“Fated” – Chapter Six – By Querida

True to her word, Tina phoned Bette every night.  The phone calls only made them miss each other all the more.  Bette thought Tina sounded tired, and it seemed to her they were throwing everything but the kitchen sink at her lover.  Tina agreed, but said she had expected that, and that they were testing her.  So far she had been able to keep up.  Bette was proud of her, but worried. 

After three weeks Bette couldn’t stand it any more, and booked a flight to New York.  She would only be able to spend a weekend there as there was a show coming up at her gallery; at any rate, Tina got very little time off and was at the studio’s beck and call.  She was staying at a boarding house with a few of the staff, and shared a bedroom with one of the girls, so Bette booked a room at a hotel.

Tina was waiting at the airport.  She was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, somewhat dirty and rumpled, having come directly from the set, but to Bette she looked glorious.  Bette took her to the hotel and ordered supper from room service.  Tina couldn’t wait to luxuriate in a hot shower as her boarding house was crowded and a little short on the amenities.  Clean and changed, she wrapped her arms around Bette and kissed her passionately.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she murmured in Bette’s ear.  Bette, on cloud nine because she was with her Tina, told her:  “I’ve missed you too, every minute, every hour…”  Room service interrupted their reunion, but their eyes were full of promises.

Bette just watched Tina eat, she seemed to be starving.  “You’re thin, baby,” she worried.

“Oh, they feed us very well on the set,” Tina told her.  “It’s just that they really work me hard.  It’s like boot camp or something.  The director, Aaron, really runs me ragged.”

“I’ll kill him,” Bette vowed; and anyone else who tries to hurt you…she was startled at how protective she felt, like a tigress defending her young.  Tina just laughed.

 “I’m learning so much, Bette.  It will be worth it.  I just hope I survive!”

“You have to survive!” Bette told her.  “I love you!”

“I love you too,” Tina told her softly.  “Let’s go to bed…”

Tina’s phone rang early Sunday morning.  Tina untangled herself from Bette’s arms and legs and  answered it.  Bette reached up and ran her index finger down Tina’s backbone and smiled when Tina shivered.  She put down the phone and turned to Bette.

“I have to go in, Bette,” she told her. “I’m so sorry…”

Bette choked back her disappointment.  “It’s ok, baby.  At least we had one good night.”

“It was a wonderful night,” Tina smiled.

A month later Bette made another trip to New York, combining it with business, as she had to see a few artists whom she planned to showcase.  Again the studio was demanding, but they enjoyed every precious minute they had together. They crammed a month of loving into each weekend, always aware that another parting was inevitable.  This time Tina  seemed more relaxed, and Bette noticed a certain confidence in her manner.

“You’re getting the hang of this,” Bette observed.

“Yeah, I’m beginning to find my feet,” Tina said.  “If it hadn’t been for you, I don’t think I would have made it.  This business is heartless, but I love it.  I felt you behind me all the way, Bette…”

Bette hugged her.  “Always, T, always.”