Things happen that you cannot control, it is what we do with them that shape our lives. Chance after chance is only what we make of them, both women were firm believers of this. Maybe it was because she was distraught over the loss of her friend, maybe it was to escape the reality of it, or just to pass the time between and have some easy company… wait make that very attractive company. Either way Bette felt no hesitation with breaking away a bit with Tina, so that is what she did.
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Tina felt the heat rise to her face as she took Bettes hand to get up. Her legs felt somewhat wobbly, but she blamed it on sitting for so long, but she wasnt sitting that much she…

They have a walkway which leads back to gardens and a small swing. Bette pointed out, if Tina stumbled a bit, hopefully she didnt notice. Tina slowly pulled her hand away as she looked around, taking in its beauty. Bette spoke with such conviction and passion, the way she described things made Tina look at them from a completely different perspective. You are quite good at this you know, you could make the dullest thing interesting. Oh my God what was she saying, she had said a mere four or five sentences to the woman and none of them showcased too much for Tina.

Bette laughed at the comment, Well I certainly hope I can do this, I dont think I would have gotten very far with the gallery if I hadnt. Thanks by the way, it is nice to know that I moved you in some way. Moved you, Jesus Porter, the only moving I am thinking of is maybe toward her hand again. Damnit why am I thinking this, not the time or place for this.

Gallery huh, I thought you name sounded familiar, now I know just where to place you. The Bette Porter Gallery, right my boyfriend Eric; he bought a piece from one of your shows awhile back. He told me for about a week how beautiful and enchanting you were, I must admit I was a bit jealous. Tina smiled warmly as she looked ahead of her to find Bette with a semi puzzled look.

Bette bit her bottom lip at that, she remembered him he was very anxious to get a hold of his artwork, a very nice guy and was concerned with every step of his purchase. She shook her head free of him, free of the two of them together, what did it matter anyway, there were more important things in the upcoming days.

They made it back toward the swing and Tina gently rolled the ropes between her fingers. Bette looked at her as if she were just a child begging to be pushed…pushed into what she wasnt yet certain. If there was one thing, above all others Bette was sure of, it was her sense of self. She knew that if she wanted something enough, she could get it.
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Tina sat down on the wooden seat and her body began to sway slowly. She felt Bette come up behind her and gently push, Tina rocked forward a bit and leaned into the next push.

So how did you know her Bette, if you dont mind me asking?

No not at all, Rachel was an old friend of mine from college, although I didnt want it to start that way, that was how we ended up. Bette smiled at the recollection of Rachel and her continuous brush-offs. Bette could never get it through her head that she was undesirable. After years of friendship she finally asked Rachel and got the response she was looking for. It wasnt that I didnt want you, it was that I knew I wanted you around for more than a few weeks. Bette had to respect her for that; Rachel and her family were a very dear part of her life.

So she was your…you wanted to date her? Tina was puzzled.

Well, yeah I guess you could put it that way. Bette smiled again and continued to push Tina on the swing. We saw each other through college, relationships, and the pressure on us from our families to succeed. Back when we first met I was dealing a lot with my sexuality, my family– well my father still didnt want to believe his baby girl didnt want anything to do with men. To this day he still doesnt recognize it much, we just dont talk about the matter.

Tina dragged her feet a bit, with the fear of going too high, That must have been awful, to deal with that, so was she ***** too?

Yeah she was, and her family is totally ok with it. The Lees are very warm and accepting people, they see past the confines of gender. Dont worry Tina, I wont let you get too high.

Tina smiled at that, feeling very protected by a woman whom, twenty minutes ago, just entered her life.

Bette found herself smiling too, she quickly countered it with a question for Tina, turn about it fair play. So what is it you do Tina, and how did you know Rachel?

Oh Im sorry, I work for a production company, AlphaVille, I do everything from screening scripts to production of movie sets, my job can change a lot and I like that. Actually I was bored to ***** with everything I was reading months ago until I came upon Rachels script and fell hard for it. I called her on it and we got it straight to production, this is actually why I am here now, our corporate lawyer Albert is in the house working out things with the Lees.

Rachel told me about you, she had said she thought she might have landed her big break and that a very stunning and determined woman was helping her get there. I cant say that she was that far off.

Tina blushed again and looked up to see Mrs. Lee standing there watching the two of them.

Bette, Tina I am so sorry about leaving you two, she called out to them. With that Tina dug her feet in the ground to stop herself, Bette held onto the ropes to slowly pull her in as well.

I will meet the two of you at the house! She called to them again and disappeared.
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As the women made their way back to the house, Tina turned to look at Bette. I am feeling really awful, I was enjoying our little break from reality back there, and I guess I am just not that focused on the issues at hand.

Tina, thank you for getting my mind off this for even that short while. All day I have wanted to just talk about nothing to someone and not have it seem like a chore. Bette smiled at her reassuringly.

I never thought of it that way, youre not that bad of a person to spend time with under any circumstances I am guessing.

Now you are just trying to flatter me, I thanked you once already, Bette teased her as they climbed up the stairs to the deck.

Tina looked at Amanda Lee then back to Bette, Well I suppose I should get going and let the two of you have some time. It was nice to meet both of you, a shame it had to be under these circumstances, but the nonetheless, I am happy I got to.

Bette stepped forward a bit almost to protest Tinas departure, but she remembered why she was here and wasnt going to be selfish. She looked at Tina and just nodded with a smile.

Well it was certainly nice to meet you as well dear, I assume we will be seeing you in the next couple days as well. Mrs. Lee gave Tina a hug and sat back down in her chair and had some water.

See you later Tina and thanks for the swing. Bette smiled at herself for that one.

Tina turned halfway through the door at Bettes comment, pleasure was all mine, she thought and she was through the door.