Tina begrudgingly turned her attention back to their lunch.  She selected two apples from a basket on the counter, and rinsed them under the tap before slicing them into perfect wedges.  She returned to the refrigerator to grab two bottles of water and arranged everything on a tray.  Tina then disappeared to the bedroom to change into her own bathing suit.  After careful consideration, she selected the new lime green bikini that definitely accentuated the right places, but covered the scar that still bothered her more than a little.  She quickly changed, returned to the kitchen, and carried the tray outside.

Bette was lying on her back on the soft, thick picnic blanket, arms folded beneath her head, staring up at the few clouds dancing across the sky.  Tina stopped to take in the sight of Bette’s cloud-watching activities, letting out a soft but contented sigh.  She then carried the tray across the patio towards the blanket.  Bette looked up when she heard Tina’s footsteps on the concrete behind her. 

“Let me help you…” she offered, starting to get up.

“It’s okay, I’ve got it.”  Tina replied as she crossed the pool deck while Bette sat up.  Tina handed the tray to Bette, who set it down before extending a hand to Tina, leading her to sit next to her on the blanket.  They each quickly devoured their food in silence, neither realizing how hungry they had been. 

***

Several hours later, Bette was settled into one of the lounge chairs, staring up at the stars, smiling as she replayed their afternoon in her head.  After lunch, they continued to lie together on the blanket, their bodies forming a “T” with Bette’s head resting on Tina’s stomach.  Bette read aloud from Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as Tina listened and played with Bette’s hair.  They had spent the entire afternoon reading, talking, laughing, or just enjoying each other’s company in silence, completely distanced from the stresses of everyday life.  Their quiet contentment had lingered into the evening, as they watched the sunset paint bright oranges, reds and purples across the sky, setting the stage for a clear, dark canvas slowly filling with stars.

Bette looked up as she heard the patio door close behind her.  She watched intently as Tina returned from her quick trip into the house and crossed the patio carrying another tray, this time loaded with the champagne and strawberries previously passed over.