The Gathering 01.74 – Turbulence pt 3 – Nightfall

            Tina was running around the Center trying to get all the files in order and Oscar was doing the same.  Phones rang in the back ground and other people were answering them with loud voices.  The din was almost unbearable compared to the quiet of Tina‘s other job at VanGuard.  She bumped comically into Oscar and his smile was strained.  Tina smiled back handing him the stack of files and going back to her desk.

            “I don’t believe that they moved up the case by two weeks.”  Oscar muttered; and ran into his office, putting the files into a box.  Pushing a frustrated hand through his thick mangle of hair.

            “Is that really a bad thing?”  Called Tina; who’s cell phone was ringing on her hip, she felt the vibration and she snatched it from her pocket, with a soft curse at her lips.

            “Kennard.”  An unusually quiet voice of Brian Kinney came drifting through the phone and he said.

            “Tina?  I’m trying to reach Sam, and I can’t seem to figure out how to reach her, and I don’t have the number to her other friends, so I’m trying you.  I need to talk to her, can you get her a message, I know she’s on her honeymoon, but.  I need her.”  Tina stopped dead in her tracks. 

            “I think she left an emergency number with Marty, I’ll get the message to her, Brian are you ok?”  Tina asked and he softly said.

            “Thanks.”  And promptly hung up the phone.  Leaving Tina flabbergasted and she yelled to Oscar. 

            “Oscar I have to go, I have an emergency.”  Tina ran out of the Center, knowing in her heart that something was wrong.

*****

            Bette sat at the phone, looking at it, having just hung up with her father.  He had been in an angry mood that morning.  He’d admonished Bette about everything from the Provocations exhibit to her going back to Tina and telling her she needed to find a good professional man.  To stop playing around with this woman thing and finally settle down.  It had been a harrowing event and she felt emotionally drained.