Fan Fiction
This story has been set to a rating of PG. Age verification is required to proceed.
Climbing Down the Ladder Chapter 6
Login to add story to favorites
(6 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)You need to be a registered member to rate this post.
Loading ...
Bette smiled, she loved having someone as enthusiastic and determined as she was helping her to solve this mystery. ”In my trunk, we need a dolly.”
An hour later, all five boxes had been emptied and sorted. It appeared that whoever packed the boxes mixed Laura’s personal stuff in with her research. As James poured over the books, Bette found herself slowly examining the personal items, trying to capture some essence of the older Laura. Pictures and keepsakes had been mixed in with the books. Some items brought a smile to Bette’s face as she remembered certain things that Laura liked, but she hardly recognized the face in the pictures. Memories of a time so long ago and of a person that had such a huge impacted on the course of her life flooded her mind. An understanding of this impact only came with the distance that time can only give you. It was Laura who was the first to notice and encourage Bette’s natural artistic eye and instinct for good pieces of art. Although Bette never developed any actual artistic ability herself, she could recognize budding talent in others at an early age. Bette smiled to herself as she recalled the many intimate conversations, some of which were after making love but others on the roof top of her apartment, their secret place. They would talk all night revealing their inmost thoughts and dreams, Bette could almost smell the jasmine that bloomed that spring. Laura had told her that research and teaching was a waist of her talent and that she should strive for something that would have more impact in the Art World. It was only now as she reflected on those conversations that she realized how unconsciously she took Laura’s advise.
Bette held a picture on her lap. She clenched and unclenched her free hand rhythmically as she sat in thought. She could see out the window from her chair, gazing out but not really seeing anything. It had stopped raining and the clouds momentarily parted to reveal a pale blue sky; then another cloud appeared, obscuring it with gray.
Bette leaned forward and placed the picture in her hand back in the box that sat on the table in front of her. She then slowly leaned back in her chair. She sat there not moving, listening to the sound of rustling pages as James looked through a book. It had been a very long time since she dissected her relationship with Laura, but she found herself doing it regularly since the delivery of the package. It was her first real healthy romantic relationship. Bette had suffered greatly at the hands of Kelly, although their relationship never got past a friendship. She stayed away from all relationships after she finally mentally recovered from Kelly’s controlling behaviors and emotional abuse. Kelly was a master manipulator. She leaned on positive reinforcement primarily to control Bette, however, most often if positive reinforcement didn’t work her go to was psychological punishment. It wasn’t like Bette was a walking victim, but her family history did leave her some what vulnerable. Although Kelly was Laura’s friend, Laura was not naïve to the abusive behaviors Kelly used in her relationships. During their time together Laura was very supportive and understanding of what had happened between Kelly and Bette. Laura was stronger when it came to Kelly and made it a point of never giving Kelly a chance to direct her abuse toward her. But, Bette knew that Kelly had said and done things that impacted Laura’s standing at Yale. When Bette and Laura’s relationship ended so abruptly, Kelly quickly came to Laura’s side. Bette never understood Laura’s reasoning for allowing Kelly back into her life, anymore than she did years later. Bette submitted her Thesis soon after and left Yale to never return until the day Tina and Bette took Angie for a tour. Bette never made inquires about Laura, there was no need, that part of her life was a closed book. Thoughts of her past kept swirling through her head as she sat thinking about Kelly, Laura and Tina, trying to understand the reasoning behind her decision to allowed Kelly back into her life. Maybe it was the false belief that Kelly had changed or maybe it was her overwhelming desire to get back into owning a gallery. Either way, she did not recognize the pattern of behaviors that were similar to those all those years ago. The only thing she did know was that she made the conscious decision to not ask about Laura. The more she thought about Kelly, the more she realized that Kelly simply didn’t care about consequences or that her actions could hurt someone. She smiled to herself as the image of Tina facing off with Kelly came to mind. Tina did not say much about the exchange, but based on what the professor said, it was not pretty. She may come across as sweet and innocent but Bette has seen the protective Tina side and it is a force to be reconnected with for sure. Kelly had no chance, she thought as her smile grew.
Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Bette going to Starbucks which I am surprised is even open? Meeting James at the office after he probably had COVID? And at a time when little is known about the transmissibility and the possibility of a relapses ? Really? And under state ordered quarantine? Why not split the boxes and take them home and stay home? Communicate by telephone? At that time, it was unknown whether a mask was adequate to keep you safe. That was the reason for the quarantine…to keep people from exposing other people and reduce transmission possibilities. Bette could have reviewed the contents of the boxes in her own home. Scanned, emailed, and talked to James via zoom or cell. Did she not have a home office?
We get lots of information on Laura. A relationship which was over more than 20 years ago and whom Bette has not seen since. Now Laura is dead and she leaves this mystery for Bette to follow up on. No personal problem there…. What is Kelly up to? The problem which I see is that the problems with Kelly were faced by Bette at the same time she was having problems with Tina and therefore faced those alone. If Bette and Tina have worked through their problems, these kinds of things need to be acknowledged and forgiven and move on. Tina did not cause the problems with Kelly…. Tina was responsible for her behavior during the breakup…. If Bette has any maturity at all, which she does show in this chapter, directing her anger at Tina as a result of Kelly is not conducive to a healthy secure relationship going forward… Bette needs to get to the bottom of what Kelly is up to, and nip it in the bud. She might even ask for Tina’s help in the matter. The best way to survive the Covid Quarantine is to have a project in which everyone in the household makes a contribution in bringing to fruition. It promotes bonding, keeps the brain active and engaged, and fills the time voids. Its not rocket science. This search of the mystery painting is a perfect vehicle….for such a project. There is going to be two or three weeks minimum to fill? Why not make it a family project?
But now that mystery central is at the Bette’s office… well Tina, Angie, and Shane will be excluded from this project. Too bad….
Thanks for the chapter…
Thanks for the chapter….
Martha
A lot going on for sure. And I agree, Bette and Tina need to sit and have a serious talk at least to prepare Tina for what could happen if Kelly comes around again.
As far as Covid, People experienced different things and attitudes at different times. I honestly believe most decisions were up for debate.
Glad you are hanging in for the long haul.
K
Thank you for the chapter!
Now i’m very interesting in Tina reaction when she found out about Laura’s resemblance to her. I don’t think she liked that fact. Because if i was her – i would asking Bette about why she liked Tina in first? On the first meeting in gallery? Only because that resemblance? And later – it was Tina with whom Bette fallen in love, or just Laura’s doppelganger?
And Bette’s defensive reaction when James pointed the fact about resemblance seems proved some of this assumption.
Z
I think the resemblance thing was a surprise to both Bette an Tina. It will be interesting to see how Tina reacts.
K
Good points Zhenya. I think the resemblance will be problematic, for both Bette & Tina.
A good chapter – but still lots of questions. There is still much to learn & reasons for people’s actions.
Bette needs to explain to Tina all about Kelly’s actions/behaviors & then they need to deal with it to move forward. Bette should definitely ask Tina for help with finding out Kelly’s motivation & put a stop to it ASAP.
Concerned here about Covid & Bette’s actions – taking risks she should maybe be avoiding with the uncertainties of the virus????
Good to see James is recovering & his infection has no serious side effects at the moment.
Then the mystery of Laura’s & Tina’s resemblance to each other. Coincidence????? Bette’s type????? How will Tina react???? How is this going to affect Bette as well????
Nice job with the intrigue.
Keep it coming.
Thanks so much
Collins
OMG a Tibette mystery is proving to be fun to unfold and along the way get a little history of Bette’s early years.
COVID will prove to be challenging for our girls. Lots of decisions to be made to protect their family but live their lives as best they can. A challenge we all faced in this last year.
K
Hey SuperK.
I am so happy with the Tibette fanfic writers, especially after seeing those trailers. It make me want to hide and burry myself in the Tibette stories, far away from the bullshit GQ tries to sell us.
So much mystery to unravel, the biggest being Laurel and Kelly. I feel for Bette, the past comes back and not in a positive way like Kelly, but she does have fond memories of Laurel.
Bette has quite a bit of thinking to do and how and what she’s going to tell Tina, but the most important thing is that she talks to Tina and together banish that bitch Kelly from their lives once and for all. Kelly is up to something and won’t rest until she gets what she wants and if she can hurt Bette and Tina too, she certainly won’t let that happen.
The resemblance between Tina and Laurel is honestly not something I care about. I really don’t believe Bette was into Tina because she looks so much like Laurel. Sure, it’s just a coincidence, but I really don’t think Bette was thinking about Laurel when she met Tina. She had buried her past with Laurel and as far as I know Bette didn’t think about her until she got the package.
So glad James is recovering from Covid but I didn’t think it was very wise of him and Bette to meet up even though they were both wearing masks. This virus is one that we can’t get rid of for the time being. Look at the Delta variant that now causes a lot of infections in my country. From 500 infections per day to more than 12,000 per day in 10 days.
Thank you for the update! Stay safe and stick to the measures!
I agree with you Bibi…. Bette hardly recognizes the older Laurel in the pictures she sees early in the chapter. That would indicate that she certainly has no resemblance to Tina just before her death. Laurel was approximately 3 or 4 years older than Bette. If she had a resemblance at one time, she certainly did not later in her life…
Looks attract a person…. its the personality and who that person is who you fall in love with. We all know people who are attractive but who’s personality is so repulsive that you wouldn’t date them for any reason.
A relationship does not last for two decades based upon a certain look or a type…
Bette didn’t even recognize Laura in that older picture. Nothing can diminish the love and spark and connection created when Bette and Tina first met. No worries there. And Kelly is no threat. Tina is back and interested and present for Bette. Now Bette just needs to realize that Kelly has no power. None!! Just a little bump in the road. Now find that painting and stay safe. By the way…How is Angie’s friend?
I agree with you too BiBi.
Bette needs to talk to Tina and reassure her that their relationship is their focus and her priority. She does not need to explain Kelly’s actions, she does not answer for Kelly. Kelly and Laura should be non issues and have no power to hurt, I don’t see either as a credible threat given how long it has been and that the two main characters are talking and wanting to be together.
They have enough to deal with now that covid is here and the mystery painting is becoming more and more intriguing. Thanks SK –
Ditto, BK and Bibi.
Ditto
I agree with all three of you!
I also agree but it’s Bette and Tina, nothing is ever easy with these two …