Previously: Now tell me you didnt turn into one of those clich ***** couples. Beep Beep Beep Robert waived his hands in the air like he was directing traffic. Back up the truck, its our second date. He smiled and laughed at his own joke. No. We didnt do that. Thanks for your concern though Robert. Alright, alright. Im sorry. So you tell me. Whats next? ************************************************************ “We certainly weren’t a U-Haul couple.” Tina said sipping her water. In fact it was a year later and I was still living in my own apartment… Tina drowsily reached across the soft white sheets. Her hand searching for the warmth it had grown accustomed to. The further it slid the more aware Tina became. Not finding what it needed, her hand returned to her, rubbing her dreamy eyes open. Tina looked over to the empty pillow lying next to her and let out a longing sigh as she turned over onto her back. She rubbed her forehead, her mind now catching up to what her body had already known. Bette had slept at her own place the night before. Tina reached for the phone. Good morning, Baby. Bettes groggy voiced answered, knowing who would be on the other end. Morning, Babe. Did I wake you? No. Wellyes, but thats okay. Bette stretched, making one of Tinas favorite noises in the process. It was the cross between a moan and a giggle. Oh Baby. I missed having you here last night, and this morning. I miss being there. Well, did you get everything done at the gallery that you needed to? Mostly. There are just some last minute details and things I need to tie up today. Ill be so happy to get you back all to myself when this show is over. Ill be all yours. I promise. Mmmmthat sounds good. Tina smiled running her hands through her tangled hair. Tina? Yeah, Babe? Happy Anniversary. Oh *****. Bette, Baby. Im so sorry. Im sorry I didnt say anything before. I must still be half asleep. I Its okay Tina. Really. Bettes amusement at her flustered girlfriend tickled her voice. No. No its not okay. Im sorry and I swear that I will make it up to you tonight. Alright, I can deal with that. Bette wiggled beneath her sheets. Babe? Yes Tina? I love you so much. Happy Anniversary. Thank you. I love you Tina. Ill call you later? K. Bye, Babe. Have a good day at work. You too. Bye T. Tina grabbed her robe from the back of the door and hurried through the countless boxes lining her hallway. Stupid boxes. She mumbled, pushing a rather large one out of her way with her slippered foot. Her apartment had become a perpetual game of Jenga as she moved precariously stacked boxes from one end to the other. She checked the wall clock that now laid on top of a pile of clothes in the corner. Not wanting to be late for her realtors appointment, she hurried to her shower. Good Morning, Bette. Hey Jamie. Bette placed her hand on her assistants shoulder. Youre here early. Yes, well I just want to make sure everything is perfect for this weekend. Im sure it will be. Thank you for everything youve done so far. You are the best. Bette smiled at her assistant seeing herself at that age and understanding her drive. Youre welcome. I just hope you remember this when you are writing my letter of recommendation for that position with the Met. WhaWhat was that? I couldnt hear you Bette cupped her ear feigning deafness as she always did at the mention of Jamies plans on leaving. Coffee? Jamie yelled from half way down the hall, unaffected by Bettes attempt at humor. Yes please and thank you. Bette yelled back looking through the mail on her desk. Tina fished through the bowl that rested on the edge of her realtors desk. Ah-Ha! Tina beamed holding up her treasure. Orange! Got you! Her search for the perfect lollipop a success. Youre easy to please. Chuckled a voice from behind. Tina turned in her seat to greet her realtor. Oh. Hey John. Hello Tina. Youre here to sign the lease for the Thompson Street place right? Yessh Tina slurped, her orange prize tucked in her cheek. Diabetic? John asked wide-eyed at Tinas enthusiasm for sugar. No. Jerk. I jussht didnt have time to shhtop. Hearing how ridiculous she sounded, Tina pulled the lollipop from her mouth before continuing. I didnt have time to stop for breakfast so Im improvising with this. She waived the candy at him. Alrighty. You are obviously a very busy woman. John exhaled. Lets get you taken care of. He sat down and winked at Tina. Whatd you got for me. She asked crunching down on what was left of her sweet bounty. John raised and eyebrow at Tina and slowly pulled the rest of the cellophane wrapped sweets from harm. He replaced the bowl with a stack of papers. Okay. So Ive marked everything you need to sign with these little yellow flags her. Pretty simple. Just take a looksy and let me know if you have any questions. Mmmm Hmmm. Tina hummed perusing the paperwork. Looks good. Gotta pen? Of course. John said handing Tina a pen from behind his ear. Just try to keep it out of your mouth. Ill do my best. Tina grinned at her good friend. John had been one of the only friends of Erics she had liked. He proved himself to be a great friend of hers when she and Eric broke up. He had showed up at her friend Karens place, where she had been staying. He had a dozen real estate listings and two cups of coffee in his hand. Tell me what can I do. He had said. Youve done