Whats up, T? asked Alice.

Huh? she replied, looking up from the now cool cup of coffee that she was cradling in her hands.

Well, lets see said Alice. Weve been sittin here for 30 minutes now and all that has come from you have been in the form of one syllable grunts.

Tina sighed in exasperation, placing the coffee cup on the table.

Shane sat in silence as they waited for Tinas answer.

Dana walked in just at that moment and plopped down onto one of the vacant chairs.

Hey she said, looking at everyone around the table.

Hey Alice responded.

Whats wrong? asked Dana, immediately sensing tension at the table.

Thats what were waiting to hear responded Alice.

Tina looked up, trying to figure out how to answer Alices question.

Its Bette she finally said.

Alice raised an eyebrow and said, We coulda figured that one out on our own, sweetie.

Tina said nothing in response as she played with the handle of her coffee cup.

Its just that she started, pausing to collect her thoughts. Its just that I feel like I never see her. I mean, I am so happy for her and for the success of the gallery, but I feel like I am dating a ghost, a figment of my imagination.

No one said anything as they had all noticed Bettes absence of late. The demands that had been placed on her as she attempted to open her own gallery were more than anyone would have imagined. It was not only long days, but had stretched into nights and weekends as well.

Im sorry, sweetie. I know its gotta be hard on you said Alice.

Its not just hard on me Tina quickly said. Shes exhausted. She looks haggard from spending all of her time at that ***** place she said with anger.

Do you see her at night? asked Dana.

Not unless I stop by the gallery Tina said. She is way too tired to come over to my place and I dont want to suggest that I just hang out at hers until she gets home. Something just seems a little pathetic about that.

Have yall ever talked about living together? asked Shane.

Oh God, no! came the immediate response from Tina. I think Bettes very foundation would tremble and crack at the mere mention.

Alice laughed at Tinas answer and said, I gotta give you that one, T.

How long have you two been together now? asked Dana.

10 months came the reply.

Hmmm said Dana, pondering her answer.

Is living together something that would interest you? asked Shane.

Well, yeah, I mean, I have certainly thought about it. I just dont know how Bette would respond.

Aside from her very foundation trembling and cracking? laughed Alice.

Exactly said Tina, a small smile finally emerging on her lips.

Why dont you get her all liquored up and just pop the question? asked Shane.

Oh, thats great Shane. Get Bette drunk, ask her to move in and then the next morning not even remember the conversation? laughed Alice.

Well, at least shell answer you honestly, right? Couple cocktails and all the truth comes out, huh?

I think that we can do a little better than that said Alice. Now, just how to trap Ms. Porter Alice muttered.

Alice, I dont want to trap Bette Tina said in frustration. I would really just like to explore the possibility of our living together so that I can at least see her for more than 15 hours a week she explained.

Live together? Trap? Whats the difference, T? asked Alice.

Youre really a pain in the *****, you know that? said Tina as she stood to leave.

What? Im just trying to help.

Maybe I could get her drunk and then trap her Tina said sarcastically as she gathered her things. Dr. Phil and Oprah yall are not.

If we were, which one would I be? asked Alice. Dr. Phil or Oprah?

Tina rolled her eyes at Alices question and turned to leave.

I think that Id wanna be Oprah said Shane.

No way! cried Alice. She has all the money is the last comment Tina heard as she walked out the door.

As she got to her car, she reached in her bag for her cell phone. Hitting speed dial #1, she heard the phone ring and then Sharon pick up.

The Bette Porter Gallery

Sharon? Hey, its Tina.

Tina, hey there. How are you doing?

Pretty good, just looking for my girlfriend.

Well, Im gonna have to put you into her voicemail as she is on a conference call that includes representation from 3-4 different countries.

Well, no surprise there sighed Tina. I guess if I cant have the real thing, Ill just have to settle for a recorded version.

Sharon chuckled and said, Ok, just hold on while I connect you and have a good day Tina.

Thanks, you too she quickly added.

After a few seconds, she heard Bettes voice asking for a message to be left. After the beep, Tina said, Hey baby, its me. I just wanted to see how you were doing and to let you know that I was thinking of you. I just had coffee with the 3 Stooges and that led to a great desire to talk to a sane and sensible person, namely you. Ok, thats it I guess. I would really like to spend some time with you Bette. Lets figure something out. I love you and really miss you. Bye baby.

As she hung up, she couldnt help but wonder how long it would take for Bette to call her back.

This relationship with Bette was like nothing that she had ever experienced before. She knew that she had fallen in love with Bette at first sight and the fact that Bette was a woman was not what threw her, it was the insanely intense feelings that she had for her.

As they had only been dating for 10 months, Tina still had that raw need to be with Bette as much as possible, problem being, The Bette Porter Gallery.

