Bette was on the phone, leaning on her chair, backing her office door, her legs on the small table on the wall, her free hand, well you can imagine where it was She was returning Tinas message and enjoying every second of it.
So lost she was in the conversation and its results that she didnt hear Alice in the hall talking with James.

Porter we need to talk!

Alice said entering the office, not even knocking on the door. She stood in the middle of the room, waiting for Bette to turn her chair to face her. When she finally did she was blushing with the most annoyed look on her face.

Alice, always the expert, didnt need many clues to know what was going on. Bette, still surprised with Alice interruption, didnt return her free hand to a more appropriate place, forgetting about it.

Are you veeery happy to see me or is it Tina on the phone?

Alice teasing voice was trying to hide her giggles, looking Bette in the eyes. Bette throwing Alice killer looks put her free hand back on the table and then, quickly, hid it on her lap.

Tee, Ive to go, Al is here (sighing, getting her breath back)yeah I know Yeah, next time Ill lock the door

Ignoring Bettes killer looks Alice gestured two thumps up to her while mouthing next time?

Tee yeah sure love you

As Bette was hanging up The love boat theme song started playing.

How appropriate! Alice said, smiling, reaching for her cell in her purse.

Bette was composing herself, looking at Alice and then as she was taking her time on the phone, Bette stood up and left the office indicating Alice that she will be back in a sec.


Shane was at home, setting the table for dinner, waiting for Bette and Tina to show up. She was looking around, looking for the napkins when she heard a car pulling over.
She looked through the window seeing Bettes car.
As she was looking back at the table she finally saw the napkins on the fridge. Taking them she moved to finish her task at hand, then, taking her beer, she moved to the couch, wondering about what was taking Bette so long.

Sitting down with her feet on the coffee table Shane noticed the frame key hanging on the wall. It surprised her as this was the first time she noticed it. She wondered what was all that about as she was sure that it was new, she didnt remember seeing it before.

Bette finally entered finding Shane with a lost look on her face, looking at the wall. It made her smile to think that Shane was a master in that.

Shane
Bette was walking towards the bedroom, not waiting for Shanes answer.

Hey, let me ask you something
Shane said, following Bette, waiting at the door of the bedroom, waiting for her to change her clothes.

Whats with the tiny frame key in the living room?
Shane asked, caressing the doors frame, enjoying the soft shape of the wood, waiting for Bette to answer.

Bette emerged from the bedroom with comfy clothes and wearing the biggest smile on her face.

What? Shane asked, following her again walking to the kitchen, smiling again when she noticed the table set.

Its a gift Bette said, opening a bottle of white wine.

“Really?” Shane could not imagine what kind of gift that could be.

Yeah, my most precious, probably

Still with the biggest smile on her face, Bette after pouring a glass of cold water for her, walked to the couch, and looking at the key, sat down.

Shane, once again, followed Bette taking a seat at her side, waiting for her to talk not wanting to intrude but dying to know what was all that about.

It took Bette a few minutes to start talking, she was enjoying the memory, tasting the joy and the sweetness of it.

Its a gift from Tina Bette said, looking at Shane for a few seconds before returning her glance to the wall.

You know when we broke up, all that time we spent away (Shane nodded, remembering, bittersweet memories for her) we were not talking with each other but, I wrote emails to her almost everyday,needed to talk with her somehow,… she wasnt ready to talk with me but I needed to talk with her, needed to try to know what happened, needed to find out why I did what I did and needed to try to explain it all to her (Bette took a few seconds to compose herself, even now, thinking about those hard times put a knot on her stomach) well, I wrote to her, not even knowing if she was reading what I was telling her but then, one day, she wrote me back (Shane nodded, noticing a single tear running down Bettes cheek)… she wrote me the most desolator, honest and beautiful email ever. Among other things (Bette added sighing, putting a lock of hair behind her ear)… she told me that she needed her heart back, the one she gave me seven years ago, the one I broke. She needed time to decide if she wanted to give it back to me…”

Shane was looking at the key, loving the story but still not sure what the key had to do with it.

the weekend at Junes, that night, after making love when we woke up, she gave me a small box beautifully wrapped. She had it there, brought it from LA, she knew even before I did, she knew it “


Bette was lost again, thinking about how much it moved her that Tina prepared all that, that Tina knew, hoped that during that weekend they were going to talk and finally make things up Bette asked Tina later, on the car on their ride back home how could she known. Tina looked at Bette smiling and caressing her bare arm said; because I was full of hope, and love and and because I know you Bette, sometimes you forget how well I know you.Shane had to cough a little to bring Bette back to reality


Anyway when I opened it, there it was, that tiny antique beautiful old key. I loved it, but loved it even more when I read the card Tina had written to me wait, Ill show you..

Bette stood up and walking to the wall took the frame key and handed to Shane. On the back of it, framed too was a note that said,

Baby, I gave you my heart seven years ago. The time we spent together made it bigger and happier. It was yours, but then when I needed it back you returned it to me. Its all mine now, healed and strong, full of love and again, I give it back to you. Its yours now. Here is the key to my heart, keep it, save it, look after it its the only one and is all yours. Tina

As Shane was reading the card Bette was voicing it, knowing the words by memory.

Shane put the frame back to its place and while doing it, not wanting Bette to notice she removed some tears from her eyes.

You are very lucky, you know. Shane said looking back at Bette .

I know Shane, I know Bettes smile was bigger than her face and as she was going to continue talking, they both heard voices coming from the outside.

Here she is Bette said, her face brightening just listening to Tinas voice. Standing up to walk to the door she whispered to Shane,

Shhh, not a word to Tina about all this Bette said, winking playfully at Shane, rushing to open the door to Tina.