As Tina began to speak it
was obvious to Bette, who was “in charge” at the moment. She found Tina’s
newfound strength quite beguiling. After all, it was the fact that Candace was
able to dominate the encounters between she and Bette that had initially been
so titillating. Bette silently berated herself for allowing her thoughts to
migrate to those of Candace when presently Tina was in her midst. She truly
loved Tina and couldn’t believe how much hurt she had caused her over the whole
sordid affair. Bette for once needed to stop thinking about how she would be
affected and needed to think about Tina and her wants and wishes. She focused
all of her attention to Tina and what she had to say.

Tina: Bette, I don’t want
you to get the wrong idea about what I did back there. You know that you are
the most important person in my life and I would do anything for you. I just
didn’t want you to think that I didn’t care anymore or that I don’t want you
and me – well all of us to have a future together. I just don’t think that now,
is the time or place to really get into a really deep conversation only to be
interrupted or not discuss things fully because of where we are. I want you to
hear everything that I have to say and I want to hear everything you have to
say no matter how involved, minute, or loud it may be. Does that seem
reasonable?

Bette: It does – more than
reasonable in fact. Uh where and when were you thinking about having this
conversation?

Tina: (Apprehensively)
Well, I was thinking we could go home now and talk. Is that okay?

Bette smiles ever so
slightly at Tina’s reference to “home”. She doesn’t want to push the issue, but
feels that she should maybe get a clarification from Tina.

Bette: Would that be my
home, your home or

Tina knows exactly what
Bette is trying to do, but it doesn’t bother her. If all it takes is for Tina
to say which home she was referencing for Bette to feel as if she’s won a
little victory, then she’s okay with that.

Tina: Bette you know
which home our home. I’m not making any promises, but depending on how the
conversation goes

Tina trails off her
comment to let Bette take from the statement what she wants. She doesn’t want
to give Bette any false hopes, but she also doesn’t want to completely rule out
moving home. She needs to see how their conversation goes to solidify her
decision – whatever that may be.