At work Tina called Bette. They had exchanged their cellphone number during their “no bullshit” lunch conversation. Bette was at her desk with her eyes getting bleary, looking at the computer all day was tiring. When her phone rang she looked at the number, unsure as to whether to answer it. Did Tina know about Bette hanging up? Did she? Bette didn’t know how to feel about it. Maybe she was having all these tense…feelings, of…jealousy, possession…worry about what the other thought because Tina was her first real friend? Well not first, of course Bette was popular in high school. But after high school she had always kept to herself and had only friendly aquiantances. Who knows, Bette didn’t know…she held her breath and decided to just go with the flow. At least it wasn’t Px calling, he called her like four *****’ times today already.

“Hi Tina”

“hey…….umm…do you want to do something, like i don’t know…today?”

“yeah i was just gonna call you about the japanese garden, it opened and it would be cool to check it out”

“aw yeah! i was wanting to go to that, i heard the garden is beautiful”

“so….when do you want to?”

“how about, well it closes at 6 so…get off work early and go at 4?”

“perfect, i’ll meet you there”

“right, is it ok if i bring my boyfriend”

“…………….sure”

“k bye”

“bye”

 When Bette hung up it was with a sinking feeling of utter disapointment. How could she tell Tina her “confession” about her lie if her stupid man was there? Bette felt relieved, this was righteous anger. she wanted a private moment with her friend to talk about stuff frriends talk about to come clean, if Tina brouhgt her boyfriend they would not have a friend moment of truth. YES!! Bette figured it out. She leaned into her chair looking up at the ceiling. Truly she was genius.

 Bette came a little late. She wanted too. She wanted to see Tina’s boyfriend, size him up. she parked the car and leaned lower looking at them, they were waiting by the entrance. Tina was there, beautiful as always. Bette blushed, she didn’t know why….and there was her boyfriend. Gawd he was handsome. Trim waist, dark skin, muscular…black short hair and svelte sculpted face. Bette felt her stomach sink, how could she compete with that? Bette opened the car door and slammed it. She was not competing with anyoone, this was just a friend trip. ***** Bette, get a hold of yourself, your becoming to attached.