“This layout is different from the other apartments. I changed a few things around. You’ll understand why I chose this floor.” Tina ushered Alice, Dana and Shane inside. She stood by the door and grabbed Bette’s hand. “I hope you like it.”

“I’m sure I’ll love it.” Bette assured her lover. She stepped in and quickly gave Tina a kiss on the lips before entering the apartment.

“Wow, Tina. The ceilings are so high. This place is amazing.”  Shane said as she placed her bag in the living room.

“Thanks Shane. Let me give you a tour.” Tina placed her purse and keys on a small table by the door. “This was a formal dining room, but I made more sense to use it as a living room. Here’s the kitchen. There’s a dumbwaiter that goes down to the garden apartment.” Tina showed the kitchen. She was proud of her kitchen with the modern appliances. Despite her love for cooking, she had not been able to do a lot of it until Bette came along. “Come on. Let me show you the rest.” Tina led the women out of the kitchen, past the living room and down a corridor. “Here the bathroom. This used to be closet, but I made it into a shower stall. The claw-foot tub is original. Here’s the guest bedroom, it’s small, but I like it and this is my bedroom. This was the living room.” Tina led the women to her bedroom with the floor to ceiling windows lining one wall. “The shutters are original and the fireplace too.”

“King-sized bed, Tina?” Alice asked as she sat on the bed.

“I got used to sleeping in one in L.A.” Tina admitted as she looked at Bette.

“I love what you did with the bedroom…not too feminine. It fits you.”

Tina walked over to a set of closed doors. “This was the smaller bedroom and I converted it to a walk-in closet. I can access it either through here or that door.” She pointed to the door in the corner. “That leads to the hallway.” Tina turned to Bette and their friends. “Well, that’s it.” Tina walked over to Bette, who was standing next to the fireplace. “Are you guys hungry? There’s this really great Greek place that’s only a few blocks away.”

“Let’s head over to the Greek place.” Bette said. “I’m starving.”

—————

Bette walked alongside Shane as they watched Tina, Dana and Alice gossip a few feet ahead of them. On occasion Tina would turn and give Bette a smile.

“You’re awfully quiet, Bette. Want to talk?” Shane asked her friend.

“Andrea sent me the divorce papers.” Bette admitted to her young friend, who was wise beyond her eyes.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” Shane glanced from Bette to Tina. “But that’s a good thing, right? That means you can be with Tina.” Shane stopped and reached out to Bette. “You want to be with Tina, right?”

Bette glanced from Shane to Tina, whose arms were linked with Alice and Dana. She watched as the three women walked in sync and laughed ahead of them. “Don’t you think we’re moving too fast? I mean, it’s only been a few weeks.”

“I can’t answer that for you, Bette.”

 tbc