It had been awhile since Bette chopped vegetables. Yet here she was now, chopping away while her girlfriend peeled potatoes. Since that night a week ago when they stopped before they could have ***** things grew again to the comfort zone retained earlier. It felt so domestic in the way Bette cut up the green peppers, standing at her counter with another person beside her. In fact Bette was so caught up in the moment the knife slipped and she cut her thumb. Yelling out curses Bette jumped up and down brandishing the knife. Tina quickly brought a wet cloth over and put it over Bettes thumb. Dragging her away from the counter they sat at the table. Tina smiled, you sure dont cook for yourself right? Bette admitted that her kitchen was rather neglected. Even though the pain was cutting being near Tina made Bette relax. It was wonderful having her hands on Bettes; healing herat least thats what it felt like. In fact it felt like Tina was healing Bette inside, her heart had been wounded ages ago when her mom died and since then Bette had worked so hard to build concrete and wire around it thatthat Tina was now chipping away. It wasnt until Tina spoke again did Bette realize she was talking to her.Bettedo you always have such a weak stomach? For a second Bette didnt know what Tina was talking about, when she did Bette laughed. Yeah her entire life Bette had had a very weak stomach. Especially around you Tina.she looked down, Tina asked if she made Bette want to puke. Bette was horrified, Tina had totally misunderstood herno no no no she meant that Tina made her stomach sick with butterflies. Tina smiled coylyyou mean did she make Bette nervous? At that moment it dawned on her, it was actually articulated in Bettes mind.she was in love with Tina. Of course it scared the ***** out of Bette. How did this happen? How had she become so undone? The world seemed to open up with thousands of possibilities, what if she had never met Tina, what would Bette be doing. Even as the thought came Bette knew the answer. She would be doing exactly the same thing as a couple years ago. She would be going to work, developing her gallerywhile to fulfill herself and her bed Bette would be taking home people to ***** and let go. It had always been that way, she felt safe that way. And now with this woman before her Bette knew that anything was possible, she could refuse to see Tina ever again or she could take that plunge.

While these feeling tore itself through Bette, Tina peeled away a band aid. She wondered what Tina was thinking right now, after Bette had told her she made her nervous. However it was silent while Tina was putting the band aid on, Bette held out her hand while her leg became numb. She had been sitting on it funny and as the tingling started Bette squirmed around. Quietly Tina asked if she had to go peeBette guffawed and said no her leg was tingly from being asleep. And then a mischievous grin appeared on Tinas face, but before before she could Bette knew what was going onjumping up Bette ran away from Tina who chased her around the living room. The tingling started to change and now every time Bette moved those weird sensation shot up her leg and Bette wincedTina caught her and soundly rapped her legthe resulting sensation made her crumple to the floor. Tina went with her and laughing big belly laughs she pinned Bettes arms on the groundtheres no way im letting you get me back. Bette smiled up at hertemporarily overcome from her leg and this woman above her. Tina bent a little and kissed Bette lightly on the lips. Then sinking beside her to rest the two of them lay on the floor catching their breath. Happiness was coursing through Bettes veins, she felt like her life was being shared with anothers. At that thought Bette turned on her side and looked at Tinathen she spoke while the tips of her fingers caressed Tinas handTina.have you ever eaten artichoke? Murmuring Tina said no she hadnt, she could never figure out how to get at the inside. Bette cleared her throat and with her chest hammering told Tina how. You have to peel away at the layersmake sure you dont manhandle it though because it will destroy whats inside of ityou have to peel away until you get to the inside. Tina asked what was on the inside..Bette softly said with tears in her eyes, the heart Tina. The heart is inside.