Bette went to the bedroom to change her clothes and then to the bathroom to fix her hair. She knew Tina always liked it when her hair was wavy and it seemed to soften her face somewhat giving her a more relaxed look. After she primped and groomed herself, Bette had less than twenty five minutes to pick up Tina and she didnt want to be late. Historically, that had been a major pet peeve of Tinas and it was something she wanted to improve on. Bette grabbed her keys and purse, then headed out of the door, her stride peppy and confident.

Bette listened to the Maxwell CD on the ride, enjoying the sexiness of his falsetto and the erotic beats of the tracks he sang to.

Man, hes great! Gonna have to check out the rest of his stuff, Bette said to herself as Maxwell serenaded her. Oh, the lyrics! Hes a work of art all by himself, Bette wondered how hed gotten past her.

Bette navigated through the traffic, pulling up in front of Alices building just as Tina opened the door. She was wearing a long, ***** sundress, that fit her just right around her ***** and waist, and trailed off into an A-line down her hips, and it swayed with every graceful strut of her step. Unexpected wanton thoughts engulfed Bettes mind as she stared helplessly at her.

Morning, Tina greeted Bette who was still ogling her. Good timing, Tina got in and closed the door.

Bette snapped back from her thoughts. Yes, good morning, Bette tried to disguise her actions. Look before we go, I just wanted to clear the air about last night, Bette turned to completely face Tina. I didnt mean to slap you and Im Tina cut her off.

Im sorry too! Seems like weve let our ugly sides get the best of us lately. Truce? Tina extended her hand.

Truce! Bette shook it then eased the car into drive and took off.

Tina stared out the window not really knowing what to say. The serenity shed felt earlier was still with her, but the will to speak was eluding her. Bette kept looking over at her and smiling, which made her a little self-conscious, so she focused her attention on the music instead.

Confusing as this is
I hope my kiss can rectify
The lack of part time bliss
A weightlessness inside
Your life, Your life, your life

Tina liked what she heard and bounced her head taking in the lyrics. Bette saw her and turned the volume up.

Hes good huh? Bette looked at Tina.

Yeah, who is it? Not sure Ive heard him before. The lyrics are pretty expressive for a man, Tina half-laughed.

His name is Maxwell. Kit had the CD and let me borrow it, Bette stopped at the light, which gave her an opportunity to stare at Tina again. Thats a really pretty dress. Is it new? Bette touched the fabric.

Actually, its not. You bought it for me last spring when you went to San Francisco, Tina replied realizing the irony of her wearing it.

Danm! Bette said in what was supposed to be a whisper. Guess Im really out of touch huh?

Tina nodded, but didnt speak. She felt a little hurt that Bette had forgotten about it. It made her think of all the things Bette had forgotten about them in their relationship. She managed to crack a little smile to hide her pain.

Oohh waah let’s drown deep in us
Oohh waah make no fight, no fuss
Oohh waah come drown deep in us
In us, in us, in us, in us

Bette fought with her thoughts and sped up a little so they could get to Lucys faster. The air was getting a little thick and she needed to get out and breathe. Almost there.

Tina wasnt paying attention. Instead she was still listening to the lyrics and trying to make sense of what he was saying. There was definitely a message there. Bette rounded the corner with a squeal and pulled into a parking spot and was about to the turn the car off when Tina reached out to stop her.

I wanna hear this song out, Tinas warm hand stirred Bettes yearning and once again, she felt like she knew what had been missing between them.

I’ll wear your liquid kiss
And watch as if inside
Dispel the negative
As if a myth alive
Why should I let you go
How could I let you go
When we be up here all alone
Hula hula baby

Youre the artist Bette, what does it all mean? Tina blurted out, catching Bette off guard.

What do you mean? The lyrics?

Tina nodded, still mystified by what shed heard.

Ill take a wild guess and say that he had a deep and intense relationship that somehow went awry and he wants to make it up to her because he still feels connected to her, Bette shrugged. Why?

