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    ON CENTER STAGE – Chapter 1

    Chapter 1

    The Planet was crowded, music playing louder then usual, drowning out most conversations that were meant to be private. The crowds were gathered near the entrance waiting for a table to become vacant on a busy Friday night. Tina stepped inside and was greeted with the familiar ambiance of her new favorite establishment. However, tonight, she was not happy to be lost among the hordes of people trying to claim a table long enough to eat dinner. She scanned the crowd looking for Bette, but when she didn’t see her, she scooted against the bar and ordered a shot. As she sipped the shot, unable to simply throw it back without becoming tipsy, she thought about the taxing day she had just experienced.

    When she left the house this morning, Tina was unprepared for the onslaught that waited for her at work. Her plans had been to catch up on work, specifically paperwork that had been piling up for the last week, and to leave relatively on time to meet Bette at home for a quiet dinner and much needed conversation. Tina knew when her assistant met her at the door she was not in for an easy day.

    “I won’t lie to you,” Leslie greeted her without a smile. “It’s not good.”

    “What’s not good?” Tina asked perplexed.

    “Your day.”

    “What happened?”

    “Besides Alphaville getting sued over a script that Development approved?” Leslie asked rhetorically.

    “Ouch,” Tina said as she opened the door to her office and threw her briefcase and purse down near her desk.

    “Want to know who did it?”

    “Did what?” Tina asked as she surveyed the mountain of papers in front of her, which seemed to have grown exponentially overnight.

    “Approved the script.”

    “No,” Tina said confidently. “I head the Department so even though I delegate the work, I don’t delegate the responsibility.”

    “Wow,” Leslie said smiling and fighting back the urge to laugh. “Very profound Tina.”

    “Not really,” Tina said rolling her eyes.

    When her phone rang, Leslie lunged across the desk to answer it quickly, startling Tina.

    “Tina Kennard’s office, may I help you?”

    Leslie smiled as she recognized the voice on the other end.

    “She’s right here Bette.”

    Leslie handed Tina the phone and signaled she’d be outside if Tina needed anything. Tina began talking only when Leslie closed her door to offer her the privacy she craved to talk with Bette.

    “Hey Babe,” Tina said longing to hear Bette’s voice.

    “Hey Tina.”

    Bette sounded tired and Tina instantly became worried, but had no time to process Bette’s voice before she continued to talk.

    “I need a little sympathy,” Bette said taking a deep breath.

    “What’s going on?”

    “That shipment I was waiting for came into the gallery,” Bette said as she ran her fingers through her hair. “It was fucking destroyed. I mean, completely damaged!”

    “Oh no!”

    “I’m so angry right now,” Bette said fuming.

    “Well I’m glad you called me instead of taking it out on some poor soul.”

    “No I did that too,” Bette said slightly smiling.

    “How did I know you would?”

    “Because you know me too well.”

    “It doesn’t feel like that lately,” Tina said as she grabbed the closest pen and began to doodle on a message that had been left on her desk. The pink sheet of paper announcing that someone had called when Tina wasn’t available seemed to not register with her as she scribbled Bette’s name all over it.

    “It’s been a rough few weeks,” Bette said hesitantly.

    “Over a month Babe,” Tina pointed out kindly. “I haven’t spent an entire evening with you, uninterrupted, in the longest time. You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to tonight.”

    “Yeah,” Bette said hesitantly. “About that…”

    “Don’t you dare Porter!”

    “Tina the shipment is completely fucked up, I have to fix it.”

    “And Alphaville just got sued over a script this damn Department approved! However, I’m not canceling on you.”

    “Babe,” Bette treaded lightly sensing Tina’s annoyance.

    “Bette, make an effort to see me please.”

    Tina rolled her eyes at how pathetic she sounded, begging Bette to make time for her after weeks of simply struggling to fit one another in.

    “Tina, let’s compromise. Why don’t you pick dinner up and bring it here to eat? That gives me more time to get this all sorted out and back on schedule to meet the show’s deadline.”

    “Because all that happens is that you work and I essentially eat alone.”

    “That’s not true!” Bette exclaimed.

    “Bette, the last time I did that, everyone knocked on the door and you ate your dinner in a record 10 minutes to get back to work. We never even had a moment to ourselves.”

    “I’m trying Honey,” Bette said sincerely.

    “Can’t you just come home for dinner?”

    “I won’t be able to make it all the way home, eat, and spend any amount of quality time with you, before I have to be back here for the next shipment and a meeting with the artist to examine her pieces.”

    “Meet me half way Bette,” Tina pleaded.

    “What’s half way?”

    “The Planet.”

    “Didn’t we just eat there?” Bette asked not truly wanting to meet in the crowded establishment. Her voice certainly reflected her lack of enthusiasm at Tina’s suggestion of restaurants.

    “It’s been months since we ate dinner there.”

    Tina set the pen down on the pink slip of paper that was now covered in scribbles and variations of Bette’s name wherever there was a free space to write something.

    “Fine,” Bette conceded. “I’ll meet you there at 6:00.”

    “Good,” Tina smiled as she twirled the phone cord around her index finger. “I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to actually seeing your beautiful face sitting across the dinner table from me.”

    “I miss you too Tina.”

    “I wanted to have a romantic evening,” Tina said seductively. “Do you have any idea how long it’s been…”

    Bette’s sexy chuckle came from the other end of the phone causing Tina to smile and shiver with sexual tension.

    “I do know how long it’s been,” Bette said in a low, husky tone. “But if you wait up for me tonight we can remedy that after my meeting.”

    “Is that a promise?”

    “Count on it T,” Bette said smiling and waiving her secretary off that had entered her office to tell her the shipping company was holding on line 2.

    “I’ll hold you to that Porter.”

    “I bet you will,” Bette said. “Unfortunately I need to end this enlightening conversation to make a point of verbally assassinating the shipping company’s manager.”

    “I’m sure he has no idea what’s in store for him,” Tina said chuckling. “I’ll see you at 6:00 Babe and don’t be late.”

    “I love you.”

    “I love you too Bette.”

    Tina hung up the phone and looked down at the message that sat in front of her with Bette’s name all over it. She checked the time the message was taken and it was early this morning. She looked at the name and a sense of dread sat in the pit of her stomach.

    Leslie walked in again with a copy of the lawsuit that was launched against Alphaville over what she considered a mediocre script and a cup of coffee for Tina.

    “What’s the look on your face?” Leslie asked Tina as she stared at the message slip.

    “What’s that?” Tina asked disregarding Leslie’s question.

    “The lawsuit for that shitty script you’re being sued for,” Leslie said smiling. “What’s the matter?”

    “When was this message taken?”

    “At the time I wrote on it.”

    “My day is going to be awful.”

    “Because of the lawsuit?” Leslie asked concerned.

    “No,” Tina shook her head. “I can handle a lawsuit, it’s returning this call I’ve been avoiding for days that has me worried.”

    Tina’s thoughts were disrupted when a taller woman bumped into her in an effort to grab her drink from the bartender. Her daydream was quickly interrupted as she blinked to bring herself back into the present moment.

    “Sorry,” the woman apologized quickly and threw a few dollars on the bar before walking away with a crowd of other women.

    Tina checked her watch and saw that it was 6:30, making Bette late once again. Her eyes filtered through the crowd looking for any sign that Bette had actually made it on time and was waiting at a table for her. She knew better, with the day she had, she knew Bette would be late and they’d be stuck in the cue for hours waiting on a table. That would cause additional stress on Bette and would likely cause her to hurry through the meal in an effort to return to work in time to meet the artist.

    “Who pissed in your Wheaties?”

    Tina turned to see Alice standing beside her, waiting for an answer to her sarcastic question.

    “After the day I’ve had today I’ll just say everyone has pissed in my Wheaties.”

