Fan Fiction
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Now and Then – 5
Bette’s POV
"Bette."
Her greeting upon answering her mobile phone throws me off guard, the way she says my name is soft, gentle, which she usually reserves for phone calls made at night. No, even at this hour, midafternoon, her voice does not reflect the career woman she claims to be in The City.
Her voice sounds lonely. I long for her even more than usual, wish I could put some happiness into her tone, knowing I alone can do so.
"T," I say softly, cradling the mobile phone against my ear.
We both fall silent, sharing this moment that reinforces our connection, even when we’re not physically together.
"How are you?" I say finally, breaking the silence.
"I’ve been better." She sounds tired, exhausted. Like she’s treading water without getting anywhere.
"I miss you."
There. I said it. Ball’s in your court, T.
"I miss you too, baby." She returns, which again catches me off guard. Usually such sentiments are met with weary sighs or sharp tones, sometimes wry laughter, telling me to knock it off.
I miss you more than you can imagine, T. Just this morning Dana was assuring me the travel’s not as bad as I make it seem, that I really can make the trip to be with you without sacrificing too much time. Our friends tell me if I really wanted to I can go and see you, be with you.
But there are too many reasons not to. I can’t afford to just hop on a plane, spontaneity is sweet, cute, except when the person you want to surprise has directly told you to avoid such surprises. A part of me believes you’ll just smile at me, and we’ll kiss and make up, and you’ll agree to come home with me if I do. Then there’s the other part that still feels guilty about why we’re even apart, and refuses to let me just go and see you.
The reason I don’t have your home address, your decision to keep your life there apart from the life you keep coming back to, keeps me from going to see you.
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strtgirl1 says
tiff, your story is beautiful & so well written.
jjll says
oh this is so painful to read. god it was great….
pandora007 says
wow..why are you sooooooooo mean to my poor baby Bette???..how come sometimes one mistake could change life like that..incredible and happen all the time..so fucking sad…youre amazing
snQQpy says
Then I slowly tear up the ticket in my hand. One way, LA-New York…..Not today.
Damn…this was a tear jerker!
bette_tina_forever says
aww!!! she was finally going to do it!! go bette !! booo tina no not boo tina jsut sad but hopefully itll get better ok well thanx and please post soon thanx byeness<33
Down Low says
Well just break my heart why don’t ya? But you break it so darn well. Great p…a…i…n…f…u…l chapter.
theshadow says
The ending make me sad :(. Poor bette.
cabecou says
Thank you, Tiff. I really appreciate the story. You did great justice to my request regarding the time when Bette was going to fly to NY and didn’t.
ecstasythrumusic says
Painful chapter Tiff but very well written.We need a Now to make us forget.
habitforming says
that made me cry….thanks, post soon pls
Dd1704 says
damn… now i can’t work… wht have u done tiff… ok i need “NOW”.. please..please…
moonshadow says
That was sooooo…gut-wrenchingly sad!Shit, it has put me in a funk! Poor Bette, I wish she would have gone on anyway…I need a “now” NOW! Thanks=D
Skipton says
so well written and just so good. nice- now you’ve gotten me totally in a funk. what’re you gonna do ’bout that? got a comedy lined up next?
lwordid says
Ow…my heart. Exceptionally written but that hurt.
morrison7371 says
Ow….why the kicking in the chest? Fantastically written. Excuse me, I’m going to go curl into the fetal position and cry in the corner now.
Egoiste says
ain’t that some shit. Dayum how hopeful Bette is to have already bought a ticket to just tear it up. What hope, what love…dayum. Your writing is wonderful as always. I hope to see a posting again, soon.
downlow95 says
Wonderful chapter and beautifully done.
Gia Marie says
Ohh, my heart sank. So close, yet so far away. Beautifully written.
CR00 says
TIFFY!!! where the fuck have you been???
I swear I will hunt you down next time. LMAO
Oh what a story we have here, nothing but the best always from you. I was crying just for the loss of money that ticket cost.
greentea says
Tiff,
Will you please start including warnings on chapters that one may not easily recover from? Then, I’ll know that I have to be ready and can send a message to my brain and heart to protect me. I was so not prepared for this. “Not today” echoed throughout my whole body and subsequently knocked me on the floor. I stayed there for awhile…wondering. So well written. Btw, was this a non-refundable ticket? (smile)
Massmom says
Oh you’re a heartbreaker, aren’t you?
Nevermind, you’re also a very good writer and I’m glad I found your stories.
Now, get back to the keyboard. (Please)
vam says
Heartbreaking, but so beautifully written. Dare we hope?
ika says
Thanks for creating two mature characters who don´t speak as two girlies imbued with sentimental novels.
brigbeach6 says
get on the plane, get on the plane!!!
Barrie says
It’s really hard having to deny yourself something that you know is the only thing that you really need. I admire them both…Tina for doing what she needed to do to heal herself; Bette for letting Tina find her way with or without her.
To see them ‘now’ is beautiful. There’s a sureness to them both, in themselve and in each other and quite frankly I think that’s sexy. I mean, to have that uber confidence, if I may, in the one you love is down right fabulous!
AshleyRoth says
ok it is sad but i really liked it because it is full of heart and soul. thanks.
M99 says
Tiff can i put in a request for a Now chapter because I’m a sad little puppy after reading this chapter….so sad.
wo`wo says
it juz tear my heart apart when bette tear the ticket…argh!
bettyvhall says
I believe we all become sad when they are not together. A on way ticket to no place. They both remenbered the baby birthday. Sad. thanks
Nanc says
Not today.
Oh, the pain.
curious says
tiff my throat kinda hurts from holdin back my tears that was so sad..but continue soon plz!!
albeez says
tiff honey. do yu see a reoccuring theme here. youve just killed each and everyone of us tonight. that was sooo painful. please post and now soon please.
kasbre says
tiff very heartwarming and nice story. you write beautifully. it was very sad at the end when bette tore up the ticket.. hope there is some happiness soon
robbeedee says
TD,
What a sad and tragic chapter. I am overwhelmed by the feelings it evoked.
The desperation and desire of Bette to be near Tina was counter balanced by Tina reluctant admittance that she need and wants Bette to be there was heartrending and poignant.
Not many authors have the courage and skill to deftly produce such a sensitive and delicate chapter. You do.
The simplicity of this conversation reveals the inner most selves of both Bette and Tina.
I hope that Someday will be soon.
Thank you as always for your brilliance.
I await your next installment with a feeling of trepidation and wonder. Where will you lead me next?
Your Loyal Fan.