Bar in Anonymous Neighbourhood

Bette

Bette had truly hoped that she would never get to this day–the day she had to call in her favour from Monique, but that day had come and there was no way around it. As she sat in the small, discrete bar that Monique had suggested Bette glanced at her watch and played idly with the ring that sat once again on her left hand ring finger. Her mind fought its way through the fog that had settled on it since hearing of her suspension, as it cleared and focused on the tiny little hands that read 6:45 a realization dawned on her.

Fuck! I haven’t called T at all Taking care of what needed to happened alone was something she had done for so long it was like breathing-natural. It had never even crossed her mind to call, to let Tina know anything at all. She hadn’t even left her a message! Praying that T would understand her and would understand that old habits were hard to break, Bette reached into her bag to retrieve her phone and dialed Tina’s number at home. Monique would not be here for 15 more minutes enough time she assured herself. An eternity seemed to pass as the cell rang then Tina’s voice, soft and sweet but edged with concern.

"Hello"

"Hi baby it’s me. I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier its been–difficult and well I really have no excuse other than habit for not calling."

Silence dominated the line for several seconds,

"I thought it must have been. What happened? Where are you?"

"Jodi contacted the Board and told them I threatened her the other day and I’ve been suspended immediately until there is a review at which I can present my defense."

"What!! Bette that is horrible. You must be … " Tina chose not to finish the sentence and add salt to the wound. Instead she simply continued, "I’m so sorry hon. God I could rip that bitch to pieces! Where are you ?"

"I’m in a bar, it’s better if you don’t know which one babe, in the village waiting for Monique. I don’t have any other choice T, Jodie has forced my..our hand."

"I know you don’t baby. It’s really good to hear you say that she forced ‘our’ hand. "