CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Of course Alexandra wanted to know what the hell Bette was talking about, but she was wise enough to realise that now was the time for explanations. Now was the time for Bette to get rid of those ridiculous thoughts and as far as she knew, there was only one person who could do that.

She called Tina and briefly explained the situation. She heard the confusion and worry in Tina’s voice. She felt aweful for having to cut the woman short and just make her hurry to be here. 

She looked at Bette again, who was lying on her bed, staring at the wall as if there was a movie playing there. Her look was empty. Alexandra decided to text Louise to ask her to not return to the dorm tonight – Tina and Bette would need some time alone.

About twenty minutes later, the blonde Alexandra had met a few months ago, came barging in. She was so worried that she hadn’t even bothered to knock. Alexandra got up to close the door while Tina sat down next to Bette and threw her arms around her.

As Alexandra was getting ready to leave, Tina stopped her. She looked her in the eyes, seemingly searching for something. “Thank you,” she finally whispered. “Thank you.”

“She’s my friend, Tina, my best friend. But I can’t help her right now. Only you can.”

“We have a lot of explaining to do to you…”

“That can wait. Bette has to get some sense back first. You have to be there for her, you need some time alone. That’s all that mattters right now.”

“You’re a great friend, Alexandra.”

“So is Bette. She’d do the same thing for me.”

“Yeah, she would.”

“Well… good luck.”

“Thanks… for everything.

When Alexandra was gone, Tina went to lock the door. She stripped off her clothes until only her bra and panties were left. She turned around and saw that Bette had got up. She was now sitting on the bed, leaning against the wall. She looked at Tina in misery and pain.

Tina walked over to her and got Bette’s clothes off as well. She got them both under the blankets and then wrapped her entire body around Bette.

“Listen to me, baby. Alexandra has told me what happened, what you planned to do and why you wanted to do it.”

“I asked her not to.”

“I’m glad she didn’t listen to you. Listen to me very carefully, honey. I love you very much and I know that you feel the same way. I barely know your father, but after all, you did tell me a lot about him. What he was like and how he treated you. You also told me these things about your Mom. I can tell you that the only thing you inherited from Melvin was half of his skin colour and his stubornness, with that difference that you use it in a better way than he does. You are so unlike him.

Bette, you are a wonderful person. You have given me more love than anyone I have ever known, I feel safe with you and I feel proud to call you mine. It also feels so good when you’re showing me off to the few people you can show me off to. I love everything about you and I know you so well… you would never do what your father did. You don’t have it in you, you feel too much true, genuine love. I am not your trophy wife, you haven’t ever cheated on me and I will never cheat on you, not with a man and not with a woman. We’re made for each other, honey. He is an aweful man who ruined your life. Don’t you think you’ll end up like him, you’ll never turn that bitter and cruel. You couldn’t.”

Bette’s only response was pulling Tina closer, the first thing she had done to show that she even realised Tina’s presence.

Tina kissed the top of Bette’s head and placed her hand behind her neck so that she would rest her head in the nape of her neck.

It was very late at night when Bette said something for the first time.

“So, if I am more like my mom… does that mean you’re gonna kill me?” she aksed with a very small voice.

“That would only happen in orgasmic bliss, dear.”