it. She had answered; taking his coffee and his arm as they searched for the apartment she was now leaving. Tina handed the completed paperwork back to John. Cross all the Ts dot all the Is, Tina He said pleased at his weak joke about her name. Does anyone find you funny? She dryly replied. Does my therapist count? Never mind. Okay dokay. Everything looks good. Any questions? Nope. Tina said eyeballing his bowl again. One more, Tina. But you cant open it until you get outside. Cross my heart. John tossed her the only orange lollipop left in the bowl; Tina had been there several times since her landlord decided to sell. Alright, scram. You can pick up the keys tomorrow. I have to file the lease in the morning. Thank you, John. Tina rounded his desk and planted a big kiss on his cheek. Youre welcome, Tina. Make sure not to call me if you need help moving. Youll be the first. She winked and unwrapped her second candy of the morning popping it in her mouth. Bye! Tina waived half running out the door to escape Johns reprimanding glare. Hey. Jamie knocked on Bettes opened office door. Hey. Whats up? Bette asked looking up from her daunting stack of paperwork. Im on my way out. Is there anything I can do for you before I go? No. Ill be fine. Did you call the caterers? Did you tell them no shrimp? Mrs. Brantly, of the Brantley Foundationyou know the one. Well she nearly pulled out of a deal on a major painting last year because we served shellfish. She blew up like a balloon. It was just, just nasty. Bette leaned back in her chair with a disgusted look on her face. Yes. Jamie laughed. I called them. We are crustacean free. Good. Good. Thank you, Jamie. You really are a God-Send. Good night Bette. Good night Jamie. Oh, hey Jamie? Bette called after her assistant. Youll have that letter of recommendation on your desk on Monday. Jamie smiled and waived as she walked out the side door. Bette noted the pink sky and looked at her watch. 4:00, and her day was just beginning. She buried herself back into her paperwork. Bette called while you were you in your meeting. Tinas secretary croaked from behind her bifocals. Thanks, Marie. Tina said hovering above her looking over the new stack of scripts that had been dropped off for her. Marie had been at the studio for ages, and based on the number of bobby pins nested in there, so had her hair-do. Tina always found herself mesmorized by it. Can you tell anyone else who calls that Ive already left for the weekend? Im going to try to get out of here a little early today. Ohhhhbig plans? Yes, actually. Tina smiled. Today is the one year anniversary of my first date with Bette. Oh, that is so nice. Its not 40 years like my Morty and me, but its nice. Where are you two going? Waitshes the tall one right? With the hair and the suits? Yes, Marie. Tina laughed. Thats her. Youve met her a hundred times. Alright, okay. Dont get upset. I just dont like to assume with you kids now days. Now I want you to tell her I like her hair much better now. I didnt like that weird thing she had before. Marie motioned her hands emulating the line of Bettes asymmetrical haircut she had, had when Tina first met her. Much, much better now all grown in. You can tell her I said that too. Okay, Ill be sure to let her know. Tina began to retreat into her office. Wait. Come back her. Yes, Marie? You never told me what you two were doing tonight. Well I made reservations at Zintar and… Zintar?? Never heard of it. What else? Umm, thats it really. Its supposed to be really good, its new. I never trust new. Marie stated matter of factly I made dessert for later. Tina offered hoping to satisfy her. Dessert. Dessert is nice. Marie looked out into the distance seeming to remember a nice dessert from her past. Tina took this opportunity to duck into her office and close the door. She dropped into her chair and dialed Bettes office. Bette Porter. Oh. Hey you! Tina said surprised to get Bette right away. Wheres Jamie? Shes gone for the day. So, youve been left all alone to fend for yourself before a big opening? I have. I have been abandoned. Bette said purposely dramatic. Poor Baby. Tina giggled. Is there anything I can do? No T. Thanks though. Im just trying to finish up here. Okay. Well our reservations are at 7:30 so dont be too long. 7:30? Baby I thought you said they werent until 9:30. Bette said panicked. No. I said 7:30. Tina tried to stay calm. Who eats at 7:30? Well, its the only opening we could get at Zintar on a Friday night. Tina started to worry. Baby, I dont know if I can get out of here by then. You must be joking. Youre kidding right? Tina, I wish I was. Ive got an opening her tomorrow night and a hundred people and artists and buyers to attend to. Ive got a crew here first thing in the morning. I have to be ready for them or this whole thing doesnt happen. Bette took a deep breath calming herself. Im sorry Baby. I will do my best. Alright. Call me. Tina hung up. She could feel a lump developing in her throat as she shuffled the papers on her desk. Jesus Bette. She whispered to herself as she picked up her car keys and bag. Bye, Marie. She waived pushing her sunglasses on her face to hide her defeated expression. See you Monday, Tina. You kids have fun. Thanks Marie. Ill try. Tina climbed into her car and made her way back to her cramped apartment.