Alice threw her napkin down onto the table and declared, Now, if that didnt hit the spot, then I dont know what did.

That doesnt really make a lot of sense, Al said Bette.

What do you mean, of course it does she replied indignantly.

No, not really. You said that if that didnt hit the spot as if you werent sure if that hit the spot or not.

Hellooomy point exactly! Im saying that if it werent that that hit the spot, then I dont know what did-

Cause the spot was hit? interrupted Bette.

Okay. Is anyone listening? Yes the spot was hit she said as if she were explaining this to a three year old child.

But what you said was if that didnt hit the spot, in a manner conveying a lack of uncertainty, as if you werent sure whether the spot was hit or not. And yet, you just said that it was, leading me back to the previous conclusion of your statement lacking sense she said, folding her napkin and placing it in her lap in a sense of fait accompli.

How the ***** do you put up with her? Alice asked Tina, hand motioning in Bettes direction.

Tina chuckled at the two womens conversation as she reached over and lazily ran her fingers through Bettes hair.

It can be a challenge she laughed as she leaned in kissing Bette on the neck.

Tina?

As absorbed as they all were in the sparring going on between Bette and Alice, none of them had seen the woman approaching their table.

Tina, with a smile still on her face, turned around to see who had called her name.

Hi she heard from the woman standing there.

Uh, hi Tina said, suddenly very uncomfortable, her smile disappearing from her face.

Alice turned away from the sneer that she was sending Bette in order to see who had joined them.

Oh ***** she muttered under her breath as soon as she saw who it was.

Bette merely chuckled at the look that she was getting from Alice and finally turned to see who was standing behind Tina.

As soon as her eyes landed on the womans face, Bette immediately recognized who it was. Even though she had never been introduced to her, she would never be able to forget this woman, the image of her stroking Tinas hand, whispering into Tinas ear, holding onto Tina possessively, had been seared into her memory, at times, the only picture that her tired brain was able to conjure up during the many sleepless nights that she had experienced.

Okay, here we go Alice whispered under her breath.

Shane lowered her glasses, allowing them to rest on the bridge of her nose as all of her attention was focused on this unexpected and undesired intrusion. Dana nervously looked at the expression on all of her friends faces, trying to figure out how to play this one out.

Uh, hi Tina nervously repeated, quickly stealing a glance at Bette to see if she recognized Shannon. From the expression that she saw on Bettes face, she knew without a doubt that Bette knew exactly who this was and was none to happy at seeing her here.

I heard that you were back in town Shannon quietly said, looking at no one at the table except Tina.

Uh, yeah, just for a few days she quickly said, wishing with everything that she had that Shannon would just walk away.

Is there any where that we could go talkalone? she asked, still not looking at anyone else at the table, attention completely focused on Tina.

Noticing Bettes fingers tapping on her thigh in a manner that Tina knew to be a precursor to ire, she quickly reached over, placing her hand on her thigh and covering her fingers, gently squeezing them in an attempt to placate the anger she saw rising.

Bette slid her hand out from beneath Tinas and while looking straight ahead, rose from her chair while saying, Excuse me and then simply walked away.

Bette, wait Tina called out to her retreating form. God damnit she hissed under her breath as she watched Bette walk out the front door.

You know what Shannon? This is really not the best time she said impatiently as she stood to follow after Bette.

I justplease Tina, two minutes? she implored.

Tina felt all eyes on her as she struggled with what she should do. She knew that Bette was probably furious or at the least, hurt, if not both for that matter and she didnt blame her at all. Here was the woman that she had thrown in Bettes face time and time again and to see her now must be horrible.

And yet, she knew that Shannon didnt deserve the treatment that she had been given. Tina had used her to get at Bette and therefore, felt as if she owed her at least two minutes of her time to hear her out, if not to just apologize for her own behavior.

Two minutes she said as she exhaled with resignation, looking towards the front door longingly, willing Bettes return. She followed Shannon out to the terrace without looking at any of her friends hoping for understanding.

You gotta be ***** kiddin me said Alice as she watched Tina walking away.

What is she thinking talking tofuck me! Whats her name again? asked Alice.

Shannon Dana and Shane both responded at the same time.

RightShannon she said. Why the ***** cant I remember her name? she asked no one in particular shaking her head in wonderment.

Anyway she said, picking up where she had just left off. What the ***** is Tina thinking talking to Shannon while Bette walks out the front door? I mean, are we in some episode of The Twilight Zone that Im not aware of?

God man, who the ***** knows? said Shane as she rubbed her head, trying to figure out what had just happened.

Maybe she just wants to explain to Shannon exactly what happened, you know, with Bette I mean Dana tried to rationalize.