    “Care to talk about it?”

    “No,” Tina answered smiling as she finished the last of her shot.

    “You’re supposed to slam it down.”

    “I’m not in the mood,” Tina said. “I wasn’t aware there was ‘shot etiquette’ these days.”

    “Hey Guys,” Dana said saddling up to the bar as well in an effort not to get lost in the crowd that had formed for dinner. “I hate that it’s so crowded in here now.”

    “You can’t get a table to save your life,” Alice agreed. “We really need to talk to someone about that.”

    “What’s the matter with you?” Dana said noticing a sad look in Tina’s face.

    “What makes you think something is wrong?”

    “It looks like someone just shot your best friend.”

    “That bad?” Tina asked dreading the answer. “Ugh, I’ll need to work on that before Bette gets here.”

    “She’s coming?” Alice asked. “I haven’t seen her in weeks!”

    “Three days Al,” Tina corrected her. “You saw her for breakfast three days ago.”

    “That consisted of her grabbing a coffee and standing at the table for 20 minutes before she left for her gallery.”

    “That’s about all you get these days,” Tina muttered.

    “So Bette’s the reason you look as down as you do?” Alice pushed for an answer.

    “Not so much Bette, but the fact that I never see her. Plus she’s late meeting me here for dinner when I had to practically beg her to come in the first place and told her to be on time.”

    “I thought you told me you were having dinner at home?” Alice inquired.

    “We were until her shipment came in damaged.”

    “Oh that’d set her off,” Dana said making a scared face.

    “Well she’s not the only one that had a miserable day so she should just suck it up and be here. Alphaville got sued over a script I developed.”

    “Wow you both had shitty days,” Alice said.

    “Ya know what’s funny?” Tina chuckled sarcastically. “That’s not even the worst of it.”

    “Oh no.”

    “The worst of it is that I’m pissed that I now have to suck up to Bette, even though she’s late, to ask her to do me a favor that I, myself, don’t even want to do.”

    “She’d do anything for you,” Dana said in an effort to reassure Tina. “I’m sure you won’t have to suck up too badly.”

    “I don’t want to do this, so how can I possibly think she would?”

    “Is it to kill one of us off?” Alice joked, nudging Tina to elicit a smile.

    “It would likely be you and I think Bette would enjoy that thoroughly.”

    “That’s funny Tina,” Dana offered in praise for Tina’s joke. “I wouldn’t worry about her not wanting to do you a favor.”

    “I guess we’ll find out since I can’t put it off anymore.”

    Tina looked up to see Shane headed in their direction and waived her over to the stool next to her.

    “How’s everyone doing tonight?” Shane asked as she ordered a Corona and eyed a brunette bending over to pick up a pen she had dropped before them.

    “You’re incorrigible,” Dana said in disgust as Shane’s eyes traveled the length of the stranger’s legs.

    “The only difference between you and I is I get laid,” Shane said smiling.

    Dana’s only response was to roll her eyes and look around at the crowds trying to fit inside the building and continue their long wait for a table.

    “Did you put your name in Tina?” Alice asked.

    “When I got here I did.”

    “We can all squeeze at your table then,” Alice said as if she had been invited.

    “I was hoping to have a moment with Bette.”

    “You can go home and have a night of moments,” Alice said. “We never get to see her and we’ll never get a table either at the rate this damn place is filling up.”

    “At this point I don’t care,” Tina said taking a deep breath as she saw Bette’s car slowly travel through the parking lot in search of a spot. “She’s here.” Tina bit her bottom lip, a nervous habit her friends all noticed.

    “What the hell is this favor?” Alice asked confused by Tina’s nervousness.

    “Let’s just drop it until I can gauge Bette’s mood,” Tina said with apprehension in her eyes. “Don’t mess this up Al!”

    “Jesus,” Alice looked defensive. “I won’t mention a word.”

    “Let’s hope,” Dana mumbled as she smiled and waved at Bette as she came through the door.

