Tina sat wondering how this conversation turned into a light argument. And how long had she been missing Bette’s feelings. Had she really not seen that Bette was reaching out for her the entire time they were together? This is in no way how she thought this conversation was gonna go. Tina got up after sitting and letting the argument settle in. She walked in the house and found Bette sitting in the living room on the floor looking at some old photos. Tina took a seat on the couch so as not to intrude on what looked like happy memories.

Bette startled Tina when she said "This is the photo I talked to my dad about the other night." she held up a photo of a much younger Melvin asleep with a newborn Bette cradled in his arms asleep as well. "This is the first photo my mother ever took of me."

"You’re beautiful." Tina said as her eyes fell from the photo to the ones scattered on the floor. "Your mom took all these photos?" Bette just nodded her head in response. In the photos there was shots of Bette smiling and a few of just her sleeping some were just of her doing something simple only a mother could appreciate. Tina was looking at the photos and she was overwhelmed at how much of Bette’s life was in these photos. She also felt sad, because in no way was her childhood this precious to Vanessa. Bette heard the sniffle come from behind her and she noticed Tina was crying. She rose from the floor and sat down next to Tina.

"I’m sorry baby. I know that you really try to open up to me as much as you can. It just hurt sometimes when I don’t get all of you in return, ya know. But I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make you cry."

"I wanted to tell you about me and Vanessa, I really did. I wanted your advice, your strength and your arms around me telling me everything was gonna be alright. But it was something I had to do on my own. I had to…" Tina struggled, but Bette rubbed her back to encourage her to continue, "free myself, for myself, by myself." Tina finished and released the breath that she held for what seemed like an eternity. "You know it was never my intention to hurt you or to lie to you baby. I just couldn’t see anything past myself. Ya know, focused on the shadow, with my back turned to the light, to intelligent to see it’s me in the way." Tina said with a small giggle. The look on Bette’s face told Tina that reference was lost on her.

"Lauryn Hill, "Oh Jerusalem…" Bette was still lost to the reference. "Never mind." Tina said dropping her head and smiling.

"Baby can you answer one question for me?" Bette turned to Tina and took both her hands into her own as she waited for her answer. Tina just nodded hoping the question wouldn’t be to painful to answer.

"Were you ever happy with me?"

"I was always happy with you, baby. Just not with myself." Tina said with a somber voice.

"And now?"

"I’m getting there. This helps, you help. But I’m sorry I hurt you." Tina said looking into Bette’s forgiving eyes hoping she would accept her apology.

Bette caressed Tina’s face taking in the softness of her silky skin, the contours of her cheek, the gentle way her eyes awaited her answer and cupped it saying "That’s ok. I’m sorry you were hurting. I love you baby."

"I love you too." Tina said through tears.

TBC……………………………………