Its about four oclock in the afternoon and its snowing outside. The sound of cars passing by Homer street is somewhat muted by the easy listening music on the background. Bette works part-time at SOHO Caf and Billiards and shes on her afternoon shift. She is on her half an hour break and she is sitting at the table by the window as she loves to watch people. Sometimes when the caf is quiet, sometimes she plays a game or two on her own, practicing her shots. Shes not much of an audience person when shes practicing – those times are her private times. Today, accompanied with the caramel latte, her Moleskine plain notebook and her waterman fountain pen, she tugged the thin ribbon that marks her journal and began writing her journal entry for the day. Looking out the window while sipping her latte, she plays back her memory to the events that took place earlier today.

Wednesday, January 5, 2005
I was introduced to Tina today. She has a tango with Eric there but where they stand in their relationship, I am not so sure. Well, she definitely manages to become my thoughts for the day. She has such a warm and friendly smile. Ive seen such smiles before, this one is different. What makes it different from the other smiles? Ah yes, this one seems so sincere, so genuine. Her eyes smile when she smiles. Her eyes penetrates me and intrigued me, I could gaze into it forever. It feels that if I hold that gaze long enough, even without words, weve sparked up a silent conversation. For once, words to hook her did not come to me at an instant. I was caught off guard. I like watching her, I hope she doesnt mind.

She glance her watch on her left wrist and realized that her half an hour break just ended. She took the last sip of her latte and gathered her things. She walked back to the back of the counter and opened a cabinet where she stashed her bag while doing her shift. She tucked her journal and her pen in her bag and resumed her shift.

She was walking back with beer bottles in her left hand and wet rag on her right hand when she spotted Kit standing by the counter.

Hey Kit, whats up? Bette greets her as she walks around the counter to put the empty beer bottles on the crate.

Hey baby sis. I was just finished meeting a client that wants me to pull together an event. Hey, I came by to let you know that Im having a gig at Balthazar this Friday night. Can you come?

Thats great. What time? Bette inquired as she chucked the rag into the sink and started to wash her hands.

Around eight. You could bring Alice and bring anyone else you want.

Sure Ill be there. Bette replied.

Hey, what time are you getting off?

Bette glance her watch and its five to six. Actually, right about now.

Cool, do you have anywhere else to be today?

No, not really, why?

Okay, Im heading out your way so I can give you a lift home.

Thanks.

Kit and Bette head out to Kits car thats park a few buildings down the street. Bette took out her cell phone and checked if she had missed any calls. Apparently she missed two calls – one from Erica, the girl that shes sort of dating and another one from her co-worker at Vancouver Art Gallery. She and Erica went out only on a couple of dates, other than that, they mainly just spent nights at Ericas unleashing their needs and desires. Yet, she knew from the start that shes just a fling, theres nothing more that could come out of it. She decided to call them back later when she gets home.

Five minutes later, her cell phone rings. She saw the caller ID and it says Alice.

Hello Alice

Hey, Kit called me earlier today and she said shes having a gig on Friday night, are you coming out or do you have plans with that chick that youre sort of seeing?

Yeah, she told me. Yeah Im coming out. Im with her right now. Shes giving me a ride home.

Oh okay. Well, while youre on your way home, do you mind picking up a take out that I ordered at that Szechuan restaurant close by Broadway station that we went to last week? Im too busy to cook right now.

Yes Alice, I do mind. Bette teases.

Okay, cool. Ill see you in a bit. Alice hung up.

Bette asked Kit to take a little detour to the restaurant and gave her directions. They dropped by the restaurant and picked up the food that Alice had order then dropped Bette off. She couldnt stick around because she had to go home and planned out her upcoming event.

Bette walked into the house and dropped the food on the dining table then proceeds to her bedroom to put her things and change into her charcoal grey yoga pants and white wife beater. Five minutes later her cell rings.

Hey *****

Hey Bette replied unenthusiastically

I miss you when can I see you again? How about this Friday?

Taking Alice to Kits gigs and hang out around her is different. With her flings, she doesnt make it too personal. Most of the time Bette goes to Ericas house and even after three months, Erica had only been once to Bettes house but she never been into the house. One time Bette forgot something, so on the way to Ericas house, they dropped by Bettes and she left Erica in the car to get it.

Umm. I cant. My boss wanted me to work. Bette lied.

Oooh poor you. And Bette just rolled her eyes, wishing that this conversation would end soon. After meeting Tina today, she felt something there and if she wants to pursue it, being with someone else is not a good idea.

Yeah, well, I need to go, I have things to do.

Okay. But when can I see you again?

I dont know. Ill give you a call sometime this weekend. Bette quickly said hoping to end the conversation.

Okay. Talk to you soon. Erica said in her low whispery voice.

Okay.

Alice met Bette at a mutual friends party and after they begun dating for a while, they decided to move in together and that is partly due to financial decisions as well. Living alone in Vancouver unless one has a family support or a decent job can be quite costly. After dating a while and living under the same roof, they decided that they are better off as best friends than lovers. ***** was great, they enjoyed each other but both knew that it wasnt for the long haul.

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SOHO Cafe & Billiards: http://www.sohocafe.ca
Moleskine notebook: http://www.moleskine.co.uk/notebook.html
Waterman Serenite: http://www.waterman.com/sanford/consumer/waterman/collection/collectionDetail.jhtml?attributeId=WATERATT1000013&currentType=WATATT10001
Vancouver Art Gallery: http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca