Christmas Eve

Bette stared at the glowing lights that were wrapped around the evergreen, light bouncing off the circular ornaments and illuminating the novelty ones. She noticed one in particular, and stood up to get a closer look. “Baby’s first Christmas. For little Tina, we will always love you.” She cupped it in her hand, a small smile on her face as she regarded it. She had to smile, because it reminded her of why she was still here. But why was she here? Was it because of Tina? No, it was because of their child, Angelica. Angelica, whom she loved with all her heart. The way she thought she would always feel for Tina, but now… it was debatable. As if she had heard the last statement, Tina appeared from her bedroom, glass of champagne in hand.

“That was always ‘my ornament’. I was so proud of it, and I loved it. Even in my teen years, when I was going through my rebellious phase, I… I took good care of it, made sure it never broke even though I told my parents I didn’t care about it.” A smile appeared on her dimly lit features, the colors from the christmas lights playing across her face.

“Fascinating.” Bette replied dryly, taking her seat back on the couch and taking up her own glass of champagne.

Tina sighed and sat down next to her former girlfriend.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered.

“You sure as hell should be.” Bette countered, still straight-faced as ever. Hell, she looked almost… bored.

“It all happened so fast, you were gone, then he was there, then he was here, then you were here, too, and I-I don’t know what happened.” Tina whispered, contorting her face to show her confusion and frustration.

“I do.” Bette again replied.

“Please explain it to me, then.” Tina was practically begging. She thought it would’ve smoothed over by now, why hadn’t it smoothed over by now?

“You want to go back to men.” Bette said, face transfixed by the lights and hands clasping her glass so hard they were trembling.

“No! No, I don’t. I just want to go back to you, I…” Her pleading was interrupted by crying over the baby monitor.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, my child needs me.” Bette briskly stood up and walked away without a second glance toward the woman she’d once loved.