“No “
Tina wondered if Bette agreed with her mother that she should have a “proper job “
“It’s your life “Bette said “It wouldn’t suit me but I admire you for doing it – It cannot be easy. Have you
always been a community worker?”
“No “Tina replied “I worked for CBS for three years “
“Really? Doing what?”
“PS to one of the executives “
“Why the career change?” Bette asked her curiosity peeked by the conversation. She saw the look on Tina’s face change – she knew only one topic that had that effect on her new girlfriend
“It’s none of my business “Bette said quickly “Really – tell me to mind my own business “
“No -it’s okay – I don’t mind talking about it “
“It still hurts though “Bette said softly
Tina sighed “You never get over it “
“I can imagine – well I can’t but – God – sorry Tina “
“It’s okay – as you will find out and as I have hinted at – I fell apart after mom died “
“It’s okay “Bette held Tina tighter – hoping to offer her some comfort. Tina cuddled closer to Bette appreciating her support and the way she was trying to ease what was obviously Tina’s pain.
“I miss her “Tina said “I miss her all the time “
There was nothing that Bette could really say so she didn’t try and use any cliché or platitude. So, she just pulled Tina as close as possible and kissed her hair. For probably the first time the embrace they were sharing was not about sex – it was emotional comfort. Tina had been thinking about her other mom lately – wondering what she would say about Bette. Tina guessed that she would approve of her and Tina had been day dreaming about what it would have been like to share her secret relationship with Bette with her mom – not telling Emma about Bette. That would have been fun and they would have enjoyed it being “their “secret.
“My other mom was always the one I would tell my secrets to – she was the first person I told that I was sure I was a lesbian “
“I don’t imagine it was a big deal “
Tina laughed “I think one of the reasons that I have never had any doubts about my sexuality was how good she was. She didn’t push me into it “
“Your other mom did?”
“She wasn’t that bad “Tina admitted “But I wanted to explore my feelings and my other mom was very protective “
Bette stroked Tina’s hair – Tina looked up at her and kissed her
“I miss her – she would have stopped Emma doing all this setting up “
“In a roundabout way it brought us together “
Tina smiled “I guess so “
“My mom is every bit as guilty as Emma in all of this “
“It’s hard to explain Bette – my mom is just hard to please “
“So, I must have impressed her if she is so determined that we need to be brought together “
Tina touched Bette’s face – tracing her lips before kissing her
“You hit several marks – you are successful – she obviously hopes that your work ethic and ambition rub off on me “
“As I said earlier you are very devoted to some things – what else impresses your mum do you think?”
“Well she regards herself as an expert on lesbians – as we have discussed – well not so much discussed as I have told you and you have blushed a lot – you are the hottest lesbian in the city. Third – your parents are friends of hers “
Bette smiled “I don’t mind that my mom is trying to set us up – she’s never done it before “
“My mother is very persuasive “
Bette eased herself up “You think that if your mom finds out about us, she would do what?”
Tina smiled “Simple – she would start on at me that I had to buck my ideas up just to keep you”
Bette’s face gave away how surprised she was “Really?”
Tina nodded “I can almost write the script – look at yourself Tina – get your hair cut – how can you go out with Bette when you look as scruffy as you do “
Bette laughed “Sorry “
“My mother is predictable – I am always a disappointment to her “
“When I was at school, I had a friend called Gillian – very pretty blonde. We lived very close to one another. For about four years my mom was always telling me off for not being as chatty or nice and helpful as Gillian. I met her a couple of years ago and she told me that her mom was always telling her – why are you not more like Bette Porter – so quiet and polite. You can’t win”
Tina laughed “Yeah – I know. It’s just that it’s a very long running record that I am a disappointment to her and she will use knowing about us to just start another round of my flaws “
Bette lifted Tina’s face up with her finger and placed a gentle and soft kiss on her lips
“Sweetheart – I’m not shallow – your mom can say whatever she likes and it will not put me off you. “
“You said that just after you asked me out “
“I did and it still applies “
“I am trying hard not to let my hang-ups come between us “
“I know “
Tina smiled “You are just amazing Bette “
Bette smiled “I know – but being amazing is hard work and I need food. Do you want a takeout or shall we cook?”
