Fast Forward 8 months

Friday night. At The Planet.
Alice: Wow! You look hot, hot, hot. I am sooo excited. I wonder who the highest bidder is going to be. You will sell like hot cakes. Gosh I am so jealous.

Tina: I hope so the Dream House need all the money we can raised. Thanks for coming up with such a brilliant idea. Last month we raised $2752.25. If we keep this up, well be able to buy computers for the Library and get more equipments.

Its been 8 months and 3 weeks since Tina found out that Bette cheated on her. The healing process has been slow in the beginning. Tina felt she had been to ***** and back. Shes grateful to have her friends there for her. She and Bette have been seeing each 2 or 3 times per week. Mostly its hanging out with the gang. Things are progressing slowly but steadily. Sometimes its one step forward and two step backwards. But they are working at it. Bette have been seeing a therapist – Dr M Brandt. Bette has made lots of progress (to find out the progress read Bette/Tina Introspection by M Brandt) Tinas been seeing Dr Georgia. They are both making positive changes to many destructive behavioural patterns.

Tina went back to work at her the production company. She was lucky to get back her old job. Not full time. Its job sharing – three days a week – sharing with Melissa. Melissa just had a baby and she wanted to have more time at home but needed the extra money. Tina knew Melissa from way back during her straight days. (thinking about this made her smile). So she works Monday to Wednesday, while Melissa have Thursdays & Fridays.

On Thursdays, Tina works as volunteer at Dream Center. She loves her play time there, not work. So, Thursdays are her favourite. She has been helping to set-up a safe house for street kids – a place where they come and hang out, play pool, games, read, and most of all, get off the street.

Dream Centre was given a very run down house (run down but a house nevertheless) so shes been working with other volunteers to set the place up. Funds are short so the progress is slow. A few of the kids have come in to help. The church downtown help out too. They gave the exterior a fresh coat of paint and then decorated it with some nice graffiti art. They raise fund to repair the roof. Rev. Johnsons congregation donated money to put in a small kitchen. The people at Dream Centre were great too. They donated a TV, VCR, VCD player and a CD player. They bring lots of volunteers and helpers to scrub the place clean. Theres lots more to do before the place is fully operational. Tina just cant wait for it to finish. They will name the place DREAM HOUSE. She hope the house will be a place where the neglected and street kids will come and find refuge and begin to dream, to dream of a future

Tonight, they have organized a fundraiser auction at The Planet. This has become a monthly thing since Dana, Al and Shane (the gang) came up with the idea while preparing for their regular Intervention meetings. It started as a way to get Tina out – to help her find a way to get on her feet again. The gang wanted her to have some fun so they had parties. In the beginning Tina was not really keen about the idea of being around too many people and then having to go out with strangers – was not something she was used to. So, after she started volunteering at Dream Centre, the gang came up with the brilliant idea of using the night as a fundraiser for DREAM HOUSE. Tina loved the idea and was willing to participate because she wanted to raise some money for the house. In fact she enjoyed meeting the new people. Actually most of them are friends of friends.

The object of Auction is always TINA. Yes, Tina! The highest bidder get to take Tina out for movies, or spend a day at Disneyland, watch Basketball or baseball games, picnic at the park or a swim at the beach. Tonight, is special the winning bidder gets to dance with Tina exclusively and then have a quiet dinner for two at a secret location. So, the gang was all excited to see who would be the winner.

The rules are strict and its purely for fun and good time not sexual fantasies. The successful bidder has to sign a form agreeing to the rules. Failing to adhere to the rules means Tina can leave at anytime she feels its appropriate.
When it first started, Alice acted as the chaperone from a distant following her around checking that shes in safe hands. Shane has done that too and Dana was another story. She got hopelessly loss and ended up being rescued. They made Tina carry pepper spray, personal alarm and pre-program her cell phone to dial 911. She was never alone with the person but always in a crowded place.

Most of the bidders so far have been really generous. Joining in the fun. All patrons for the night pay $10 as entrance fee. Everyone knows its a fundraiser and most were willing to pay. Since this started business on that Fundraiser Friday have been wonderful. They were hardly any room to move.

At 9.00 the Auction started. There were more people than usual. Word was out about the dance and dinner and many eyes were checking Tina out. She look stunning tonight. Shane has done a fantastic job on her hair this morning making Tina look absolutely delicious to look at. She wore a black dress, sleeveless and a red scarf round her neck. She was stunning.