    Bette seemed genuinely annoyed as she bumped into people in an effort to get to where the group stood at the bar. She weaved around groups of people all waiting for a table to open up so they could enjoy the food and atmosphere of one of the more popular lesbian hang-outs in West Hollywood.

    “Jesus it’s crowded,” Bette said as she finally made her way to standing in front of Tina.

    Bette bent forward and gently brushed her lips against Tina’s to greet her. She looked at her watch, but offered no explanation of her tardiness or an apology.

    “How is the art?” Tina asked hesitantly.

    “Likely destroyed for good given where the damage is. What a bunch of fucking morons!”

    “Issues at work?” Shane asked.

    “When aren’t there issues at work?” Bette said rolling her eyes.

    “How long?” Tina inquired.

    “How long?”

    “How long do you have before you have to go back?”

    Bette cringed knowing the answer she would provide would likely create an argument between her and Tina about the lack of time they’ve been able to enjoy together recently.

    “Don’t answer,” Tina muttered.

    “Babe…”

    “No I knew ahead of time that you had work issues,” Tina said trying to put on her best causal smile. “I’m not mad Bette, really I’m not.”

    Bette looked at Tina knowing she was upset at something and curious if it wasn’t Bette’s work commitments what it could be.

    “What’s going on Babe?” Bette asked her gently.

    “Nothing.”

    “Don’t tell me nothing, I can see something’s wrong.”

    “I’m fine really,” Tina reassured her.

    “Tina I would rather that you not placate me when you’re mad at me. I never said you were wrong to be mad.”

    “Why do you always assume it’s about you Bette?”

    “Um,” Shane broke into the conversation but was ignored by Bette and Tina. “I think Dana, Al, and I will go check on our table.”

    Dana began to walk to the front of the restaurant while Alice stood there riveted to Bette and Tina’s conversation.

    “Al,” Shane prompted once more.

    “In a minute,” Alice said without taking her eyes off the conversation playing out in front of her.

    “I don’t always assume it’s about me, but usually it is, so why would I think it’d be any different today?”

    “Well you’d be surprised to know it isn’t about you,” Tina said sarcastically.

    “Al!” Shane broke into her thoughts by tugging on her arm. “Let’s go.”

    Alice followed Shane slowly to the front of the restaurant while trying to keep an eye on her friends and determine what was bothering Tina.

    “Is it your lawsuit?” Bette asked.

    “That’s part of it,” Tina said.

    “What’s the other part?”

    “Bette, I’d rather just enjoy the small amount of time we do have right now instead of rehashing what’s bothering me.”

    “Babe,” Bette made her way between Tina’s spread legs and stood in front of the stool she was perched on. She rubbed her hands up and down Tina’s bare arms and smiled as she looked into her eyes. “If you don’t want to rehash it, then we won’t, but just promise you’ll tell me when you’re ready.”

    “Fine,” Tina said smiling at Bette feeling dread in the pit of her stomach at the conversation she knew would be happening later that night. “Are you staying for dinner?”

    Bette took a deep breath as she looked at her watch once more, knowing she couldn’t stay, but dreading the disappointment she knew she’d see in Tina’s eyes when she broke the news to her.

    “It’s ok if you can’t,” Tina said to relieve Bette of any guilt she knew she’d hold by disappointing her. “I do want you to take carry out back though. I hate when you don’t eat.”

    “I eat most days.”

    “Most people don’t use ‘most days’ when talking about how often they eat Babe,” Tina pointed out. “They eat everyday.”

    “Point taken,” Bette said as she reached behind Tina and grabbed a menu off the bar. Tina took the chance to be close to Bette and kissed her neck as it was exposed and near her lips. Bette smiled and lingered a moment longer then needed as Tina placed her hands on Bette’s hips and kissed her neck once more.

    “Is the lovers spat over already?” Alice asked approaching Bette and Tina, once again, at the bar.