No offense, but the only ***** person that Tina owes any explanation to is the woman that just walked out the front door!

And not some trick she threw around just to piss Bette off! she added angrily.

Wheres Kit? Alice asked as she stood up. She needs to go talk to Bette and calm her down.

You dont even know where she is, Al Shane pointed out.

I know, thats why I asked where she was said Alice as she started to walk towards the office.

NoBette Shane said to no one in particular as Alice had walked away, You dont know where Bette is.

Dana looked at Shane and just shrugged her shoulders. They both turned to look outside to see what was happening between Tina and Shannon and from Tinas body language, both could tell that Tina was not very happy at this moment.

That must be a lot of fun, huh? Shane said as she nodded towards the patio.

Just like a visit to the dentist, a lot of fun replied Dana dryly.




I guess that I just dont really understand what happened Shannon said.

Look Tina replied, trying to keep her irritation and anger at a minimum. There really is no understanding Bette and me. I think that you and I just met at a really bad time and for that, I am sorry. But Shannon she quickly added. I also believe that I was crystal clear up front that I was not looking for a relationship, that I still had a lot to work through with Bette.

Yes she admitted, you did say that, but I thought that things were moving along in a manner that had you changing your mind a bit.

Shannon, I never changed my mind, not in the slightest, and if I ever gave you that impression, than I am sorry for that as well.

I thought you and Bette were over she continued.

Bette and I were never over, nor do I believe that we will ever be over she stated matter of factly.

So, you and I never had a chance?

Tina took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She didnt want to be cruel to Shannon, but she wanted her to understand that after this conversation, there was going to be nothing left to discuss.

Its not that you and I never had a chance, Shannon, because simply put, I was not looking for a chance. Bette and I had been going through some really tough stuff

You were broken up, were you not? she interrupted.

I dont know what we were she tried to explain. We werent together at the time, but we were far from finished.

So, the time that we spent together?

Was just that, time spent together.

Shannon looked away, beginning to understand what had really been going on between Tina and herself.

So, I was just there to fill the gap then, huh?

Shannon, Im sorry. Look, Bette and I are complicated. We did some bad things to each other, spent some time apart, but are now back together. I will apologize if you feel that you were mislead in some way, but I never told you that there was a future for the two of us. My future is with Bette, it always has been, and frankly, I want it no other way.

Well, I certainly feel like the fool she said as she began to step away from Tina.

Shannon, please dont say that. You know what? Youre gonna make someone

Dont do that Tinaplease she said over her shoulder as she walked away.

Tina just stood there, watching Shannon walk away and said under her breath, very happy one of these days.




What you doin sittin out here all by yoself? Kit asked Bette as she walked outside and saw her perched on the wall by the front door.

Just getting some fresh air she replied, staring straight ahead watching the traffic go by.

The air inside bad? asked Kit.

Just not as fresh as this I guess chuckled Bette. And thats a pretty sad statement when we are talking about LA air she smiled as she looked up at her sister.

Mind if I join you? asked Kit as she sat down next to Bette.

Of course not she answered, scooting over to make room for Kit.

You wanna tell me whats goin on? she asked.

What do you mean?

Well, all I know is that Alice came runnin into my office tellin me to get my ***** out here to come calm yo ***** down!

Do I look like I need calming down? she asked Kit.

No, and I gotta tell you, that kinda worries me.

Kit please, Im fine Bette said with a smile.

So, whats goin on?

Bette took a deep breath and said, Tinas old girlfriend came a calling.

Where? Here?

Yep, inside as we speak.

No ***** said Kit in surprise. She just walked up to your table to talk to Tina with you sittin there? she said in amazement.

Yep, sitting right next to her.

Wow, thats girls got some balls I tell you she chuckled. Whats her name again? asked Kit.

I have no idea said Bette as she just sat there staring straight ahead.

And what did you do? Kit asked.

Left, came out here. Fresh air, remember?

You just walked out and left that woman to talk to your woman? Kit asked with surprise.

What the ***** am I supposed to do Kit, drag her out by her hair?

Well, of course not Bette, but I am just kinda surprised that you would just walk out to leave the two of them to talk.

You know what Kit? I really didnt want to sit around while they caught up with each other. Is that so hard to understand? *****, maybe I could have offered her my chair, gotten her some coffee. I mean, anything for an ex of Tinas right? she asked, anger becoming apparent.

Okay, okay tiger, calm down. I was just saying

I know what you were just saying Bette interrupted angrily as she stood to pace in front of Kit. But what I am just saying is that I did not want to be reminded of a very painful period in my life, okay?

Okay baby sister, I got it. You can put the claws back in. Im not one of Tinas exes, you know.