Tina wasn’t to be deterred from saying what she wanted to
“Bette – I mean this. You know that I am a mess up and you are being patient and kind and I am crazy for you “
Bette appreciated Tina’s words but she really didn’t want get into this discussion with Tina. She was scared to admit to Tina or to herself just how deeply she was getting into their relationship.
—————–
IS THIS LOVE?
Chapter 24
Tina was sitting reading one of the books that she had borrowed from the public library as she waited for her mother to arrive. She was still on a high from the weekend she had spent with Bette. Put it simply she was still tingling with the memories that she had of the first full week as Bette’s lover. They had laughed, talked, slept and above all they had made love – Tina knew she was good in bed but Bette had skills and patience to go with those skills – that was a deadly mixture.
“Afternoon Tina “
Tina looked up – her mother was standing looking at her – as always, she looked immaculate – a grey suit, white shirt and long warm over coat. Tina knew that her own garb of jeans, boots and sweatshirt didn’t met with her mom’s approval.
“Hey mom “
Emma removed her overcoat, hung it up and sat down in the booth putting her briefcase on the seat beside her
“You in court?” Tina asked
“On the way for a plea bargain meeting “
“Serious?”
“I am trying to keep my client from getting 20 years “
“Is your client guilty?”
“Very “
Tina shook her head
“You don’t care that this person might deserve 20 years?”
“She probably does but she is paying me to keep her out of jail “
Tina really wasn’t sure if she was happy about the morality of what her mother did. But she had learnt to just accept that it was a dirty job and she was glad that she did not have to do it. When she had been younger, she had been more motivated to row with her mother about what she did.
“I rang your house on Saturday afternoon – where were you?”
The truth was she had been in Bette’s bed with her new woman – hell would freeze over before she told her mother that.
“I was playing pool with Shane in a lesbian bar “
Emma’s look told Tina how much her mother disapproved of that recreation. Tina didn’t much care – she picked up the menu
“What would you like to eat mom?”
“Just a ham sandwich “
“No problem – cappuccino?”
“Please “
Tina got up and went to place the order – as she was waiting, she glanced at her mobile and was delighted to see a message from Bette
“Just got out of a boring meeting with my accountant – miss you B x “
Tina smiled and texted back “Just about to have a forensic examination of my shortcomings courtesy of my mother – I miss you too T x “
Tina returned to the table to see her mother examining the book she was reading. She looked at Tina and put it back
“I would recommend it “Tina said knowing that her mother had a weakness for crime stories
“Is it realistic?”
“I am sure you would drive holes in it but I am enjoying it “
“A library book I see “
“Nothing wrong with using the first-class library facilities in this city.” Tina paused – how long would it be before one of them mentioned Rosemary Porter. Tina decided to wait it out – like the daughter of two lawyers she was well prepared for all eventualities. “I just found my library card by accident so I popped in to renew it. I met your friend there actually “
“Oh – you mean Rosemary Porter?”
“Yes – she is a lovely woman “Tina said honestly “I was really taken with her – she’s just charming and so helpful and interesting “
“She is special “Emma admitted smiling “I loved her so much – she was so supportive when I came out and she helped heal my broken heart over many a woman “
“You mean you dated other women other than my mom?” Tina smiled
“As hard as it for you to understand – yes – I hadn’t met Kate and there were a lot of beautiful women “
“And I guess you are fairly presentable “Tina teased
Emma smiled “Thank you darling “
“Mom – I am not a fool – of course you both dated other women – it’s no big deal. Sorry – I distracted you from your story – please carry on “
“Thank you – Rosemary was and still is the nicest person I know. She finds the good in everyone and she is a balm to me”
Tina was surprised at her mother’s comment – she knew from Bette that the two older women were close but this was an unexpected revelation from her mom. Tina had never thought about it but all of her mother’s friends were other lawyers – Rosemary Porter must be one of the few people in Emma Kennard’s life who she didn’t talk shop with.
“I am delighted mom – it’s good that you have meet these people again – what is her husband like – eh Martin is it ?”