Tina: Youre right but babe she doesnt know who she is dealing with. I wont stand for this she is crazy but when it comes to our family Bette”to protect it, I can assure you, I can become crazier.
Bette: I know T but lets just hope we can get her out of our lives altogether so no one has to deal with her or become crazy.
TBC

Monday morning quickly arrived and James was waiting for Bette in her office bright and early with background checks on Simone.

Bette: Good morning James I see youve been busy.
James: Well Bette your call caused me some concern so I started doing as much as I could from home.

James noticed Bette was struggling with a painting and her briefcase as she approached her office. He grabbed the painting and turned it around. Are you kidding me? He asked as he reviewed the image of Bette and her new family portrait.
James: I didnt start my research a moment too soon.
Bette: Im afraid to ask what you found.
James: Come on lets sit down”heres your coffee.
Bette inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. Just before James could begin to reveal his findings Bettes cell rang.
Bette: Hello?
Shane: Hi are you at work already? I was hoping to run into you guys at the Planet but Im here alone.
Bette: Yeah Shane I came straight to work hoping to convince Franklin to sever all ties with Simone regardless of how profitable it would be if we had her individual show.
Shane: Oh”well Bette thats what I wanted to talk to you about”Simone I went to see her Saturday night after you got the painting.
Bette: You did what? Shane what were you thinking?
Shane: That I told you I wouldnt let her hurt you or Tina”Bette I meant that, I wont let her hurt you.
Bette: Shane shes evidently crazy and I cant afford her hurting you. I wouldnt be able to stand it”God I dont even want to think about it.
Shane: Wheres Tina?
Bette: At home sleeping she didnt have to work today she was able to sleep in. Why?
Shane: Simone is crazy and I dont think Tina should be left alone until we find out how crazy she is”I dont think you should be alone either.
Bette: What did she say Shane, about Tina?
Shane: Bette it was pretty unsettling why dont I tell you later after I go to your place to visit Tina for a while”until you get home.
Bette: Shane you dont have to do that if you think she is a serious threat Ill go home.
Shane: No Bette you deal with getting her completely out of your professional life and Ill visit with Tina.
Bette: Thanks so much Shane we will have to talk later. By then Ill know more about Simones background then well be know better what we are dealing with. Oh, dont let Tina know you are babysitting her. I gave in and showed her the painting and shes been acting like Rambo ever since”you know too tough. Shell hate it knowing youre there watching over her.
Shane: Youre right. Ok Ill think of some excuse.
Bette: Girl trouble.
Shane: What?
Bette: Tell her youre having problems with the latest girl in your life.

Shane thought to herself that wasnt entirely untrue. Shes going to keep an eye on the woman she loves wife. Shane thought, The things you do for love. Bette continued, Oh Tina loves that stuff”relationship talk, let her give you advice about it, and Ill be there before you know it.

Shane: OkOk Bette thats what Ill do discuss girl problems.
Bette: Good Ill be there soon and Shane thanks so much. I really dont know what Id do without you.
Shane: (Smiling) Well hopefully well never find out.
Bette: Absolutelyabsolutely.
Shane: Bye

Bette: Sorry for the interruption James but Shane spoke to Simone Saturday night and thinks its best if she spends the day with Tina”at least while Im here.
James: Well knowing what I know and seeing this painting”Shanes right to worry.
Bette: My God James I didnt want to hear THAT.
James: We need to know what were dealing with.
Bette: What do you know”whats Simone Lennoxs background?
James: She has a record of stalking, assault and battery, and domestic violence. The victim, at the last minute, dropped the charges but at the arraignment the judge dismissed the charges with prejudice. The only reason the charges were dropped was because the victim refused to cooperate. I was able to see the arrest report and the findings of the case because its been documented that the next time Simone gets into any trouble these charges will go back on her record along with the new charges and shell be held accountable for both -she and her attorney agreed to it. The probationary period is for two years.
Bette: Why would the victim drop the charges and refuse to cooperate?
James: Thats my question too. I did a little more digging and found the victims name. Why dont you call her and find out.
Bette: Denise Jones you think I should call her.
James: Its the only way to know what the ***** is going on.

Bette decided James was right she had to speak with Denise Jones to determine what Simones story was. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes as she took the phone from James and dialed.

