Just as Bette was lazily dreaming lost in her coffee, Alice that was reading the paper sighed,

***** she said, looking through the window.

What? Asked Bette looking at her friend, back in reality.

Dana is here Alice whispered, looking at the street.

And thats bad? Asked Bette looking at Dana walking towards the Planet.

Shrugging, Alice answered,

If she is here, am sure that awful woman is too

Smiling, reading between the lines Bette said,

Maybe not, she seems to be by herself

Just then, as Alice was turning to look at Bette, they heard Danas voice from the counter,

Hi guys

Hi said Bette, smiling.

Mm nodded Alice.

Whats up, why you two so quiet? Asked Dana, taking a seat.

Nothing, we were just talking nonchalantly answered Bette.

Where s your twin? Icily asked Alice, unable to stop the words escaping her lips.

Who? Asked a confused Dana.

Knowing what Alice was going to say, Bette quickly answered,

Tonya she said, shyly smiling.

Oh, right, no.. I I have an appointment Dana said, realizing then what Alice meant with her comment. Opening her mouth to tell her something else she saw her cell spinning on the table, vibrating.

Checking the caller Id, she smiled before answering.

TK, hey!I am on my way over, she said waving at the waiter for her beverage.

Danas words turned on all Bette senses.

What?…yeahright yeah you mentioned sureis ok dont worry yes we will dont worry ok call me when you back yeah you too okbyee

With each new word Dana was drawing an even bigger question mark on Bettes face. Noticing the frowning face on Danas, taking a breath, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, Bette asked,

You ok?

Nodding, Dana answered,

Yeah, that was Tina we were going to have lunch together but seems she is going away

What? Asked Bette, unable to stop the words.

Noticing Bettes tone, Alice added,

What you mean going away? Alice tone trying to smooth Bettes anxiousness.

Yeah, she was going to go to the Grand Canyon with Mario at the end of week but not sure why they leaving this afternoon Dana answered, smiling at the waitress who was handing her the coffee.

Pale as a ghost, Bette stood up, surprising Dana.

Have to go she mumbled to no one in particular.

Ok, will call you later ” shouted Alice as Bette was already at the door.

Is she ok? asked Dana looking at Bette.

Yeah, she is fine so You free for lunch? asked Alice, leaning on the table.

Yeah, yeahseems so mumbled Dana.

Cool, come on Alice said, standing up.

What?, where are we going? asked Dana, looking at Alice, confused.

Shh, follow me mischievously whispered Alice, taking Danas hand.

***

Cara? You sure we can leave today? asked Mario, watching Tina packing, the room a huge mess, so not like Tina.

“Yes, I just have to drop something and will be done with work for the week you think you could be ready in an hour?” Asked Tina, looking up at Mario who was seated on the bed, watching her.

Id be ready in five minutes Cara smiled Mario.

Noticing Tinas s eyebrow, he added,

“Ok, ok twenty but yeahIll be readydo you want me to get the tickets?

“No, we will do it at the airport Tina said, zipping her bag, looking around at the messy room.

Noticing the frowning face, Mario said,

Just go, Ill clean this up,

ok, thanks Tina answered, smiling at her friend.

Walking to the living room she got a vanilla envelope and looking at Mario asked,

Is there any gas in the bike?

yes, is full nodded Mario, smiling.

OKwill be back in a second ok Tina added, taking the keys from the kitchen table.


***

Bette drove to the CAC lost in her thoughts. Trying to find the way, the road to Tina. Not knowing what to say or do, but feeling that if she was going away maybe she could think too much, lost about the important matters, forget about the fact, Bette was sure, the fact that the kiss meant something, was much more than what it looked like. KNowing that she was walking on thin ice, Bette shook her head, praying for an answer.
Parking the car in the staff parking lot she saw something that suddenly lighted her clouded mind. Closing the door, she let a tiny smile grow on her face.


***

Tina drove her bike carefully, feeling all the adrenaline rushing through her body. She wanted to run it fast, wanted to fly, wanted to leave her body to try see things with some perspective. Biting her lip she could still feel Bettes there, how sweetly it was, how soft she kissed Tina back, without any pressure, just lovingly. That was exactly what was burning Tina inside, the sweetness of the kiss. She was sophisticated enough to know about passion, about flings, about *****. For god sake! Two of her closest friends were but that didnt prepare her to the idea that she might be too. She was too old she thought, too old to suddenly discover she was *****. Shaking her head under the helmet she tried to erased the idea. Spending a few days with Mario at the Grand Canyon was exactly what she need it. She was sure about it, she could then think about it all.

Feeling the warm breeze caressing her bare arms she let the short ride calm her nerves. She parked the bike close to the entrance, sighing, hoping for Bette not to be there.

Taking the envelope she straightened her jeans, and shaking her head she tried to order her messy hair. Seeing James wandering in the great hall she started walking towards him. Opening the glass door she waved,

James she said, a bit louder.

James, hearing his name turned around to face Tina.

“Miss Kennard, hi he said, extending his hand, smiling.

“Tina Tina said, smiling while shaking his hand.

Tina (he nodded, smiling), you looking for Bette?

No, noI just wanted to leave this for her she said, handing him the vanilla envelope.

She is here, in a meeting, you want me to call her? asked James, noticing Tinas look, her ***** outfit with the old jeans lazily hanging on her hips while the even older t-shirt was sensually glued to just the right parts of her upper body.

No, nois ok am in a rush anyway thank you James Tina answered, smiling again waving at him while slowly walking back to the door.

Okthank you said James waving the envelope, smiling at Tinas image, realizing how humbly ***** she was.


***

Smiling, happy to know that now she was finally free to take the plane with Mario, Tina drove back to her place.

Just as she was opening the front door she heard the music in the back ground. Smiling she recognize Marios favourite music. Nodding, placing the keys back on the table, she looked to the living room, seeing Marios long legs resting on the coffee table.

You ready? Tina asked before turning the corner to enter the living room.

Si answered Mario without moving.

Walking into the living room Tina saw the big plant that was resting on the floor.

Whats that? She asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Its for you he nonchalantly answered, dying to know who the sender was.

It has a card he added, leaning forward.

Walking closer Tina recognized the English Holly. Curious, feeling a warmth rush running through her body she took the card. Opening the tiny envelope, feeling a knot in her stomach, not wanting to face what she feared was there, she read;

There are things we dont know about because we just dont see them. Sometimes we need others to show us its beauty. English Hollies are known among other things for being able to recover after a fire.

Blushing, feeling her hands trembling a little, Tina looked up, feeling Marios stare.

Well? he asked.

III need to make a phone call Tina mumbled, slowly walking to her bedroom, caressing the card.