Bette quietly left Tina on the couch, covering her with a blanket, blowing out the candles. As Tina slept, Bette resisted the urge to stay and hold her through the night. It had been a long evening that started simply with dinner on the floor and kisses shared. Bette had let Tina set the pace for the night, patiently taking in each second. And now, Bette stood at the door, holding this memory, taking in the scattered photos on the floor, empty wine bottle, glasses drained next to a plate of pink heart cookies, and Tina holding it all together in the middle, an angel in her own way.

As Bette left, she replayed the evening over and over again in her mind, wondering where this all came from. She was out of her element with Tina, doing things against the grain, so out of the ordinary. Though not traditional in her sexual preference, she did follow a traditional trend in dating. Most consisted of dinner and drinks followed by spending the night at one or the others. Going through the motions, fulfilling her sexual needs, and maintaining a mysterious and hard reputation, she lived in a world without true intimacy.

And now, this beautiful woman had captured her heart without Bette even fully knowing it. The world didnt look as black and white, and slowing down didnt mean a loss of control but a gaining of insight. Bette was falling in love with Tina and her innocence. She loved eating dinner on the floor, eating frosted cookies, looking at old pictures, and walking out the door knowing she hadnt given herself away to prove herself.

Bette awoke to her phone ringing at 7:00am. Looking at the clock, she groaned and pulled herself out of bed, searching for her cell phone in the living room.

Porter, where are you?

Alice?

Of course its Alice. Noticing Bettes grogginess, she said, Please dont tell me youre still in bed.

Actually, Im out of bed now thanks to you.

Did you forget we are supposed to be getting coffee together this morning?

*****, I forgot. Im sorry, Al. I had a long night.

I bet you did. Just promise me we can still have our weekly coffee meeting and Tina wont always make you sleep in.

Its not what you think.

Ive heard that before.

No, seriously, Al, we just had dinner.

Bette made the bed while she talked and pulled an outfit out of the closet.

Dinner? And…

And we looked at old pictures of her snuggling on the couch drinking wine and eating sugar cookies. Bette smiled at the thought of the evening.

Sugar cookies? I just bet they were heart shaped. Im going to gag. I bet you have that silly grin on your face again. This is all just so… cute. And Bette, I never thought Id put your name and cute in the same sentence.

I dont know if I should say thanks or want to hang up on you.

Well, dont hang up yet, I want more details!

Not now, I have to get ready for work. Meet me for lunch.

Ok, be ready to chat.

With you? I wouldnt dare keep quiet. Bette hung up the phone and jumped in the shower.



Alice arrived promptly at noon to Bettes gallery, ready to hear all about the night before.

Ok, I brought the food here so we wouldnt be distracted at a restaurant. Alice took two big salads out of a brown paper bag.

Looks great.

Dig in. They both started eating and Alice watched Bette. You are glowing, Bette. I love it. When can I hang out with Tina? Im dying to get to know the woman who stole Bette Porters heart.

Alice, we just started seeing each other. I dont know if Id even call it dating.

Trust me, youre dating. It just looks different for you because youre not the one in complete control.

I am not a control freak.

Ok, youre not. Alice gave Bette the tone of sarcasm. Howd it go last night? Did you kiss?

Yes, we kissed. I just love spending time with her.

Obviously. Im glad you met her.

Me too.

Cuz I dont think it was luck that brought you two together. It was meant to be.



Tina crawled off the couch, folding the blanket and picking up the pictures all over the floor. Smiling, she put the cookies in a tupperware and wondered if Bette had as good a time as she did. She loved the simple things with Bette like cookies and candles and picnics in the living room. Fear also tugged at her heart, though. She didnt want Bette to be bored with her or how she lived.

Mandy was having lunch with Tina at a little cafe near her work.

So, hows the thesis coming along?

Well… not as well as I had hoped actually.

No? Maybe you need a little retreat. Mandy took a drink of her iced tea and folded her menu.

Like go away for a while?

Why not? Its not like youre tied down at work and if you cant concentrate here, then its better to get away.

Tina thought for a moment, debating in her mind what to do when the waitress came to take their orders.

Id hate to go away now, though.

Whys that? It wouldnt be because of Bette Porter, would it? Mandy raised her eyebrows and smirked.

We had dinner last night. Did I tell you? Tina avoided Mandys eager gaze.

No you didnt tell me! How was it?

It was… wonderful. Really. I made dinner and we ate on the floor. For dessert I made pink heart cookies.

Heart cookies?

I know it sounds silly, but it was perfect. Mandy, I kissed her… again and again. And we snuggled on the couch together looking at some of my old pictures.

I cant believe it.

What?

Youre falling in love with this woman, arent you? And fast.

I wouldnt say that.

What would you say then?

Id say… Id say Im taking one step at a time and enjoying every minute with Bette.

They both smiled and began eating. Tina listened to Mandy talk about the benefits of taking some time away to get her work done and she strongly considered it, given the urgency of the situation.

Hey, Mandy, do you remember Adison?

Your old room mate?

Yes.

Of course I remember her. We all used to hang out all the time. Why?

I saw an old picture of her and was wondering how shes doing. Do you still keep in touch with her?

Actually, I got a letter from her about a year ago.

Can I have her contact information?