    “I wasn’t aware we were having one,” Bette said turning back and kissing Alice’s cheek while Alice wrapped her arms around Bette’s waist from behind.

    “I could have told you what it was about too if Fatty here didn’t tear me away.”

    “Thank you Shane,” Tina said smiling.

    “I do what I can,” Shane said. “Your table is ready, which is why we’re back here, to beg to join you.”

    “I’m leaving anyway,” Bette informed them. “Duty calls.”

    “Damn Bette,” Alice let go of her waist as Bette pointed to an item on the menu to the bartender for a take out order. “We never see you anymore.”

    “It’s before a show.”

    “It’s always something,” Alice retorted.

    “No, it’s usually before a show.”

    “I hate your job,” Alice said casually.

    “Not more than Tina I would bet,” Bette said staring at Tina with sadness in her eyes. “Babe, go eat, I’ll be home as soon as I can so make sure you’re awake.”

    Bette smiled as recognition flickered in Tina’s eyes. Tina didn’t answer, she just got up smiling, and kissed Bette’s lips and told her to be careful driving before walking to the open table with her friends.

    “Please,” Tina begged as she sat down with Shane, Alice, and Dana. “No inquisition.”

    “This favor has me intrigued,” Alice said as she leaned forward to make eye contact with Tina. “I have to know what it is and why it’s got you so rattled.”

    “No dice Al.”

    “Why?”

    “Because I want to forget about it until I have to ask Bette.”

    “Can we guess?” Alice asked pushing her luck. “We can role play and I’ll be Bette and you can practice asking me.”

    “Are you likely to give up on it without me telling you?” Tina asked.

    “No, probably not.”

    “Great,” Tina said rolling her eyes. “It’s my parents.”

    “What about them?” Shane asked now intrigued as well.

    “They are having an anniversary party.”

    The group waited with baited breath for Tina to continue.

    “They want me to come,” Tina said leading them to a conclusion that wasn’t coming to her friends. “They want me to come and bring the person I’m dating.”

    “Do they know it’s a woman?” Dana asked surprised.

    “They do know it’s Bette,” Tina said smiling. “That’s not what I’m worried about.”

    “What’s the issue then?” Dana asked.

    “It’s Bette,” Tina said smiling. “She won’t know what hit her.”

    Comments

    1. G! Your back! I was having some withdrawals! Okay, what is this cliffhanger your leaving me with? You know better than that to keep me suspended on the uphill! Despite anyhting I say I LOVE when I’m on that incline! Keep it coming!

    2. So glad you are back with another story. I like Alice, but I wish she would have left Tina alone. Shane is her usual bad-ass and its good to have Dana in the story. I have a feeling Bette and Tina’s work issues will just continue to grow. I wonder what the hell is going to happen with Tina’s parents.

    3. You made me so happy with this. As Sweet Memories are so dear to me I am trying to come down easy from this highth. But you are back and this beginning is good. Love how you make the interaction between bette and tina come alive.

    4. Hey Gumby, Thank you for returning with a new and intrigunig story. Apologies as my workload preented me from commenting on “Sweet Memories” in a timely basis. It was a wonderful story highlighting all of the love and commitment that Bette and Tina have. It showed that a relationship between two people is never perfect all fot he time; it takes hard work and compromise to build on the foundation of love to ensure that happiness and ecstasy follow.This inaugural chapter has set the scene for a rollecoaster ride. You capture the reality of Bette and TIna together; wanting to be there for one another while remaining individuals dedicated to their chosen professions and prepared to do wnat it takes to be the best in that role. Unfortunately this is at the cost of their personal live together. Bette needs to step back and smell the roses to appreciate everything she has with Tina. Making time for your lover is more important than a destroyed shipment of art. You need to take the time to realize that and rectify it before things are too far long. Even the strongest love needs nourishment and support. Please continue this entertaining tale and let me know why Tina is so bent out of shape over this meeting between her partner and her family. Thank you, Your Loyal Fan.

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