January 11, 2013

Bette grinned and handed Tina a small little box. Tina smiled at her as Bette gave a kiss on the cheek and said, "Happy Birthday T."

"I didn’t think you would remember," Tina said.

Bette scoffed. "Oh come on babe, we dated for 8 years and have a daughter together. You didn’t really think I would forget did ya? You know my birthday right?"

"October 15."

"Exactly."

"But if you remember my birthday then you also remember that I hate celebrating it," Tina said.

"Hey you know what, when we were dating I obeyed your wishes," Bette said, "because I was afraid you’d break up with me, but there’s no risk of that now."

"There’s a risk I’ll stop being your friend," Tina said narrowing her eyes.

"Not as long as we share the same group of friends and a little daughter," Bette said.

"You know Bette you have changed so much," Tina said. "I barely recognize you from a year ago when you were finding yourself and I was looking for safety."

"I think we both found what we were looking for and now we’ve changed," Bette said with a shrug. "You needed to be with Henry so you could understand that you don’t need anybody to have security. And I needed to find my calling in teaching Art to young minds."

Tina nodded and said, "so the change gave you the guts to plan something for my birthday when you know I hate it."

Bette grabbed Tina’s hand and pulled her towards the door. "I have an amazing plan because I don’t care how much you hate your birthday, tonight I’m gonna make you love it."

January 11, 2001

"You know what I’m gonna do today?" A youthful 23 year old Tina said glancing at her long term boyfriend Eric Milligen.

Eric grinned at her and said, "what you do every birthday, party like there’s no tomorrow."

"Exactly!" Tina cried happily, "Eric birthdays are a celebration, everytime you reach one you have achieved another year of life."

Tina danced around cheerfully and gave Eric a peck. Eric chuckled and shook his head. "You crazy woman," Eric said adjusting his tie, "where are we partying tonight?"

"There’s a club in Hollywood that’s off the hook," Tina said.