Alice was the auctioneer as usual. Bidding started at $100. A price war started among a group of ladies and some men even join in the bidding soon it has gone up to $450. Is that the final bid ladies and gentlemen? Then a voice at the front row yell $500. Then a mans voice shouted $550. The another lady $575 it went on and on for another few minutes. The final bid ladies and gentlemen is $790. Do I hear another bid. Closing once, twice and .. $1000 came a voice from the very back.

All eyes turn to the voice. Alice recognized the voice and she saw her. She smile. Grinning from ear to ear. She quickly concluded the auction. Ladies and gentlemen. This is the final call. At $1000 calling once, twice and three times. Winning bidder is a Miss Porter. Thank you. Thank you everyone.

(Everyone cheered and whistle and clapped and cheered some more.) Tina took a bow. Blushing.
Tina: Thank you. Thank you for being so generous. As you know, all proceeds goes to setting up the Dream House. Please come and support us again next month. She went around shaking hands and thanking everyone.

While Tina was doing her little speech, Alice slipped away. She ran to hug Bette. She was jumping and screaming. She was so excited. (Shes glad Bettes not upset with the idea.)

Al: I cant believe you paid a thousand bucks to dance and have dinner with Tina.

B: You dont expect me to stand there and watch these vultures bid for Tina. (pretending to be horrified.) There is no way I will let someone else dance exclusively with her and then take her out to a secret location for dinner. (smiling now)

Al: well Bette, let me tell you, you are one lucky woman tonight. (wink and smiling) Anyway, how did you know about tonight? Who told you?

B: well I have my sources.

Al: Hmmn must be Kit. Ill go and thank her afterwards and then Ill kill her.

B: Actually it was Shane. She asked me to come and said theres something up for grabs if Im up to it. Well curiosity got the better of me, so I came.

Since their talk 8 months ago, Shane and Bette have become closer. Shane kept her word that she will support Bette when needed and she has. Bette loved Shane to bits for the way she stood up for Tina. She knew that if she was in Tinas shoe, Shane would have done the same and confronted Tina. Gosh that was one tough conversation but it made Bette realized many things. She knew she has friends who loved her whether shes perfect or not. She placed those expectations on herself while they just love her for who she is.

Alice has been Alice – a pain in the *****. Poking fun and teasing Bette when she get the chance. She has also become extra-protective of Tina. She kept a close watch all the time while trying not to be nosy which was really difficult. Alice being Alice. But she has stood by Bette too, supporting Bette, encouraging her, nudging gently and sometimes, creating opportunities for her and Tina to meet coincidentally. She also made sure Bette is informed and well aware of things. All except the INTERVENTION thing. The gang has refused to let her in on the Fundraiser Friday. Never mentioning it. Bette was upset about it in the beginning – she was excluded and she felt hurt. But eventually she understood that it was something they wanted to do for Tina. Tina needed to be strong again and they want to help her stand on her feet again. To create an excitement for her where she can channel her energy. It has worked as Tina was so excited about it.

It was hard for Bette. The gang was very secretive and discreet about it from the beginning, trying not to rub it in Bettes face. But once she understood, she made it clear that shes supportive of the idea. But the gang always try to keep the details secret. Bette knew it was to raise funds but she didnt know Tina was up for auction. They knew how jealous Bette is when it comes to Tina. And they knew she wouldnt like the idea of Tina going out with another person, man or woman, especially a stranger.

And Tina. She moved out from Alice place 6 months ago. She found a place near Alices. A one room apartment. Small but cosy. It was sufficient for her needs. Tina made the best of it. She has the gang comes over at least twice a week. Tina loves to cook but they all insist on taking turns to cook or bring a takeaway. It was always fun some times they play poker, watch a video or just talk. Two months ago, Tina invited Bette to join them and since then she has not miss once. It was awkward in the beginning but soon they were back to their comfortable self.

Bette: Anyway its for a good cause. The money goes to the Dream House right. Tina loves that project and I wanted to help out.

Al: help dream house help my *****. You just wanted to help yourself, thats more like it. (Alice giving her this wicked smile and wink at her)

Bette (smile back) Well thanks for closing the bid quickly for a moment I thought I might have to sell my car to win this bid. (Bette laugh)

Al: Come one lets finalised this auction and let you get on with romancing your woman. First, pay up. Then sign this agreement. Then shes all yours.

B: sign what? You mean theres a contract.

Al: you heard me. The agreement is so that you will behave yourself, if not she has the right to walk away. Im not sure I trust you around her. So, behave Porter. And have fun. Hmmn Im sure youll enjoy this. Shes worth it.