Paxton went about his routine like Bette was non-existent. He got up, showered, dressed, ate, went to teach, came home, made dinner (for Bette too), marked papers,
prepared for the next lecture, dealt with the management, read his articles, listened to the radio, read books, listened to music, went to bed, talked on the phone…but never once
talking to Bette. But Bette knew Pax still loved her and would forgive her, because he would acknowledge her presence in other ways. Would make her a plate of food, a snack,
do the dishes, was considerate. But Bette felt his hurt,. his distrust, his heartbreak. Bette knew her husband was the most honest in the triangle. God she thought, i feel so
alone….the two people whom i love and i hope who love me HATE me. But Bette was tired of feeling sorry for herself, she went on with her life. She worked her ***** off, didn’t talk to
Paxton either. She did not want to be the first one who talked. She started resenting him more, felt tempted to tell him it was a woman not some man. She did tell him it was a
one time thing only. Yeah right. Bette had lost count. She had lost herself.

 One day, she hadn’t seen her in awhile, Bette saw Tina. Bette had got out of her car and and was about to come in her yard..Pax was not home. He was on one of his
outings with the other professors. Bette didn’t care anymore. But she did care about this. She had no way of knowing what to do though. It wa slike her morals were out the window, it was
like being a baby again. Bette only had faith that some structure would return in her life, when she knew what she wanted….when she had sense return to her. But she just stood
there and watched Tina garden. Tina must have felt something because she turned and saw Bette. She stood up and looked at her. Bette knew instantly that Tina knew what
happened. That Paxton knew….but Bette didn’t tell him about Tina, and Bette hadn’t bothered talking to Tina since. It was like she treated it as a vacation. Betet felt a tinge of
indignation….Tina shouldn’t be so pompous about it. She should know Bette was out of control. And Bette used to be so ….controlled. Pugh. All she was tihnking now was how
bad she felt….how….gentle she felt towards this woman standing in her yard giving Bette such an accusatory stare. Suddenly Bette wanted her and Tina to make love. She
wanted to make love gently…..all their other couplings were rough. Bette had taken out all her anger at Paxton and herself on Tina’s body before, and vis versa. Bette had endured Tina’s
….you get the picture. But now, Bette felt so bad…..but so…..gentle towards her. Tina dropped her watering thing and made for her door. Bette called out to her….came into
Tina’s yard….”Let’s….let’s forget for  a moment”. Tina looked down at her from the top of the stairs. Two tears flowed down her face. Bette’s heart screamed and tore itself apart.
Tina went in her house but left the door open.