TINA & BETTE

Never in Bette’s entire life had she felt such an incredible peace, as she was feeling holding Tina in her arms. Everything she had ever dreamed for herself, for her life was encapsulated in this beautiful woman she was dancing with. Because for Bette, Tina represented all things good and right with the world. Being loved by Tina, made Bette want to be a better person, not for Tina, but because of her. When you are loved by another human being, and allow that love in, it completely frees you. Dancing with her beautiful Tina now, Bette couldn’t believe how lost she had become the last year of their relationship. She had to hang on to the belief that everything happens for a reason, because to think any other way, would mean that all the unspeakable pain she had caused Tina was for nothing…for no greater purpose. Bette could not and would not even contemplate that thought.

The music started to fade away, their dance coming to an end. Bette lifted her face from where it had been resting on the side of Tina’s face, looking into her eyes, trying to communicate everything she felt, all in one look. She reached up and placed her hand gently where her face had just been, not breaking her contact with Tina’s eyes. And, despite hearing the words, “just a friend” over and over in her head, she leaned down and with the utmost care, placed her lips on the lips of her soul mate.
Tina’s head and heart were spinning. Never in her life, not even during their commitment ceremony, had she felt so much love coming from Bette. When she heard the music end, she wanted to tell everyone that they might as well turn on the lights and go home, because the only dance that mattered was now over. There was no reason for anyone to stay. The moment that she wanted to happened…had…and it was everything she hoped for. God…Bette’s lips were on her lips…her tongue on her…

Somewhere in Bette’s conscienceness, there was a nagging…knock, knock, knock…let her go…she needs you to be there for her, but not like this…not now. She slowly lifted her head and gazed back into Tina’s beautiful brown eyes. In those eyes she saw the love, the passion she so wanted to see…knock, knock, knock…let her go…not like this…not now. Smiling she whispered, “Thank you Tina. Thank you for all that you are. Thank you for this beautiful dance. Come on baby, let’s go sit down.”

Tina couldn’t believe all the feelings that were whirling around her. She was so overwhelmed with love for Bette, all she could think about was being naked with this woman, in their bed, in their home. “Bette, take me home, please”

Bette looked at Tina, confused. “You want me to drive you back to Alice’s?”

“No baby, I want you to take me to our home. I want to feel your body next to mine. After all this time apart, I want you to feel what it feels like to be inside me again…I want you to taste me again…please baby, I want you to take me…again and again.

Bette was melting…with love…with desire. If she had any feeling left in her legs, she would have picked Tina up and carried her home. But, everything does happen for a reason, because in the moments it took her to get feeling back in her legs, she knew she couldn’t carry, or drive for that matter, Tina back to their home. Bette looked at Tina with tears in her eyes. “T, you need to know that I want to grant your request so much, it hurts…but I can’t.”

“Why would that be, Bette?” The question was asked with uncertainty, and because she couldn’t help it, a touch of coolness.

“Because baby, I don’t want to be just your friend. I want to be your wife, your life partner. But, in order to be those things, I have to be your friend first, and as your friend, I can’t make love with you.”

Tina looked down at her lap, knowing Bette was not only right, but that she had just taken a huge step in showing Tina that she did love her and wanted what was right for them both.

“Remember T, friends don’t sleep with friends.” God…who came up with that ***** rule!!???

Tina reached out and hugged Bette, whispering, “Thank you Bette. Thank you for being my friend.”

At this moment Bette was really contemplating trading her conscience in for a new one…one that would allow her to throw Tina over her shoulder and take her home, so she could devour her all night long. She took a deep breath…oh well…hey, I have a thought! (Oh God are we in trouble. Last time Bette had a thought, they almost had a threesome with that male artist! Eeewww!!)
Bette smiled at Tina and said, “Well…I mean…ah…well…friends don’t sleep with friends, but they can if they give proper notice of the change in the relationship!”

This got Tina’s attention. She sat up straight and tilted her head. “Oh yea? How much notice?”

Bette grinned, liking her idea more and more. “Sixty days…and it has to be in writing.”

“Sixty days! Are you kidding, that’s two months!” Then it dawned on Tina what Bette was saying. She thought about it, and looked into the eyes of the woman she couldn’t help but love. “Ok, I need a pen and paper.”

Bette jumped up, ran to the bar and was back with said pen and paper, all in about 15 seconds. She handed the items to Tina and then watched anxiously, trying to see what Tina was writing. When she was finished, Tina handed the paper back to Bette, kissed her quickly on the cheek and said, “Consider this my sixty day notice.” She turned around to Alice and Dana. “Are you guys ready? My plane leaves pretty early tomorrow.”

Bette reached out to Tina.” T, may I drive you to the airport?”

“Actually, Alice and Dana wanted to go. Do you want to come with us?”

Bette smiled. “Yes, I’d like that very much.”

“Great, see you at Alice’s at 8:00 then.” Tina leaned in and hugged Bette close. “Thanks for tonight Bette. I had a wonderful time. I’m going to Alice’s to take a very long, cold shower, but I had a wonderful time.”

The friends all walked out of the bar together, and as Bette got into her car, she opened up the piece of paper Tina had given her. It read:

July 14, 2004

Please consider this to be my written notice that sixty days from today I will forfeit my platonic relationship with Bette Porter, and replace it with a sexual relationship.
However, if at the end of said sixty days, either party wants to cancel this notice, they may do so at their sole discretion. (Although, I highly doubt that’s going to happen…right baby?!!)

Signed:

Tina Kennard