The Roommates – Fast Forward to 2019: Chapter 27

Bette sat in a chair in her backyard that night, watching the light from the bottom of her pool reflect through the aqua-colored water. All the other lights were out, and she was wrapped in a warm blanket. Her eyes were tired, but her mind was racing. She thought back to the conversation she’d had with Alice. She had to work to stop gritting her teeth before she popped her earbuds in and dialed Tina.

“You’re still up?” asked Tina.

“How do you feel about drugs?” asked Bette.

“How do I what? Asked Tina.

“Drugs. How do you feel about them?”

“What’s wrong? Are you – – – are you using again? What can I do for you? How can I help?” asked Tina.

Bette shook her head. “No. I’m not using anything. I’m clean, Tina. We um….we never talked about this.”

Tina didn’t understand the nature of the question. In her mind, this conversation must have something to do with Bette and Bette’s past. “I know you’ve had struggles. I don’t judge you, Bette. I won’t judge you.”

Bette sighed. Tina’s first reaction was to comfort her. To soothe whatever might be ailing Bette. That struck a chord with the brunette. She tried to fight against the pull of warmth in her belly at her lover’s care and concern.

“Why do you love me, Tina?” asked Bette.

Tina sighed and thought for a moment. She answered, her voice soft and tender. “I just do. Something about you just….”

“Just what?”

“Bette, you are so loving and sweet. There’s something about you that just fills me up.”

Bette replied, “Sexually?”

“No, no that’s not what I mean.”

“So what do you mean?”

Tina thought again. “You know that story about the marbles and the sand?”

“What?”

“Okay. Imagine you have a glass jar. Like a mason jar.”

“Okay, I have a mason jar.”

“And you fill that jar up with marbles.”

“Yes.”

“Now, do you think there’s any room left in the jar?”

Bette frowned. “How could there be any room? It’s filled up with marbles, right?”