Fan Fiction
This story has been set to a rating of PG. Age verification is required to proceed.
Delayed Reaction Chapter 7
Login to add story to favorites
(7 votes, average: 4.86 out of 5)You need to be a registered member to rate this post.
Loading ...
Bette sighed as she stood. She squeezed Tina’s hand before she let go. She then leaned over and kissed the top of Tina’s head. ”I’m going to go change.” She turned and walked out of the den.
A tear moved down Tina’s face as she followed Bette walking away with her eyes.
******
Next Morning
As Tina drove down the freeway heading towards Alice’s and Nat’s house, she noticed how empty the roads were. Bette had mentioned how strange things felt when she was downtown, but Tina wasn’t expecting this odd unsettled feeling. She turned off the highway and immediately noticed again how the streets were mostly empty as were the sidewalks, except for people standing in line at food and liquor stores. The poor weather aided in the ominous feeling she got as she continued driving. Bette, Tina and Shane recently were talking about how people were treating this situation like a staycation, drinking excessively and eating large amounts of junk food, something they tried not to indulge in themselves.
As she slowly made her way down the city streets, she pondered last night’s conversation she had with Bette. Tina was speechless when she looked at the picture Bette brought back from the gallery. The resemblance to her was uncanny. The comment about Bette having a type was meant as a joke to lighten things a bit, but there was truth in it for sure. Tina gripped the steering wheel as she continued to think. It was clear that this little quest was bringing up Bette’s history, some of which Tina didn’t know much about. In the 20 plus years that they had known each other, Bette rarely talked about her time at Yale. She knew about Bette and Kelly. Kit had told her about what had happened between them, but Kit never mention that Tina resembled one of Bette’s ex-girlfriends.
It was troubling how Bette’s past was weaving into their past as a couple. They had come so far, sorted through so much that had lead to their separation. Things were different now, more stable as a result of open and honest communication. Tina no longer worried about entering into a difficult and emotional conversation ready to defend herself. Last night proved they could talk through the hard stuff, be vulnerable with each other and trust that they would still be okay. But this quest concerned her. It was stirring up things in a manner that was unexpected and difficult to navigate for both of them.
Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Happy to see this chapter. Nothing like a global pandemic to put things in perspective as well as bring fears and regrets to the surface. I’m glad that Tina and Alice are okay. As for Bette and Tina I was worried about that photo of Laura but it seems like it’s not going to become an issue. Glad they are communicating. I really liked this passage:
“The only thing that will separate us is death and I don’t plan on that happening for quite a long time.” Bette paused as she tried to formulate the words that would convey the depth of her love. ”And.. when that happens, I will find you in heaven and if we are resurrected, my soul will search for yours to the ends of the earth.” Bette paused as a smile rose to her face. ”You’re stuck with me.”
Post again soon.
Billy
I really loved that passage as well! It deeply touched my heart!
Yes its been a while happy you are continuing with this story and glad you intend to finish it.
I enjoyed thinking of Dana again. The worst decision made to have her die.
Please post again soon.
SG
Glad to see Bette and Tina attempting to talk to each other a bit more. Now, if they can be brave enough to show the hurt by Bette and the guilt by Tina for all their problems to each other, they may can actually put this period of their life into the rear view mirror. Sometimes, the worst feelings can dissipate into the either if you just air it out and allow the pain and guilt just merge together. Once they see that the other really sees what the other experiencing, then forgiveness and the ability to move on will be an automatic. The need to bring it up diminishes because they both know the emotions attached to this period of time. Bette will know Tina regrets her actions and Tina knows the pain Bette went through and they have both forgiven each other and themselves. They come much closer once Tina has her visit with Alice. Life is short and there is no reason to carry unresolved conflicts. Bette and Tina have a real opportunity to be closer and to resolve all their issues. For the most part, they just need to accept each other for who they are and love them no matter what.
Thank you for the chapter…. I look forward to Bette and Tina acting as a team during this Covid mess and making a life partnership which will be satisfying and long lived. I want them to find this painting with the help of James.
This is a really good comment. And good advice as well.
Good comment! You said it all and a great advice!
Hi SuperK,
I will always wait patienly for a update! I really enjoy your story and it’s defiantly worth the wait!
