Tina smiled back at her, and said nothing, as she also picked up a piece of cheese on her plate, and put it in her mouth.

Bette said, “The cheese is good, too.”  Tina nodded.  She explained,“There’s a very good store next door. They supply the cheese for this café.”

The blonde picked up her glass to offer a toast, “Sante’.”

Bette gave her another small smile, and clinked her glass against Tina’s.

Bette sipped her wine, letting it play around in her tongue.  Both the wine and cheese complemented each other on the tongue she thought, shutting her eyes to enjoy the sensation, appreciating how their flavors enhanced the best characteristics of both.  She tipped her glass slightly to Tina, then looked over towards the café owner, who happened to look in their general direction, and tipped her glass to him also, in acknowledgement of the excellent pairing of wine and cheese that he brought over.  He smiled, and saluted slightly.

Tina smiled, pleased that Bette had appreciated her choices that evening.

Another thing she’d missed acutely over the past year: Bette’s appreciation of small efforts like this, and how in tune they were with another when it came to these things.  Enjoying quiet moments, enhanced by a mutual enjoyment of the right combinations of such things, like good food and wine.  Tears came to her eyes, as she realized how long it had been since she had had a moment like this, how long since she’d fixed a small plate of cheese for someone, how long since that someone appreciated her efforts, or who cared about whether such pairings were just right.  Not since Bette, she thought.  She wiped her tears quickly, before they fell, and raised her glass up to her lips to partially cover her face.

Bette was observing her, and understood why Tina was tearing up.  She looked down at her own glass of wine.  After a few minutes, “I have a new toast, T,” she said.

“Okay,” Tina smiled, looking at her expectantly.

Bette offered her her glass, “May the worst of your worst be behind you, and may the best of your best be ahead of you.”

“And you,” Tina said quietly, as she clinked her glass against Bette’s, new tears forming in her eyes, that she didn’t bother to hide anymore.