Bette stopped her pacing and stood in front of Kit. I know she smiled, tone softening a bit.

So, you just gonna stand outside all day, or are you gonna go in and talk to your woman?

Thank you Kit, precisely what I would like to know said Tina, standing about three feet from the two of them, arms crossing her chest defiantly.

Bette just stood there, looking at Tina in surprise at her arrival as Tina returned her gaze with a raised eyebrow emphasizing her question.

No one said anything until Kit stood up and clearing her throat said, Ok, Im just gonna head on in now. I see that my work here is done. If either of you need but Kit didnt finish her sentence as she saw that neither woman was hearing a word she was saying.

Right she said, bowing her head as she walked back into The Planet.

Well? asked Tina, eyebrow still raised as she pushed Bette for a response.

Well what? she asked, finally dropping her gaze to examine the sidewalk between them.

Kits question. What were you going to do? Just sit out here all day or were you ever going to come inside and talk to me?

I dont know she admitted sheepishly. I hadnt really thought it all the way through.

Uncrossing her arms, Tina walked up to Bette, closing the distance between the two of them.

Ok, thats fair said Tina as she reached out, placing her hands on Bettes arms which were hanging by her sides. So, what about now? What are you going to do now?

Bette took a step back from Tina and returned to her previous seat on the wall.

Sit. Thats what Im gonna do she answered.

Tina watched Bette, careful to read all of the signals that both her demeanor and body language were sending out.

May I? she asked, nodding to the vacant space next to Bette.

Please she answered.

Tina joined Bette on the wall, watching her intently as Bette resumed her careful study of the West Hollywood traffic.

Find that interesting? smiled Tina.

Whats that?

The traffic. Watching it go by.

Not something I would pay to do she answered, a small smile beginning to tug at the corners of her mouth.

But you find it preferable to looking at me, huh? teased Tina.

Youre not as clunky and loud and smelly as the traffic she said, still watching the cars go by.

And thats a bad thing laughed Tina.

Not if youre traffic, I suppose she smiled, finally turning to look at Tina.

The two women just sat there, taking the other in. Bette was leaning forward, elbows on her knees, head turned towards Tina, who had a knee up on the side of the wall, body facing Bette.

So? said Tina.

So replied Bette.

Do you have anything to say? asked Tina, a smile still apparent on her face.

Hows your ex-girlfriend? That is assuming shes an ex? smiled Bette.

Tina reached over and ran her fingers through Bettes hair.

And if she wasnt? she teased.

Then, Id say we have a little more talking to do chuckled Bette.

Tina continued to play with Bettes locks, placing them behind her ear and wrapping them around her fingers.

Well, in order to be an ex, she would have had to have been a present, and baby, I dont think that that was ever the case.

Was she aware of that?

Apparently not she said, tone getting serious.

Did you break her heart? asked Bette, half joking half serious.

I dont know that Id go that far, baby she said, continuing to run her fingers through Bettes hair.

Hmmm was Bettes only response as she turned to look ahead once again.

Are you pissed? Tina asked.

Thought I was but Im not, not at you anyway.

What do you mean, baby?

Taking a deep breath, Bette turned to answer her. I would have been a fool to assume that you would have remained single while we were apart. The fact that the woman that you took up with approached you in front of me is certainly not your fault she said.

Took up with? Tina giggled. That sounds like something that my grandfather would say.

Whats wrong with took up with? asked Bette indignantly, straightening her back to fully defend her choice of phrases.

Who says took up with? she asked as she continued to laugh. I should ask the girls about that one she teased as she stood up, reaching her hand down to help Bette up.

Bette swatted her hand away while standing and said, I may talk like your grandfather, but that doesnt mean that I need assistance like he does!

Tina continued to laugh at Bette as she wrapped her arms around her neck.

Well one things for sure she said, the glimmer in her eyes apparent as she stared into Bettes eyes.

Whats that? asked Bette in a manner bespeaking her fear of the answer.

As she leaned in to kiss Bette, she said, Youre a helluva lot better lookin than my grandfather.

Ti- but her response was quickly muted as Tina closed the distance between both sets of waiting lips.

Parting her lips with her tongue, Tina kissed Bette possessively, daring any passer-by, any resident of West Hollywood, or simply any member of the human race, to question who it was that owned Bette Porters heart, and who in turn, had possession and ownership of her own.

She held Bettes head in place as she deepened the kiss, eliciting a guttural moan from her. Pulling away slowly, she stared deeply into Bettes eyes and breathlessly said, I think its time I take you home and show you just how never she was and how forever you are.

Bette stared back at Tina and just said, All you gotta do is lead the way, T.

“And so I will” she replied as she reached for Bette’s hand, guiding them towards their future.