My heart breaks for Alice, it’s hard to come to terms with the death of Dana especially when she died so young and was / is the love of your life. I am glad that Alice has a new love who understand her grieve and she has close friends that are there for her to support her. It’s good that Tina visited her, the close friendship they had and are now getting back is good to see.
And i love how Bette and Tina open up to each other and master the thing that’s called communicating.
Please Bette, call the doctor, the head aches are worrying me.
I hope you are able to update soon!
Thank you for the chapter!
Well, i’m glad that Tina decided don’t make a big deal from that fact that Laura was very similar to her.
Interesting what the deal with Bette’s headache.
SK- some wise comments here. So glad you are continuing this story. Take as long as you need to write, it is a compelling story. I love the description Billy referenced about them finding each other in heaven. Is Bette’s headache a precursor to covid? I hope not. Interesting to read this playing out given where we are now as a country and the still lingering impact of the virus. Post Soon!
Hi SuperK! I have just read the whole story and thought I’d save my thoughts on all the chapters for this one comment, to try and be less annoying :-)
First, thank you so much for writing a story that has Covid in it. Having watched This Is Us and seen how they integrated the pandemic, I think more TV shows should have done that, including Gen Q. I wish I’d included it in my recaps. So great decision, in my book anyway.
Intriguing backstory about what went down with WP – Bette definitely should’ve levelled with Tina about that. In some ways, though, I think it’s quite realistic that she might still be prone to these old bad habits of hoping she can happy ‘on the cheap’ as it were, without doing all the work? But yeah, Kelly twisting the situation so that she was the victim of Bette’s predation… that’s warped.
James, James, James… I love seeing James being treasured rather than abused by Bette!
The leaving the light on for each other is a sweet detail and indicates that level of caring we have always been starved of with these two on the show. Sweet mirroring of the OG scene with T taking B’s glasses off too.
I love your sense of history of the framily. That was such a huge part of the OG and it’s lovely to see it honoured and spoken of in this story.
I loved this: “She had no sense of sacrifice, at least not now, of having given up something she loved, but rather of having traded if for something different.” Beautiful.
Ah, a glimpse of what might have happened with Alice and Tasha! Tasha ended it, and unresolved grief over Dana was a factor? That is both plausible and heartbreaking. And I really love how sensitive and supportive Tina is towards Alice – that is exactly what I’d expect. Your gorgeous line: “Sometimes being a friend is not solving a problem it is bearing witness.” And their friendship chemistry: “There was something about Alice and her unfiltered approach to life that attracted the free spirited Tina.” Accurate, and beautifully put.
Your description of what Kit being gone means was terrific: “Bette and Tina were like the Ying and Yang for each other, which may have been why they worked so well together as a couple. Her absence during their separation left an emotional void for both Bette and Angie. A void that Tina hadn’t recognized until she returned and had to deal with both her girls being emotionally strung out by the loss of Kit and her absence.”
One thing I don’t think I’ll ever agree with Bette (or you?) on is Tina’s red hair! Glad B likes it, though…
Things I’m wondering about at this point (apart from the missing painting)…..
Will we get to hear more detail about how B&T reconciled???
What’s the dealio with B’s headaches???
Will Alice be able to resolve her grief in a way that strengthen her bond with Nat?
It’s interesting that the story changed title and you said it was proving more complex than you first thought. I can see that happening very clearly, having read it in one sitting. I think this can happen so easily when you sit down with such rich characters. I’m along for the ride, wherever it goes…
argh, SORRY FOR THE EPIC COMMENT! But thank you for such an interesting and slightly different Tibette story. :-)
Take care
Largo
Hey Largo
When I started LLL in was more angry about what GQ did. I was on a mission so to speak. When I was done, it was like, I like these two and want to continue their story. The two short stories came from that thought. As I finished those two shorts, I had another idea brewing about a new book. The WP story was a small part in LLL but it really gave a lot of room to build a story around.
I too wanted GQ to add COVID, I personally think it allows for an interesting platform to work from as the greater story unfolds. These characters are so rich with history but yet a gap that begs to be filled in to get a greater understanding of what got them to where they are with their journey in life.
Their reconciliation, like COVID is more background but will play a bigger roll as the story progresses. I really wanted to do something different, still a love story, but more to it. Like in life the love we have for our spouse is always over arching the daily ups and downs.
I am still building but the story will start moving quicker once I get everyone past the first summer of COVID. The lost painting will be fun to explore as the story progresses.
Thanks for reading
K