Chapter 7

“Hey Babe do you think we should contact the camp and see if they’re worried about the storm?” Tina says putting the finishing touches on her makeup for the day.

Standing in front of the sink right next to Tina looking into the mirror after putting in her earrings, Bette stands back running her hands down her suit smoothing the fabric. “Sure T, I’ll do that first thing this morning when I get to the office. My class isn’t till later today so I’ll have plenty of time.”

Tina nods her agreement. “If we need to do anything let me know. I’m in meetings all day so just leave a message. OK?”

Bette moves to leave the bathroom stopping behind Tina to admire her. “Sure thing, Baby.”

***

“Hello this is Bette Porter. I’m calling about my daughter, Angelica Porter-Kennard.”

“Yes let me get the Camp Director, Ms. James.”

“Hey Bette. I’m so enjoying Angelica she is everything you’ve said. So how’s it going? Why the call, anything wrong?”

“Jamie I’m probably getting all worried about nothing but I was just a little concerned about my daughter. With the hurricane coming so close I was wondering if there was anything I should be worried about?”

“Well Bette, I don’t want to miss lead you or anything but right now it’s a little early to be worried. I mean around here we never say never but at the moment all indications are that this storm is going to blow itself out off shore and just cause us a little rainy weather. But just to be on the safe side we have planned to take certain precautions, securing enough provisions for everyone in our hurricane shelter and running the appropriate drill to assure all the campers safety.”

“So I am over reacting?”

“No … not at all. I would say that children are our most precious thing in the world so your concern is not misplaced.”

“But you think that maybe I’m being a little over protective if I want to pull her out because of the storm?”

“I’m not going to tell you what to do and like I said never say never but at the moment everything is normal and we are not anticipating it changing. We can all cross that bridge if things should change. Its not like we need to do something right this instant.”

“Well let me know if that changes right Jamie?”

“Sure thing Bette. You will be the first call I make.”

“OK that makes me breathe a whole lot easier.” Pausing a moment, “So you think Angelica’s special?”

“Special? Now why would I say that just because her pieces are amazing? If I go too far praising her you might get a big head.”

“Oh now that’s not fair. Come on tell me what you think.”

“Oh all right. Your daughter is really gifted …”

***

“Hey Baby I just got off the phone with Jamie at the camp. I think everything is good for now. She filled me in on what our little Angel is working on at camp. It sounds all really good I’ll fill you in when you get home. Hope your day is good and I’ll see you later. I love you.”

***

“I was just protecting your … uh honor?”

“My honor HELL! The way I heard it you were off making assumptions that had no basis in reality.”

“How can you say that you weren’t even there. You didn’t see that look of wanton lust on her face or the wishful sound of her voice.” Alice defends herself.

“I didn’t have to! There is nothing there to find other than friendship! Alice we’re FRIENDS … Good friends but just friends!”

“Oh come on Bette. I’m on your side. I was just protecting you and Tina. I mean you guys have finally gone back to where you both belong I’m ..”

The flare in Bette’s eyes should have been enough to warn Alice to stop what she was saying but now Bette had to verbally dress her down. “Just stop right there. What makes you think you have to do anything? It’s not your place nor has it ever been your job. What happens between Tina and I has nothing to do with you or anything you will or will not do. It is between Tina and I and NO ONE ELSE. It doesn’t include you, Rachael or anyone else.”

Alice just stares at Bette, mouth open. She starts to speak but Bette is quicker putting up her hand in the universal sign for stop.

“Think long and hard about what you are about to say next Alice!” Bette warns.

Alice pauses closing her mouth. She finally realizes exactly what Bette has just done. She has drawn the proverbial line in the sand. In effect creating the boundaries around what will and will not be tolerated concerning interference by friends. A line that Alice knows she will happily obey because she could tell by Bette’s stance, her protective behavior that she wasn’t the only one who would be made to tow the line.

Smiling Alice now feels better looking Bette in the eye. “Clear!”

Alice has been privy to the ring side seat of the on again – off again nature that defined the relationship between Bette and Tina over the years. For Alice once she had helped Tina get Angelica back after Bette’s moronic attempt to take off with her, Alice had witnessed Bette’s complete retreat from any confrontation concerning Tina, Angelica or any combination thereof. Alice watched Bette’s initial struggle with being left out, on the outside looking in. Retreating to her own misery by her own choice. It was worse than the first go around after the Provocation exhibit. This time around the gang didn’t abandon Bette. She abandoned them. They all tried to buoy Bette up during this period making promises of a better future for everyone but no one succeeded in breaking through Bette isolation. Probably because no one believed what they were saying.

Whenever Alice would get together with Bette, Alice would alternate between vigorously defending or viscously attacking Tina’s behavior. Bette would always remain silent during these fumes giving Alice her lead. The best description of these discussions would be to think of Alice’s rant as a dog leash and Alice as a little puppy. She would twist and turn, going around in circles to finally tie herself up completely. In the end Alice was a dog tied to a tree that continually wound herself around the trunk with her words. There Alice would dangle totally exposed to Bette’s mercy but Bette never rose to engage instead letting Alice wiggle off.

Even later after Bette and Tina had worked out a rapport of sorts based on Angelica and all during the time it took for that rapport to develop into a friendship, Bette would make no comment on Alice’s chosen attack of the day. Whether it be compliments or insults Bette would listen and say nothing. Alice had gotten so use to this behavior from Bette that many times her flights of fancy would take over. Alice’s wild ramblings could cover a vast array of territory when left unchecked and with Bette’s intentions to not interfere Alice said some pretty outlandish things over the years.