When they had first met, Tina knew that Bettes lifestyle was different than hers, but she thought that she could tame Bette a bit, and at first, she had. But here she was, ten months later, feeling like she was single.

Somethings gonna have to give she said out loud.

Tina knew that she could be flexible and that she had been flexible, but this was getting ridiculous. She was secure in the knowledge that Bette loved her, but she needed more from Bette than what she was currently getting.

***** she muttered as she tapped her fingers on her steering wheel.

Bette, Bette, Bette, Bette, Bette she said, slowly shaking her head.





Later that night as Tina lay in bed, she flipped through a magazine, not really absorbing any of the contents on the pages that she was turning. Her earlier thoughts concerning Bette were absorbing every available brain cell. She jumped slightly at the sound of her phone ringing.

Reaching for it quickly, she saw the number on the caller ID and couldnt help the smile that spread across her face.

Hi baby she said into the phone.

Hey T came the tired response.

You sound exhausted, baby she said in a worried voice.

Well, theres a reason for that, T Bette said.

Yeah?

Yeah she said.

So, baby, how was your day, or should I even ask that question?

Long, T. Long and tiring. I swear to God, I feel like I am never going to get ahead of all of the ***** that I have to get done she said, sounding defeated.

Is there anything that I can do? she whispered.

Just be there at the other end of the phone smiled Bette.

We can do better than that, Bette she said seriously.

What, be there at the other end of the e-mail? she teased.

Im serious Bette she sternly said.

I can hear that replied Bette.

I think that we need to talk, baby Tina softly said to her.

She heard Bette exhale in exhaustion and said, Does it need to happen right now, Tina?

No, but it needs to happen, Bette.

Ok, how bout this weekend?

Bette, its only Tuesday! Tina exclaimed.

Well what works for you then?

Uh, I dont know, tomorrow, Thursday, Friday even she answered with sarcasm.

Bette remained silent, letting Tina exercise the anger in her voice.

T, look she began.

No Bette, you look she angrily said. I have not seen you since Saturday night and here you are suggesting that we wait to get together until this weekend? she asked incredulously.

That is bullshit Bette and you know it!

Bette said nothing, just listened to her irritated girlfriend, halfway expecting this conversation. She knew that Tina did not get angry often, but when she did, it was best to just keep quiet and allow her to get it out of her system.

God damnit, Bette! Tina said as she pushed the covers to the side so that she could get out of bed to pace around her bedroom. She was trying to control her emotions as she felt the tears begin to well in her eyes.

I mean, what the *****? Do I have to ***** beg to get some of your attention? Do I need to become an artist to get you to return my calls, perhaps be a famous museum curator to have a meal with you? she said, anger and frustration evident in her voice.

Bette continued to just sit there, waiting for Tina to calm down.

Bette, last time I checked, I was your girlfriend and along with that, came a few perks, such as seeing you more than once a week, having ***** more than a couple of times a month, sharing an intimate evening together more than every once in a while she said, tears now rolling down her face.

Need I continue? she said, anger beginning to leave her voice.

No came the weak reply from the other end of the line.

I didnt think so Tina said as she sat down on the side of her bed.

Do you have anything to say? Tina asked after a moment of silence.

Of course I have something to say Bette answered quickly. I just dont really know what that is she admitted.

Well then, why dont you just call me when you do know what that is Tina replied in anger, frustrated that Bette couldnt verbalize whatever it was that was going through her mind.

Im going to bed, Bette.

T- wait Bette quickly said, trying to catch her before she hung up.

What? she said, finding it hard to hide her exasperation.

Can I see you tomorrow?

When? came the short reply.

You tell me. What works for you?

Bette, you and I both know that that is a pointless exercise. Your day will be completely full and so whatever I suggest will not be available.

Try me she smiled.

Lunch she challenged.

Uh shoot, I already have plans

BETTE! she screamed into the phone, trying hard not to laugh.

Gotcha! chuckled Bette.

Why do I put up with you? smiled Tina.

Cause I am the love of your life and you would be nothing without me she answered.

Oh please she said with sarcasm, trying to cover the fact that Bette had hit the nail on the head, she would be nothing without her.

Ok, because you are absolutely deranged and wish to spend your life with a woman who is a deplorable ***** to the one person that she knows that she could never live without?

Thats more like it she laughed.

I knew that I would get it at some point chuckled Bette.

So, lunch? asked Tina.

Lunch, T

What time?

Whatever time you get there said Bette.

You make it really hard to stay mad at you, you know that?

I have to have something working in my favor laughed Bette.

You have a little more than just that working in your favor, baby chuckled Tina.

Oh yeah? Like what?

Im going to bed, Bette she laughed.

Cmon, T. Just one? Give me just one other thing that I have going in my favor she begged.

My absolute love and adoration she whispered. You have that going for you.

AhNow I can sleep tonight whispered Bette.

Good night, baby

Night, T