Bette, Tina and the gang had moved all of Bettes furniture and belongings on Sunday. The owner of Bettes apartment was more than happy about the short notice. He planned to sell the apartment and make a killing, since Bette had arranged Shane to do the design for the kitchen. A Shane McCutcheon design kitchen, as a feature of the apartment would fetch a huge price at auction.


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Bette and Tina had been living together for nearly a week. It was the following Friday and the Bette Porter Gallery was opening a show by a new young Indian painter, Armindu Callandi, later that evening. There was a huge buzz in the art world about this artists talents. Bette was expecting in excess of 500 people in attendance, the biggest opening she had ever hosted.

Tina and Bette hadnt seen each other much during the week with Tina working afternoons and Bette preparing for the show, resulting in 16-hour days.

At least living together they were able to see each other for at least a few minutes each day. They both vowed to each other they would leave Friday night for them to enjoy themselves. No interruptions!!!

It was Friday afternoon and Bette had left work at about 4pm to go home and get ready.
Tina was overseeing a fire drill at a local school, and expected to be home by 3pm, in order to ready herself for the night ahead. Apart from that first night she showed up at Bettes gallery, Tina had never been to one of Bettes openings. To say she was eagerly anticipating tonight would be an under statement.

Tina had brought a ***** new red dress for the occasion, along with matching shoes handbagand lingerie. Tina was going to surprise Bette with her new look.

Bette got home around 4:30 and expected Tina to be home already. Tinas car wasnt out front. Bette knew Tina would be home soon, so she went about getting ready for the night ahead. She had to be back at the gallery at 6:30pm to meet with Armindu.

Bette had also bought a brand new Gucci, black figure hugging, pants suit and a pale pink silk shirt. She wanted to impress tonight too. I only really want to impress Tina, Bette thought, but she was hosting the biggest night of her professional career, and thought she needed to look her absolute best..

Bette was placing the final touches to her make-up and was ready. There was still no sign of Tina. Bette realized it was getting on to 6pm. Bette was getting anxious and called Tinas cell.

RING, RING, RING,

Tina noticed the caller I.D, answering the phone, Hey babe, Im so sorry. Im stuck in traffic, Ill be home in 10 minutes.

Bette: (disappointed)Tee, I thought youd be home hours ago? I thought you knew how important this is for me?

Tina: (remorseful) I do babe.Its just, one of the kids got hurt, fell over and banged his head, when the drill was in action. I had to make sure he was Ok and tell his mum what happened.

Bette was now a bit annoyed, Tina, couldnt someone else have dealt with that? What about his teacher? We agreed that tonight, we would go to my show………. together.

Tina: (picking up the annoyance in Bettes voice) I suppose they could have. I didnt think. Im sorry babe, you go and Ill meet you there as soon as I can.

Bette was extremely disappointed in Tina. She knew that Tina couldnt help but lend a hand if needed, that was her nature, but sometimes Bette needed Tina, tonight was a BIG DEAL for Bette. She wanted Tina by her side the whole night. She wanted to share this with Tina. This show would put the Bette Porter gallery on the map and it hurt Bette to think that Tina didnt acknowledge just how important tonight was to Bette.

Bette: (in resignation) Ok Tee, I got to meet Armindu anyway, so Ill just see you whenever, Love you, Bye

Before Tina could respond Bette hung up. Bette was pissed off, I always, willingly, make allowances and compromises for Tinas job. Why doesnt it work both ways, damn it Tee? thinking to herself.

Bette made her way to the gallery on what would be the biggest night of her professional life, without the woman she loves by her side.

Tina arrived home about 20 minutes later. She knew she had done the wrong thing, and Bette wasnt too pleased with her. Berating herself, Tina thought Its not just you anymore TinaThink about your actions. This is so. important to Bette and you fucked it up!

Tina saw it was already nearly 6:30pm, Bette will be opening the show right now and Im not even there to tell her how proud I am of her, Tina said sadly to herself.

Tina hastily got ready vowing to herself to do whatever it took to show Bette, that she is the most important thing in Tinas life, and Tina would never forget again. Tina looked absolutely stunning in her red full-length dress, split on the left side up to her thigh. It was backless and fitted perfectly, accentuating all of Tinas well-toned body. She wore her hair down in soft curls just the way Bette liked it.

It was 10 to 7pm and Tina grabbed her purse and coat, and headed to the Bette Porter Gallery, to make amends. As she walked out the door the phone rang. Tina thought it might be Bette, calling to see where she was. Tina answered the call.

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After the conversation on the phone Tina was visibly upset. Her usually cool demeanor was gone. Tina jumped in her car and arrived at the gallery as fast as the speed limits would allow.

It took Tina everything she had to maintain her composure. She didnt want to cause a scene; Tina needed to tell Bette what had happened without drawing unwanted attention to either of them.

Tina entered the gallery. The show was in full swing. Tina searched the room for Bette.

Her insides were screaming; she desperately needed to speak to Bette. Tina finally spotted Bette.

Even though she wasnt in her right mind, Tina still observed Bette, and her heart skipped, Tina thought Bette lit up the whole room.

As soon as she saw Bette, Tina nearly lost her composure, and broke down No I cannot cause a scene. This is too important to Bette!! Tina kept saying to herself.

Tina walked over to Bette. Bette was in deep conversation with a buyer about one of the paintings. Tina placed her hand on Bettes arm. Bette turned around and saw Tina.

She was still disappointed and it was now well after 7:30pm and Tina was just arriving. Bette glanced at Tina and kissed her lightly on the cheek, not making eye contact, glad you could make it Tina. Bette stated almost dismissively. Tina was even more upset with the cold greeting she received from Bette.

Tina: (Tears welling in her eyes) Bette could I speak with you please just for a moment trying to form eye contact with Bette. If Bette obliged she wouldve seen the sadness in Tinas eyes……….. but she didnt.

Bette: Tee youll have to wait, Im in the middle of an important conversation here.

Tina: Ok, Ill wait but it is important.

Tina waited for a good 10 minutes; Bette occasionally glanced in her direction but was immersed in the same conversation with the buyer.

Tina couldnt take it anymore. She thought, ***** this.and left the gallery.

Tina got in her car and started sobbing uncontrollably, you can do this Tina she thought trying desperately to compose herself, driving away. Tina took out her cell and left a message for Bette at their home.

Bette, I love you so much but Ill have to deal with us later Tina thought to herself

Bette noticed Tina was gone, about 20 minutes later. As soon as she did, her disappointment vanished and she felt bad.

She assumed Tina went back home and would waiting for her. Bette tried calling their home no answer. Bette even left a message, Tee, if youre there Im sorry. I acted like an *****, Ill be home as soon as I can, or you come back here. please babyits just not as important without you.

It came to the end of the evening and Tina hadnt showed back up. Bette was saddened that she was unable to share tonight’s success with Tina, but she was pretty confident Tina would be home and they could make-up for this argument properly when she got there.

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All the guests had left, so Bette left instructions for the cleaning crew and headed home.

Bette arrived home and noticed Tinas car wasnt out front, thats strange Bette thought. Bette walked inside, no sign of Tina. Damn it Tina where are you? Bette said out loud. Bettes imagination wandered. Bette was beginning to get concerned. She walked over to the phone, to call Tinas cell, hoping to god Tina was ok and would answer it. Bette then noticed the message light blinking on their home phone.

Bette pressed play, her first thought was, it was only the message she left Tina, but there was more than one message. Bette kept listening as Tinas sweet voice came over the speaker