Something for Tina
Chapter Thirty-Nine



I have to go, T. Bye girls, stepping out of the Planet.

Bye, See you later, and finally Alices turn, Porter you owe me!

So whats at the top of the discussion today girls?


Hey Kit Kat,

Baby girl.

Hey I was wondering if you could come to the gallery so we can talk.

Sure girl, is everything okay.

Yeah Kit, I just need your help. How about an hour?

Sure girl.


James, I think were done. What do you think? Looking around the finished gallery that they had built together.

We just need to put the sign up in front and we are set.

Youre just in a hurry to get your name up there arent ya.

Baby girl, you did great in here.

Hey!

You did good too James.

Well be in my office, hold my calls wont ya.

Bette, Im not your assistant anymore, laughing as he went to hold her calls anyway.

So whats this about?

Well, lately I have been feeling a little selfish and I was hoping you could help me do something for Tina.

Why selfish?

The gallery, Jonathan, the storage, its time I do for her.

But I thought all this was for her.

You know what I mean, something nice, something she wouldnt expect from me.

Like what?

Like teaching me how to play again.

The piano, you hated that thing when you were little.

Its for her, nothing comes before that.

Well then I guess you found your Stevie.

Thank you Kit Kat, you dont know how much

Hugging her baby sister, I have a feeling I do. So when do we start?

I have about eight days till the opening and everything is pretty much ready to go so any time till then I suppose.

Tomorrow at one okay for you.

Its great.

Bye James.

Bye, Tia.

Youre damn right Im your Tia, and youd better be good to her.

I know, I know.

Going to Bettes office, you gonna take your calls now.

Not yet, I still have some business to attend to.

Fine, Ill be in the main gallery.

Hey Libby,

Momma.

Are yall done painting yet?

No just a wall left then were done.

Can Tina handle that one on her own? I need you to do me a favor

Ok, momma I call you when Im done.


Turning back to Nini painting, she didnt know how she could pull this off.

Nini, do you mind if I take off early?

Do you feel okay sweetie?

Yeah Im just gonna take a nap, or something.

Then go Ill be fine.

Call me when youre on your way?

Yeah youre mothers picking me up today.

Ok Ill be at the house.

And she was off to help her mother with her small gesture.

Tina, are you ready? Where are you?

In the back room babe.

This place looks really amazing T. When do you guys open it back up?

Two days.

Im sure theyll love it. You ready?

Let me get my purse.

On their doorstep.

Tina, taking her hands, I wanted to do something nice for you because, I was feeling a little selfish. Weve been doing all this and I havent taken the proper time to give to you.

Bette

Putting her fingers up to her lips to shush her, You deserve so much and I know that what lies behind that door isnt much, but hopefully one day all this will be what you deserve.

I dont want anything except you and our family. And Im sure that whatever is behind that door, itll be more than what I could ever give thanks for.

The door opened.

Rose petals, everywhere leading the way to a candlelit dinner in the center of the room. Before stepping in, a rose came from within her jacket.

For you. Because this, giving her the rose, could never compare to how much beauty and love you hold inside and let show.

As they made their way, the room was filled with black and white photos that Bette had first taken when they began dating. When they were seated, in Tinas plate was the very pair of earrings that started it all.

I owe a lot to that pair of earrings.

We both do, babe.

Let me get the food. Red wine okay?

When she was in the kitchen the small note from Libby rested on the counter.

Momma, I hope this was okay. Im gonna stay with James. DONT worry. I love you both. Have a good one.
Libby.

Taking a quick drink from the glass she just filled, only to have to fill it right back up again. Both glasses filled, she went to join her wife at the table.

To us, bringing the second glass to her lips.

Tina not taking hers yet, I love you Bette, then drinking to them.


Just relaxing at the table, do you remember the first time we danced T.

Yes,

Do you remember what you told me?

Not really remembering because back then they were all ready filled up with too much wine and having a good time.

Not really.

Getting up and taking Tinas hand, let me show you. Stay here.

Walking over to the stereo and setting the mood and turning to face Tina.

Walking back to her wife, You told me you wanted to be my kind of rain. Taking Tina in her arms as his voice filled the room.

Shes my kind of rainlike love in a drunken skyshes confetti falling down all nightshe sits quietly thereblack water in a jarsays baby why you tremblin like you areso I waitand I tryi confess like a child

Bette, you remembered.

Of course I do.

Shes my kind of rain

Looking into Tinas eyes as they gracefully let each other move with the music.

T, I didnt know what that meant at first. But then that first night I knew.

Shes the sunsets shadowshes like Rembrandts lightshes the history thats made at nightShes my lost companionshes my dreamin treeTogether in this brief eternitysummer dayswinter snowshes all things to behold

You knew all along.

Yes,

Then how come you didnt say so?

Because you already knew.

Shes my kind of rainSo I waitand I tryI confess all my crimesShes my kind of rain

As his voice left the air, they kept moving and a few steps after they stopped,

Tina, you are my kind of rain. I just didnt know how to tell you what you already knew.

And now?

And now I need to tell you what you already know.