Bette responds to Candace’s concerns. “I can’t tell you not to be scared, but I will do everything in my power not to hurt you.”

The tears Candace had running down her face were gone. Looking up at Bette, she said. “I’m not concerned about me.”

Bette had a very apprehensive look on her face, but did not address statement Candace made. “Why don’t you get yourself together, I’ll do the dishes and we’ll go by your Grandmother’s house. By the way, why does she eat so late?”

“It’s tomorrows dinner. I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.”

Bette waited until Candace was upstairs and dialed her cell. “Hey, where are you guys going tonight?” She listens and then replies. “Is Tina joining you?”

There is a hesitation, but eventually Alice answers the question. “Uh. She… Uh… Damn Bette. It’s been almost a year. She has a date tonight.”

Despite being shocked and jealous, Bette attempts to take the news in stride. “Oh. Okay. She takes a deep breath and continues. Candace and I are going to join you and it’s only been seven months.”

Alice rolls her eyes. “Right, seven months. We’re meeting at 10. See you and your new girlfriend then.”

“Play nice. Remember, it took you awhile to warm-up to Tina. Just give her a chance. I think you’ll like her.”

“It’s only fair and you know I’m a ‘fair’ kind-of gal.” Alice just laughs.

Bette joins in on the laughter. “Bye. Ms. Smart-*****.”

“What is so funny?” Candace comes down the stairs wearing nothing special, just a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. But the t-shirt complements her triceps, biceps, shoulders and a hint that the shirt is covering some very nice abs.

Bette does not answer. She just stares. Then tilts her head, licks her lips and looks Candace from head-to-toe. “Come here!” Bette orders.

“Not yet. But if you behave, your eyes will be rolling into the back of you head a few times tonight.” Candace smiles, walks over and gives Bette a kiss. This kiss did not only wet her insatiable appetite for Candace, but.. well you know..

In an attempt to get some air, Bette walks to the door. “Let’s go before things get much hotter than this.”

Candace and Bette are leaving Nana’s house. Bette, I’m not going to ask where you are taking me. I am just going to let it flow.”

“Well, I thought about what you said and you were right. We should spend more time with Al, Dana and Shane. We are going to catch-up with them and have a few drinks.”

“Okay.” Candace begins to look out the window. She knows that Bette does not understand how she is feeling. It was sweet that Bette conceded, but was it because she ranted about it or because of Candaces comment of being taken for granted. She starts to get deeper and deeper in thought. She found that her lover was her confidante. Her fear develops when that lover is no longer the one she tells all her secrets.

“Hello?!?!.” Bette attempts to get the attention of her passenger.

Still in a daze. “Did you say something?”

Bette looks from the road to Candace, then back to the road again. “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.” She does not feel comfortable talking to Bette, nor does she want to.

“Okay.” Bette is not receptive to the lack of candor.


They reach the bar. Bette enters first, sees the girls and reintroduces everyone. The tension and awkwardness consumes the table. Dana looks over to Candace. “So you build new houses?”

With a huge smile on her face, Candace replies. “No, there is not much money for me in new construction. Most of my work is in remodeling.”

“Cool” Shane chimes in. “I’m looking at this dump. I’m thinking of opening a hair salon. Do you think you can go by there with me to see what you think?”

“Sure. I’ll be glad to.”

The women sat drank, chatted and got comfortable.

“Excuse me ladies. I have to make a pit stop.” Candace gets up from the table and heads to the lady’s room.

“Bette, you were right. She is kinda cool….” Before Alice finishes her sentence, she looks up to see Tina coming in the door. “Oh, *****!!!”

Everyone looks up and is immediately on guard. Tina is wearing a very tight black dress, which allows eyes to explore her cleavage and other assets. Bette’s heart drops to her throat and her palms begin to sweat. “Hey, T.”

“Hello. Where’s your *****?”

No one at the table says a word or moves a muscle. Their eyes just travel from Tina to Bette, back to Tina.

Bette stands-up. “None of that was necessary. Goodnight all.” She realizes that she has to head-off Candace before she gets back from the rest room.

Candace is in the lady’s room looking in the mirror when an old friend comes in. “Kim!!! How have you been?” Candace reaches out and gives her a hug.

“Damn girr… you still look GOOD!!” Kim just looks at Candace and smiles.

“Ditto, but I’m glad we didn’t go down that road. We are definitely better off as friends.”

“I guess.”

Bette rushes through the door. “Are you ready?”

Both ladies just look at Bette. “Hello.” Kim begins to reach out to shake Bette’s hand, but she never had a chance to extend her arm.

“Hello.” Bette asked again. “Are you ready?”

Candace is still staring at Bette in shock. “Kim this is Bette. Bette this is an old friend of mine Kim.”

They shook hands. “Ready?” Bette repeated.

“Fine. Let’s go.” Candace reaches and gives Kim a hug. “We have to do better about keeping in touch.”

“Yeah. I’ll call you before the end of the week.”

Bette and Candace leave the ladys room. “That was so *****’ rude!!!” What the ***** is your problem?” Candace stops at the door and waits for an answer.

“Sorry… Damn…. I’m sorry. It was rude. Tina came in and just got to me.” She looks to the ground and shakes her head. “When did I no longer become your girlfriend?”

“Uh?”

“Kim is an old friend and I’m just Bette?”

“Give it a break and give me a break. Are you always going to run from Tina? I knew you were not ready for this.”

While Bette and Candace are standing in the door, Alice tries to distract Tina. “I thought you were going out with Kim tonight?”

“She is parking the car. I don’t know what is taking her so long.” As soon as she said that, she turns to look for her, but instead sees Candace and Bette at the door. Then she sees Kim waive to Candace and Bette. “What the *****?……….”



–rdp
9/23/04