“I’m so glad you came today,” Bette told her.  “Do you think you could have dinner with me again?”

“I’d love to,” Tina answered.  “But this time it’s my turn.  Can you  come to my place tomorrow night, Sunday?  It won’t be very fancy, but I’d like to return your hospitality if you don’t mind…”

“I’d love to come,” Bette said warmly.  They decided on a time, and Tina got out of the car and went inside.  Bette watched her go.  She had desperately wanted to touch her in some way, but hesitated.  She drove home slowly, her mind full of the young blonde.  There was something so sweet about her, something fresh and very attractive.  Was she gay? Bette wondered.  She devoutly hoped so, but she knew she wanted Tina in her life, if only as a friend.  She made a decision to tread very carefully.

Sunday night rolled around eventually.  Bette arrived at the agreed time, bringing a bottle of good wine.  She climbed the stairs to the third floor, stepping over students as she went.  Where did they all sleep, she wondered?  Tina met her at the top of the stairs, and Bette handed her the wine.  Tina giggled.  “We are eating on the ‘patio’,”  she informed Bette.  She took her hand and they climbed out the window onto a small flat place on the roof.  There was a tablecloth spread out on the ground, and pillows for them to sit on.

“I’ll be right back,” Tina said.  “I cooked in the communal kitchen…I hope nobody stole the food…”  It wasn’t long before Tina returned with a tray of lasagne.  A green salad was already sitting on the cloth, and Tina produced two mismatched glasses for the wine.

They enjoyed the food and conversation.  Bette found she simply enjoyed being in Tina’s company, and Tina seemed to feel the same.  The stars came out, and they sat close together as they finished the bottle of wine.  Tina began to slur her words…”I’m not used to wine,” she confessed.  “I think I need to lie down…”  Alarmed, Bette was afraid Tina would fall from this precarious perch, so she put her arm around her and helped her through the window.  Tina lay down on the single bed.  Bette wasn’t sure what to do. She removed Tina’s shoes and covered her with a blanket.  She stood looking down at her, feeling indecisive.

Probably I should just leave, she thought; then Tina reached up and took her hand.  “It’s late, don’t leave, stay with me,” she pleaded, and moved over as much as she could.  Bette lay down with her and took her into her arms.  Tina snuggled close and they found themselves exchanging a few kisses before Tina fell asleep with her head on Bette’s shoulder.  They slept together, fully clothed.  Bette enjoyed holding Tina in her arms;  she buried her face in her hair (it smelled so good!) and kissed her forehead before she too fell asleep.

They were still in each other’s arms when morning came.  Bette woke Tina with a kiss, and Tina smiled and returned it.  Suddenly she sat bolt upright.

“Omygod!  It’s ten to eight and I have a class at eight!”  She jumped out of bed, grabbed her backpack and tore out of the room. Bette heard  Tina pounding down three flights of stairs and the slam of the door.

Bette sat on the edge of the bed.  Tina didn’t have a cell phone (“can’t afford one”) and other than camping on her doorstep Bette had no way to contact her.  Whenever Tina phoned Bette she used a pay phone, so Bette would just have to wait, something she was unused to. She thought of the previous night, holding Tina, kissing her.  It had been lovely, in spite of the fact they were both fully dressed.   She scribbled a note and left it on Tina’s table:  “Please call me.”  She also left her phone number just in case Tina had mislaid it. She straightened the bed, and picked up the dirty dishes from last night’s supper and took them downstairs to the communal kitchen and washed them, leaving them in the dish rack.  Students were beginning to drift down the stairs in various states of undress, sleepy and looking for coffee, so she left. She hoped Tina would call.