Not sure really. It just seems that lately every time I hear a song it reminds me of us in some way, Tina unfastened her seatbelt, cueing Bette that she was ready to get out.

They got out and walked into Lucys both deep in thought. They got a table on the patio facing the ocean and sat down. It was a perfect view of the pacific, with its blue water, sudsy waves, and panoramic horizon. A serene and unobstructed vision of what Bette envisioned for their future. They studied their menus, ordered and stared at the vastness before them. Tina saw herself as the boat stranded out at sea, torn between making it back to shore or being wrecked. Mutually they saw it as the unpredictable ebb and flow of their relationship that had now succumb to dense waves crashing against the shore.

Whatcha thinkin? Tina asked, breaking their silence.

Im not sure I really want to say it, but seeing as you asked I will, Bette replied nervously lowering her head, before raising it again to make eye contact. I still love you Tina, Tina blushed and looked away. Im serious. I know my actions dont give you that impression, but it took damn near, Bette paused, I mean losing you, to realize that I already had everything I went looking for, Bette lowered her head again.

Tina sighed and wrung her hands together. She wasnt sure how to react to what Bette said and leaned back in her seat sighing again. How can you say you love me though knowing that you ***** on and violated everything that was supposed to be sacred? Bette leaned forward, staring deep into Tinas eyes.

I was stupid Tina! Bette said firmly. I let the world come between us. I let my fears get the best of me and I latched on to something that I thought would make me feel alive again. Everyday felt like a cloud was over me and I had so many people to please. I didnt want to fail, but I guess I did anyway, Bette sniffed, refusing to let the tears show.

Bette you didnt fail, Tina reassured her. You stop believing. If you really listened to the song, youll know what Im saying is true, Bette closed her eyes to recall the lyrics. Look, I really dont want to rehash that night. I dont wanna think about you and her together, it hurts too much. But I will say she does care about you. Cares enough to see that she cant be a part of our problem anymore. We have to figure this out Bette. You and Me, no one else, Tinas voice was stern, yet unusually soft.

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their food. Bette dug in immediately, while Tina picked with it still consumed by her thoughts. Bette noticed Tina wasnt eating.

Is something wrong with your food?

No, Im gonna eat it, Tina replied, taking a bite of her omelet. Why did you ask me here today Bette, Tina interrupted Bettes chewing and she put her fork down.

Between last night and this morning, Ive had a few startling revelations. One being that the connection we once shared is in fact still there. I felt it when you knew what I was doing with the radio, the timing of my arrival, your dress, and the lyrics of the songs, Tina was listening intently. The second is that I know what went wrong. We stopped being friends and we stopped liking each other. We just existed, two people sharing the same space, the same friends, and forgetting that we used to do things and have fun. Life interrupted if you will. Real life! Bette picked up her fork and started eating again.

Thats an interesting summation of us Bette, Tina started eating. So, where does that leave us? I mean, I dont trust you anymore. Im not sure how I can after what happened. You kept reaching out to her Bette. Even after the fact. Do you know how cheap that made me feel?

Bette shook her head. She hadnt considered the fallout from everything that had happened between them. Last night was one ***** of an eye opener. Between things that Yolanda and Candace said to me, I saw myself in a very poor light. I need to do something about that Tina and Id like to know if you can help me through it?

Tina turned away. A part of her was angry that Bette was so presumptuous and cavalier in her attitude, while the other side of her, the sympathetic side felt perverse compassion for her. I dont know Bette, Tina forced the words out. I know Im guilty of some of our problems Bette, but never once did having an affair ever cross my mind, and if the tables were turned, I doubt you would be as forgiving or even as understanding as you want me to be, Tina saw Bette swallow hard and noticed her Im-on-the-verge-of-crying-look. You know what?

What? Bette replied softly.

Lets just eat breakfast. Afterward I think you should take me home and you go home and really think about how you would have felt if you were wearing my shoes, then Ill be willing to talk some more with you, Tina picked at her food to avoid Bettes stare.

Fair enough! But Tina, I cant promise you that Im gonna be willing to play the waiting game forever.