Bette contemplated the blonde with a sense of pride almost, bearing witness to this new dimension in the blonde’s personality, as Tina began to reveal all to her.  I don’t know how or where she found the strength to do that this morning, Bette thought, telling me everything about Scott, and now, sharing with me all that’s been going on in her sessions with Dan – events that exposed Tina further in an unfavorable manner.

But Bette had seen how Tina had persevered, and thought the blonde was stronger now, not weaker, despite opening herself up to her vulnerabilities.

And Bette had also felt the depth of the blonde’s sorrow earlier this morning, in the bath, as she and the blonde had talked, speaking from the heart as they had never had, since making the move to New York.  Tina’s heartache had been unfeigned, honest, and deep, as the brunette had reached out to her in the tub, quoting Aristophanes.  Bette had sought, in an unstated manner, to link the passage she had recited to Tina to hers and Tina’s love story, and Tina had instinctively understood that.

As Tina remained quiet, clearly figuring out something to tell Bette, Bette thought, Tina… Tina…you are a riddle.  That riddle of love; two halves of a whole, right?

Bette’s eyes misted as her luminous brown orbs sought to renew its erstwhile unbreakable link of the past with those sparkly, hazel eyes that communicated so much trust.  And love. And, Bette could see now, true devotion.

With a lump in her throat, she started to say, “T…,” as she set her cup down.

The phone suddenly rang, an old-fashioned ring that caused the both of them to jump slightly.  With a half-smile in apology, Bette stood to pick up the phone.  It was the concierge, who’d rang to tell Bette that he had managed to obtain passes for Bette and Tina to access both the grounds of the Chateau of Versailles as well as the tour the interiors, including the Hall of Mirrors.

During their day-long stroll around Paris two years ago, the pair had enjoyed roaming the grounds of Versailles, in particular.  They weren’t able to go into the Chateau itself, however, because of the long lines of people waiting to get in that afternoon.