My heart rate accelerates and I feel a tightness in my throat as I get closer to Bettes place. I pull into her driveway but I don’t see her vehicle. Doesn’t look like she is home. I walk up to her door and ring the bell. ‘Ding Dong’ No Answer DARN! she isn’t home. I decide to go out for breakfast before work seeing as I am not quite hungry. I pull into my favorite breakfast joint. I walk in and look around for a table to sit at. That is when I see her. At first sight a smile spreads across my face. I start walking towards her table. My smile soon fades as I see the man beside her lean into her and place a soft kiss on her lips. I am too late.I don’t believe this.It cannot be happening. I rush to the restroom now my eyes filled with tears.

CHAPTER TWENTYONE

I am standing the the ladies room at this restaurant looking at my reflection in the mirror. My red tear filled eyes now swollen with the last remaining liquid it could expel. I realized that I’ve lost my appetite.remembering how quickly my world has changed in the last hour. I need to compose myself if I am going to show up for work. Work ha that is funny she will be there how can I bear to be near her or even look at her without loosing it? I think I should just call in sick maybe? I cannot work I just can’t look at her I need to go home. I need to forget all about her, forget I ever met her. Can I do such a thing? I know the answer and I cannot for the life of me do anything except stand frozen in this spot as my puffy eyes that I tought were all dried out refill once again with water. Fuck it I am just going to ignore her at work like we have been doing for the past week It isn’t any different. I wash my face and leave the building without bothering to look around.

I am now at work and my shift is over. I went out of my way to avoid eye contact with Bette. I am all right didn’t have to worry cause she was so busy with her tasks she didn’t even know I was there I am sure of it, Although I never did look her way all day today. I feel confident that I can go home and wallow in my sorrow for the rest of this afternoon and evening. I make it all the way to my car when I hear it. Her voice, the voice that can make me melt everytime I hear it. I must remain strong I cannot allow her to see how upset I am.

Bette: Tina?

Tina: Yes. (I say coldly)

Bette: T I don’t like how things are so distant between us can we go somewhere and talk maybe?

Tina: Well I dunno Bette I am kind of busy. I have a million things to do at home. ( I say this with a cool exterior while on the inside I am just furious. How can she wanna talk to me she ignored me all week and moved on obviously.)

Bette: Please Tina Just meet me at my place and give me half an hour to talk to you. Ater that you are free to go do what you need to do and if you never wanna speak to me again then you don’t have to. But pretty please just give me a half hour of your time that is all I am asking.

Tina: Well Okay. ( I agreed against my better judgement. I agreed to let her have 30 minutes to talk to me).

As I am driving to Bettes place I can’t believe I agreed to do this. I guess I am just a sucker for her sexy pleading voice. AHHHHHH! I gotta quit thinking this way she will tell me that there is no way we could ever be more than friends. What have I gotten myself into?? I pull up into her driveway and’

prepare to put on a strong and brave front. I will just have to tell her that I am very very happy for her after listening to what she has to tell me and just go home and learn to deal with having a life she won’t be a part of. I take in a big breath of air as I slowly but steadily walk towards her front door. I gulp as I knock on her front door for the first time in a little over a week. Okay lets just get this over with……..

TBC