“Bette, that’s really not necessary. You’ll be backtracking from West Hollywood.”

“I don’t mind. Really it would be an honor to escort you.”

“OK fine. Then you better leave now.” Tina said checking the time. “I need to be there by 5:30 to meet with the committee. The dinner starts at 6:00.

“I’ll be back no later than 4:45p. That should give us plenty of time even with traffic.”
Bette stood up to leave, and Tina offered to walk her out. Going back inside Bette gathered her purse and clothes from the closet. She’d put her shoes in the car earlier when she’d changed into sandals. She excused herself for a few minutes to use the bathroom then joined Tina at the front door.

Tina was looking out to the driveway where Bette had parked. She still couldn’t get used to the idea of the stylish Bette Porter driving an SUV, but she too had traded her sedan for a BMW SUV that was parked in the garage. Buying new family friendly cars was just the beginning of some of the lifestyle changes that would come with having a child.

After dropping her things on the passenger seat, Bette walked over to Tina and took both hands in hers. “Thank you for being here for me today Tina. I couldn’t have gotten through today without my best friend. I don’t deserve it, but I’m so grateful for your compassion and caring. I love you T.”
Bette and Tina embraced and shared a chaste kiss before Bette got into her vehicle and headed home to change, only to return in a couple of hours to drive Tina to the awards ceremony.

Tina went back inside and headed to the bedroom where she’d hung the garment bag that had been delivered earlier. She unzipped it, and admired the gown. It was very beautiful, but Tina still felt uncomfortable wearing such an extravagance to an event honoring her for community service. It was pretentious and it just wasn’t her style.

“Screw it.” She said out loud and zipped up the garment bag. She entered her walk-in closet and pulled out the gown that she’d intended to wear before Helena insisted on buying her something new. It was perfect for the occasion and it didn’t cost a month’s salary.

She hung the dress on the closet door, pulled out the shoes and evening bag then went to her dresser to find the right jewelry to complement it. Once she had all the accessories, she gathered her underwear and headed to the bathroom to fill the tub with lavender scented bubble bath. She got in closed her eyes and relaxed against the bath pillow.

Tina replayed some of the conversation that she’d had with Bette about Melvin. She hated to see how much Bette craved attention and emotional support from a father that just never showed the capacity to give it freely. She would never want to be the reason for Bette to break off a relationship with her father, but the issue was bigger than her. Tina didn’t think that Melvin had anything against her personally. She knew from Bette, that Melvin had expressed the same disdain for all her previous girlfriends.

Tina didn’t have any previous girlfriends as she had only dated men before Bette, but considering how her own family reacted when she told them that she’d fallen for a woman it was probably best that she never brought Bette home to meet them. Her family was just as close-minded and bigoted as Melvin and worse it wasn’t just her father. Her mother and two siblings all took on a holier than thou attitude and disowned her. Tina had not had any contact with any of them in 10 years. Melvin was a prick, but at least he had stuck around for his younger daughter even if he wasn’t a model for father of the year