Denise: Hello?
Bette: Hello may I speak to Ms. Jones?
Denise: This is she. May I ask whos calling?
Bette: Sure. Im Bette Porter.
Denise: Oh my God. Youre the Bette Porter”director of the California Art Center, are you ok? Please tell me youre ok.
Bette: (startled) Yes”Yes Im the Bette Porter whos the director of the CAC as far as being ok is concerned. Ive been better. Um, why are you asking if Im ok?
Denise: Simone”she hasnt done anything inappropriate has she? She isnt crazy. Lets just say she hasnt been herself since I screwed her over.
Bette: Slow down, what are you talking about Ms Jones? Im calling because Simone is threatening my family and Im trying to ascertain how much of a threat she is.
Denise: Ms Porter”Bette please call me Denise. Bette I guess the best place to start is the beginning. Im a few years older than Simone and Im the only woman shes ever dated. We met at a museum. And well youve seen her”shes absolutely beautiful but more than that shes amazing shes kind, talented, funny, and smart.
Bette: Ms Jones, Denise I dont know if I need the history of your romance with Simone. I really want to know what happened to generate a pending probationary police record for Simone and why you refused to press charges.
Denise: Bette as much as you can destroy someone, I destroyed Simone. I begged her to start a family with me thinking it would help cement us. Besides her family had disowned her when she started dating me. Family has always been very important to Simone and I convinced her that maybe it would be best if we started our own family. She had never really entertained the idea of becoming a mother but in time she warmed up to the idea. She continued to paint and all things baby and art consumed her to the point where I felt unwanted, unneeded, and unnecessary. At least that was the excuse I used when I rationalized my affair.

Bette sat in silence allowing Denise to get through this she felt she would indulge her let her get it all out if it would help her understand if Tina was in any real danger of being hurt by Simone. Bette had heard bits and pieces of Simone recall her last relationship Bette hated hearing about —the infidelity anyway because she knew she had brought Tina that same pain of betrayal. She steeled herself and listened on.

Denise: Simone and I became pregnant and I thought that would be the catalyst I needed to end the affair. Unfortunately, it wasnt. I hated myself for cheating but I couldnt stop. Then she lost the baby when I was off on a supposed business trip when in actuality I was at a bed and breakfast in the wine country with Lara”the other woman and the biggest mistake of my life. She did make me feel wanted and sadly that was all it took. Anyway, I felt awful about not being there and to add insult to injury there were further complications and now Simone wont be able to have children again. Of course the guilt jerked me into reality and the devotion that had abandoned me quickly returned. I never left her side and I saw her retreat so deeply within herself all she did was paint. The paintings were beautifully melancholy and again there was no room for me. I was once again feeling unneeded. This time I didnt allow my ego to get bruised I didnt stray. I rededicated myself to her but it became too much too late. She hated my hovering, her word not mine; and of course Lara was a thing of the past and a woman scorned. She told Simone all about the affair including the trip to the wine country, all unbeknownst to me.

During this time Simone began doing research on the CAC and you specifically she sent her proofs in for consideration to a show you were directing of new artists. Other museums sought her out but she was determined to work with you after seeing your debate with Fay Buckley. You know the one when you cried when she brought up your child being lost?

Bette: Of course I remember that.

Denise: Certainly you do. She looked at me and said, Theres a woman whod never cheat. Who is there to share the pain with her wife. Shes caring and unselfish and you well I know what you are. Thats the night Simone informed me that she knew everything and she beat me mercilessly. Bette I deserved it. I refused to block her blows or to protect myself in any way. In my mind I deserved it and so much more. When the assault was over I had a broken nose, jaw, and a torn cornea. I refused to press charges for obvious reasons. I knew Simone was obsessed with the idea of working with you because the last time we spoke she told me she was going to work with someone with a heart someone who could help her paint again, live again, love again. Shed stopped painting at that point. Bette I knew she wanted to work with you and I guess I even knew she had an unhealthy attachment but I would never dream shed do anything to harm you.

Bette: Did you ever think shed beat the ***** out of you even if provoked? One thing is certain I have to take this threat seriously.

Denise: Bette what do you plan to do?

TBC