Each sipped their wine, returning the glass to the table.

Tell me about your day, babe

Well, kinda boring stuff. Im pretty sure though that we will make the deadline for the opening of the gallery.

And, when is that?

In about 5 weeks.

Hmm said Tina as she picked at the salad in front of her.

Bette just watched her, knowing that she was miles away and had heard nothing that she had said.

And then, when I was in LA today, I went into The Planet and grabbed some coffee

Oh yeah? was Tinas only reply as she continued to move the lettuce around in her salad bowl.

T?

Tina?

What? she said, while jerking her head up towards Bette.

Uh well, I just told you that I went to The Planet today for coffee and all you said was, oh yeah?. Wanna tell me whats on your mind?

Im sorry Bette.

Its ok said Bette as she slid over towards Tina. When she got there, she put an arm around her waist and pulled her head down on to her shoulder.

Whats on your mind T?

Tina straightened up, took a deep breath, and while looking directly at Bette said, Do you miss me, Bette?

Bette slightly pulled back from her and jokingly said, Miss you Tina? Youre right here!

There was no smile on Tinas lips as she seriously said, I mean it Bette. Do you miss me?

Bette studied her for a moment to try and determine what was really meant by this clearly loaded question.

Im sorry, T. I feel a bit obtuse. I desperately missed you while we were apart, but you are here now– and here to stay I hope she quickly added.

Tina stood up from the sofa and went over to the same window that Bette had looked through days ago.

Physicallymiss memy body she softly said, while continuing her study of the streets of New York.

Bette did not say anything at first, trying to get her thoughts together.

Tina, I miss you terribly in that way. My body has ached and yearned for you all of these months, even beforewellbefore she trailed off.

Tina angrily turned from the window to face Bette with her arms crossed in front of her.

Can you not even say her ***** name Bette? Or is it that you can only get it out in the throws of passion?

Bette just looked at Tina, not having expected this so soon. She took a deep breath and said softly, Where are you going with this Tina?

Thats a good question Tina thought to herself. She had not expected this turn in the conversation. She herself did not know where it was coming from. She went from being extremely happy to seeing Bette when she got home to agitated and nervous to this current state of being absolutely enraged.

***** she muttered not just to herself, lowering her head and massaging her temples.

Bette stood up and walked over to Tina, allowing a short distance to remain between the two of them. Tina had resumed her viewing of the world outside and Bette just waited to hear what was coming next, afraid to touch her and yet, afraid to pull back too far.

Do you have any idea the effect it has on me to know that I am not the last person to have slept with you, to have made love to you, tasted youbeen inside of you? she softly asked, eyes never turning from the window.

Tina was all she could get out.

It haunts both my waking and sleeping moments to know that some other woman has seen you come, has seen you arch your back and scream out in pleasure, not from my touch mind you, but from hers she continued, totally lost in thought, almost forgetting that Bette was there in the room with her.

I, Tina, please she whispered.

Was it good Bette? she asked, still not turning towards her.

Tina she pleaded. Please dont make us do this right now. Were not ready implored Bette.

Who the ***** are you to tell me if Im ready or not? Tina angrily demanded while turning towards Bette. Who the ***** do you think you are trying to dictate the timeline of the responses to these questions? God damnit, Bette Porter she furiously hissed, raising a shaking finger and pointing it in her direction, You will by God answer these questions, do you hear me? she almost shouted.

Bette lowered her head and took a deep breath.

I dont know she said in a fashion admitting defeat.

Tina looked at her incredulously and said, You dont know? You dont know? What the ***** does that mean? Thats the best you have to offer? After all of this time, thats all you can give me? she said, her voice approaching a fevered pitch.

Tina, please said Bette, holding up her hands, almost in self-defense, if we are to continue, please, you have got to give me a chance to respond. If you are too upset right now, I totally understand. We can stop for the night and try this again some other time, but this is absolutely not productive.

Tina listened to what Bette had to say and said, I think that I need some fresh air.

Tina, look… but the expression on Tinas face stopped her cold.

Ok whispered Bette, seeing that Tina was not changing her mind. You know what? Why dont I leave for a while? You stay here and do what you need to do and I will just give you some space.

No, Bette. I said that I need some fresh air. I am going for a walk to clear my head. Ill be back in a while.

Tina walked out of the living room and towards the front door with never a glance in Bettes direction. Bette heard her grab a jacket and her keys and then, the closing of the door behind her. She knew it was pointless to go after her as she had made it clear that she couldnt stand to even be in the same room with her.

She fell down to the sofa, her head falling against the back of it and said out loud, What the ***** was that? She felt out of breath, as if she had just run a marathon. Her heart was beating to a rhythm that she had not set. You can not seriously tell me that this is what these conversations are going to be like? Jesus, I would actually prefer therapy to this.

She just sat there, trying to process what had just happened. Here she thought that things were going relatively well between the two of them, and then this land mine. Where did it come from? she asked herself. She knew that Candace would have to be discussed, but not like this. She had never seen anger on Tinas face like that before, well she paused, that was not entirely true. Not since that night she remembered.

All of the anger that she had seen since that night had been more of an outwardly show of emotion, but almost more passive aggressive in nature.

*****! What do I know? she angrily asked herself.

She looked at the barely touched plates in front of her and wearily leaned forward to stand up. With her hands on her knees, she pushed herself up and picked up the plates to take to the kitchen. She put all of the food back in the containers that it had just been taken from and placed them in the refrigerator.

After putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, she returned to the living room to the sofa, and more importantly at this point, to her wine.

God, I feel so out of my league she said out loud, obviously no response being elicited from the otherwise empty apartment.



Tina, meanwhile, had barely made it to the elevators when she burst into tears. Her body was racked with sobs and the shaking of her body made it almost impossible to put her jacket on.

When the elevator finally arrived, she looked at the empty car in front of her and thought, What are you doing Tina? Is this what you want? To run away? You told her that the two of you were through running. You are not exactly upholding your end of the bargain her mind reminded her.

Well, neither did she she angrily said to no one in particular, her words echoing hollowly in the empty hallway as tears continued to stream down her face.

She saw the doors to the elevator begin to close in front of her and made no effort to stop them. She instead sat down in the hallway, back leaning against the wall, knees pulled up to her chest, put her face in her hands and cried.

Bette she whimpered through her tears.

She did not know how long she sat there, but once she was fairly confidant the she had composed herself, pushed her exhausted body up, using the wall as a support.

She looked at the button to call the elevator, giving her access to the outside world, but shook her head and just said, No.

She turned back towards their apartment. The hallway had never seemed so long, and slowly, but surely, made her way back home, her home which was Bette.