So it was like a kid in search of discipline to save themselves from their unstructured life that Alice felt an unbridled joy bubble up within her. Bette was finally making a stand and it was on the right side of the fence. She was standing up for her family. Unable to contain herself Alice bolts up and hugs Bette for all she’s worth, sinking her head into Bette’s chest.

A little surprised by Alice’s quick capitulation Bette is left confused but happy at Alice’s apparent surrender. “You’re a strange one Alice.”

***

“Babe I’m home.” Tina says from the front door.

It’s been a long few days lately with neither of them connecting much other than when coming together in bed. It made Tina appreciate how much she missed not having Bette living with her. They had been able to stay connected because of this time together. The thought of how attentive Bette has been to her, meeting her every need put a smile on Tina’s face. It was these kinds of thoughts that had pushed Tina into taking off early tonight. The house was quiet when she walked further in, looking around Tina could tell that Bette was home her briefcase was setting by the front door. Moving through the house Tina dropped her own briefcase in the office along with her keys.

Turning towards the kitchen she now was in search of the elusive Bette. While wandering through the house, Tina was searching her mind trying to remember if Bette had said anything about having a commitment tonight when it hit her. “OH” Tina says out loud the disappointment of her realization stopping her.

Tonight was Bette’s art night, the evening she spent sketching with Rachael. Tina likes Rachael having met up with her on numerous occasions. Tina had watched the two of them tease each other back and forth, getting along as well as sisters. The two always seem to be pushing each other in a friendly competition.

Tina had completely forgotten about Bette’s standing weekly gig with Rachael when she took the evening off early. Turning around she headed towards the bedroom to change now a little annoyed with herself for forgetting. She could have stayed at the office later tonight so she could come home early tomorrow evening.

Opening the bedroom door, Tina already has her suit jacket off and is in the process of pulling her blouse out from the confines of the waist band of her skirt. Entering Tina immediately sees Bette reclining across the top of the bed.

She looks relaxed and comfortable, in shorts and T-shirt, her left arm raised above her head and eyes closed. Tina stops admiring her, the delicate features of her face while she naps. A sudden swelling of happiness happens in Tina’s heart, this vision is worth coming home early no matter how late she must stay at work tomorrow. Bette must have laid down for a short nap and has over slept. Now she is late for her get together with Rachael.

Moving up to the bed Tina sits down and gently moves Bette’s hair to the side. When this doesn’t wake her Tina becomes more direct and leans forward placing a gentle kiss on Bette’s lips. This time Tina’s actions get their desired results, Bette’s eyelids flutter, slowly as Bette wakes up.

Bette slowly comes back to the land of awareness. A smile crosses her face, “Hey you.”

“Hey yourself. Have I been keeping you up so late that you needed to sneak a nap in?” Tina teased.

This comment only brought a deep chuckle out, “Oh yeah. I’m not use to the nocturnal habits of my new girl friend. But I’m not complaining or anything.”

This comment brought Bette another kiss as a reward.

When Tina pulled back still smiling “As much as I love to go further I feel honor bound to tell you you’re late for your weekly get together with Rachael.”

At this Bette reaches up and strokes Tina’s cheek, her smile fading just a little by the thoughts crossing her mind.

“Thank you but I’ve cancelled for tonight. I wanted to talk with you first.”

Tina sees the pensive mood flash over Bette’s face. Creasing her brows, “Talk … this sounds serious Babe. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong or at least I hope not. Something came to my attention today and I’m not letting any issues stand between us ever again not even miss conceived ones so I cancelled with Rachael tonight to wait for you.”

“Babe what’s going on … you’re scaring me a little.”

Bette sits up so they both are looking each other straight in the eye. “I’m sorry I just don’t want any seeds to be planted that night grow later.” Bette says mysteriously.

“OK so what happened today?” Tina now demands the suspense more than she wants to endure.

“I had a run in with Alice but really it was the topic more than anything else. Alice has made a big deal of telling Rachael off this morning at the Planet. Alice then proceeded to tell me how she was preserving our relationship and that was the reason for her actions.”

“Oh God Alice.”

“Well I set her straight that in itself is not the problem the problem for me is that if Alice thought there was something other than friendship going on between Rachael and myself then maybe you might have had these same thoughts. That got me thinking and well I just can’t have you even wondering so I decided to stay home and talk to you.” Bette admits looking up at Tina with the question of ‘Do you think there is something going on between Rachael and myself?’ written across her face.

“Oh Babe. I haven’t had that thought in my head for years. You and Rachael are friends. I think if the two of you ever got together you would kill each other you’re so competitive at times. But romantic thoughts, ones that make me jealous just aren’t there.” Tina says and then sees another emotion cross Bette’s face. “Does that disappoint you?”

“Uh no … I mean NO I don’t think.” Bette says trying to come to terms with how she feels.

“Well if you aren’t sure is there anything that I can do to clear this issue up?” Tina now says moving closer to Bette so the heat of her voice is brushing against the side of her cheek. This warm air causes Bette to shiver giving Tina the answer she needed. Moving closer she begins to nuzzle Bette’s neck enticing the shiver to come back again.