– 

“You’re still here.”  Apparently Yale graduates stated the obvious as well as anyone.

“I waited for you actually.”

“Oh,” the brunette tilted her head to the left.  “If I knew then…”

Tina cut the needless apology short.  “Don’t worry about it.”

The women looked at one another.  One dark haired and olive toned, the other’s complexion fair with pale golden brown hair as the afternoon beckoned its welcome to dusk.  These two who danced through time and events that saw them grow into the individuals they were.  They knew each other so well yet in many ways, not enough.

There was stillness in the air.  An offer to share more than a silent moment followed.

“How about a glass of wine?”

A smile graced Tina’s face to match the one Bette flashed in her direction.

“That would be lovely.”

The woman who just arrived sidestepped a packed bag to carefully push the door shut while placing her purse on the desk by the entry, releasing the distinctive key chain to rest next to it.

Side by side they walked the familiar steps to the kitchen, passing the sitting area and Bette’s home office to their left and right respectively.  Tina opened a cupboard to retrieve two goblets and waited for Bette to make the selection. 

It was like many other evenings except this particular one would be etched in both women’s memories forever. 

The brunette reached for a bottle and stared at the label.  Appearing thoughtful, she looked up for but a second to absentmindedly view the items that crowded the entry way and living area.  A moment later again her head was angled downward.   

After a silent assessment, the woman in a gray suit and black heels to match a classic shirt reached for another selection and nodded in approval.  With a practiced hand she opened the dark bottle with a well used opener and took a whiff before handing it to her companion.  “You do the honors.”

“Thanks.” Tina said while an approving smile graced her lips.  “It’s been a while since we had this.”

“We should let it breathe but…” a hesitant pause interrupted their exchange.

The flow dwindled for a second before an equal amount was poured into the other glass.   Tina cleared her throat then handed one to Bette.