal attack, Candace thought of their times together and how Bette voluntarily reacted to her instead of putting her foot down and saying no. Candace knew the attraction was undeniably and mutually strong, and Bette was a willing and coherent party to their liaisons.

Oh ***** ***** no Bette Porter! Candace screamed. On NO occasion did you ever stop me. Candace waved her hand at Bette. You may have voiced some doubts, but NEVER did you say stop, or push me away and mean it. You were anything but forceful and direct. The only time youve ever backed down was now because Tina busted you.

US! Bette cut in.

Okay us. But its not like what Im saying isnt still a fact. Candace rested her case leaving Bette to digest her words.

For the first time, she looked down at her shin where Tina kicked her; it was cut slightly, and ached like *****. She felt a lump raise up, which pissed her off even more.

And just so you know, I could press charges against Tina, but unlike you, I admit I deserved it and am wrong, Candace fussed.

Get the ***** out of my house Candace, Bette stated moving toward the door. I never said I wasnt wrong or deserved it, but youre just too hostile to see that, she said firmly trying to drive her words in. I KNOW Im wrong and I dont need you sticking it to me too, she continued wearily. You just dont ***** get it because youre used to drama and bullshit in your life, she concluded thinking shed won.

Candace walked over to Bette and looked her dead in the eye, refusing to break her stare.

You my dear, dont know jack ***** about me and what Im used to, Candace informed in an intimidating tone. I live my life the best I can with what I have and I dont personify myself as a superwoman, Bette flinched at those words. And I accept the good with the bad. Im sorry it came down to this, Candace looked away for a moment. The ugliness of it all because I do still feel strongly toward you, but its apparent youre not woman enough for me. I told you, my relationship with Yolanda ended because of the drama she came with. So, to set the record straight, Im not the drama queen you think I am. Now, if you dont mind Ill be leaving because I cant take anymore of this cat and mouse game we seem to be playing.

It was apparent that Candaces words were terminal and Bette had met her match with words and wit. She couldnt do anything but stare back at Candace who still had her eye-lock. With a Judas slap into reality, Candace kissed Bette gently on her mouth and walked out the door leaving Bette helpless, confused, and very much alone.

Yolanda saw Candace leave, promptly started her car, and began her pursuit.

At Alices

Tina, please tell me, us, what the ***** happened back there? Alice asked.

Alice? Dana piped in. What if shes not ready to, Dana continued trying to protect Tina.

What? Alice said in a cocky tone. She was quiet the entire ride here and I left her alone. You know I can only take so much silence, she flipped.

Tina said nothing. She walked over to the kitchen cabinet, pulled out snacks then plopped herself on the stool and began mindlessly eating. Dana and Alice looked at each other confused at how calm she was. Fearing that it was the calm before the storm, they both sat beside her, hoping their stares would force her to speak. It didnt, so Alice decided on more drastic measures and pulled the snacks from in front of her and ran off with them. Tina jumped off the stool chasing Alice into the living room.

Gimme my food back, Im starving, Tina snapped grabbing for the bag of chips.

I will as soon as you talk to us Tee, Alice offered waving the bag.

Were concerned. It, it looked really bad, Dana jumped in cautiously.

Okay, okay, if it will get you off my back, Tina replied slightly agitated.

Dana and Alice sat on the couch next to Tina waiting for her to begin. They watched her expression, which went from pensive to passive as she recapped the story sparing no details. Their reactions were a combination of shock, awe, and amusement.

Well, as promised, here are your snacks, said Dana. I thought I did something with Tonya, she added. But I dont have ***** on you woman, Dana laughed making the cross sign.

Tonya? What happened with her?

Alice and Dana laughed recapping the story to Tina and they all erupted into more laughter and for a while, Tina forgot her troubles.

The day presses on

Candace arrived at her place and immediately threw herself into some work. She couldnt allow herself to remain still and let the days event toil relentlessly in her head. The drive home had been hard enough for her to endure. Yolanda, who had been carefully in tow, turned off to a side street once she realized Candace was going directly home.

Candace tended to her now fully bruised shin, cursing Tina for kicking her and herself for allowing her emotions to get that much control over her with someone she barely knew. It wasnt her style to get involved with someone who was already involved, but she couldnt deny there was something unmistakably ***** and appealing about Bette. She knew her attraction was more than purely sexual or it would have been easier for her to walk away and react to Bette as just a friend when she called for help. It pained her to know that she had to get so nasty with her, but regardless of the ***** they went through, the truth had to be told. Her integrity, though now compromised, was still something very important to her. As hard as she tried, she couldnt concentrate and found herself thinking more and more of Bette and hoped that she was all right. Calling was not an option and there was no other way of reaching out to her, so she sucked it up and tried to get back into her work.

The days not over yet

Yolanda went home and immediately looked up the number for the CAC. She knew that number would be easier to get than Bettes home or cell number, which she assumed would be unlisted anyway. As she waited she planned her story.

Yes. Hello, Im trying to reach Bette Porter, Yolanda stated professionally. Oh shes not? Im sorry, when would be a better time to call? Yes, this is a business matter. I misplaced her business card on which she had a cell number and Im anxious to speak with her. We met at Provocations. Oh you can? Great thank you. Yes, Im ready. Thank you. Thank you very much, she hung up, very pleased with herself.

Yolanda underscored the number thinking of how much easier it was than she thought. She felt like shed been given a blank check and didnt know how to spend it.