“There you are Tina!” Bette walked in front of Tina wearing a wide big smile. She could tell Tina was upset. She saw the familiar woman beside her and the painting behind them. Alison lifted an eye at her and shrugged.

“Hey you…” Tina said.

“Tee, are you okay?” Bette cursed herself for bringing Tina to the exhibit. Maybe Tina was different than the others. Maybe Tina looked to be crying because she really had bored her to death.

Bette grabbed Tina’s shoulder to direct her out the exhibit. “I’m sorry Tina. I’ll get the car….”

“No, it’s okay. I mean unless you want to leave?”

******** 

“So Tee” Bette wondered. “Do you have any family in L.A?” She asked.

Bette and Tina were now sitting on a wooden bench besides the beach. They were enjoying the evening’s warm weather and each other’s company. Bette was happy to have gotten Tina into a better mood after leaving the exhibit.

“Bette it’s getting late.” Was just about all Bette was getting in response to that question. Tina had suddenly gone quiet; Bette could read that Tina’s mood had also changed. If only Bette knew. Tina had been still dealing with her parents passing. It was all still fresh despite that it had been so long.  She didn’t share with her that they had passed, only that they weren’t around in L.A.

Bette watched her from the driver’s seat wondering why the subject of Tina’s family had unnerved her and make her grow silent.

Tina had her eyes closed, appearing to look as if she were sleeping. I’m going to have to tell her about them one day, she thought. I promised I would. She felt her heart clench.

She pulled up to Tina and Sabrina’s home and shook Tina who she thought was sleeping awake.

“Tee we’re here.” she whispered.  She then released the lock to the trunk and got out of the car to open Tina’s door.

“You want to come in?” Tina smiled seductively. “Brie won’t be here for two days…”

“Are you seducing me Kennard?” Bette teased.