CHAPTER 10

Bette headed towards the kitchen, trying to distract herself during what she thought would be the longest nine and a half minutes of her life.  As she crossed in front of the sofa, she saw her suit jacket lying in a heap on the floor.  She picked it up and hung it on the back of one of the dining room chairs, her hands smoothing the fabric carefully to make sure it didn’t wrinkle.  Bette then turned on the night lights in the kitchen and started blowing out the candles there and in the living room, hoping they wouldn’t be spending too much time in those rooms in the immediate future.  She went to turn off the oven, peeking inside at the dinner Tina had prepared for them.  It hadn’t burned, despite the long wait.  She carefully removed the pan, placing it on the counter.  She covered it, and put it away in the fridge.  They were definitely going to need food at some point that weekend. 

Bette smiled.  This evening had reminded her so much of the very first time she and Tina made love.  All of the anticipation, Bette’s feeling so tentative, not wanting to push Tina to something Bette wasn’t sure she was ready for, and Tina taking complete control.  Bette also realized that the godawful Kenny G music had stopped, and had been replaced by the Four Seasons.  Bette shook her head, but smiled, thankful that Tina hadn’t selected Celine Dion as the second disc.

Bette took a quick peek at the clock, knowing she wouldn’t be satisfied with the answer it gave her.  9:30.  Now, she just had to decide what to do for the next five and a half minutes.  She thought about calling Kit to check on the baby, but decided against it.  She reminded herself that Kit would call them if there were any problems, and she didn’t want to break Tina’s mood if she overheard the call.  Instead, Bette walked back to the living room, picked up her wine glass and took a long drink, allowing the smooth red liquid to linger on her tongue.  She let out a heavy sigh, settling herself onto the sofa.  She couldn’t believe how worked up she had let herself get over nothing, that she had let her insecurities get the best of her.  There was no doubt that Tina loved her, and was still in love with her.  That was perhaps the part that Bette had been unsure about.  She took another sip, and glanced at the clock.  Still 9:30.