At the park

Hey lady, watch out! But the warning came too late. Tina felt something hard hit the back of her shoulder, and Bette suddenly reeled away clutching her forehead. A lanky, sun-tanned boy with straight black hair and a bowl haircut was running over toward them. Bette, are you okay? Tina asked, trying to push the hair out of Bettes face so she could verify for herself. Bette kept holding the left side of her head, Motherfu she mumbled. Miss, Im so sorry, the shot went wide Tina waved her hand, Its okay, were fine. The boy picked up the ball which was at his feet, Okay, sorry, he shouted as he ran back toward his friends. Baby let me see, Tina returned her attention to Bette, pulling her hands down away from her forehead. Ooh, that really got you, she said grimacing at the big red circle growing on Bettes face. Im okay, it scared me more than anything, she said rubbing her forehead lightly. Well, why dont we head back and get you some ice, Im sure Marina wont mind, Tina started to stand up, but Bette pulled her back down so that she was sitting again.

Im fine really, it didnt hit me that hard, her eyes were pleading with Tina; she didnt want their meeting to end yet. Tina took her right hand and gently caressed the small welt. She had recognized Bettes request. Tina? Bette asked softly. What? she answered, now smoothing out some of Bettes wild hair. What do we do now? Bette continued, taking Tinas free hand in both of her own. Tina sighed heavily, Honestly, I dont know, Bettewe just have to take it one day at a time. Bette hated that answer, even though she knew it was the truth. Some part of her had wished that Tina would just fall into her arms, come back home, and everything would just go back to normal. But she knew it wasnt going to be that easy. Do you forgive me? she spoke up looking into Tinas face. Im almost there, Tina didnt want to hurt her, but she wanted to be as honest as possible with Bette. Bette just nodded her head, Well, did you have any plans for lunch? I actually have to meet Aliceso yeah. Bette nodded again; she was trying to be understanding, but couldnt help feeling extremely sad.

Are you free for dinner? Bette was looking down at her hands intertwined with Tinas. Tina looked away in the direction of the soccer game and then looked back at Bette. It was clear from her expression she was having trouble deciding how to answer the question. Its okay, if you say no, Ill understand, Bette lied. Tina exhaled and grasped Bettes hands, I dont think I can tonight, but Ill call you and we can talk about meeting again. She gave Bette a questioning look, waiting for her answer. Okay, Bette said, getting up and wiping her face, she turned away from Tina, trying to suppress her disappointment. Tina gave her a few moments and then stood up next to her. She rubbed Bettes back lightly and started to take a few steps, but noticed that Bette wasnt following her. I think Im just gonna walk around here for a little bit, you dont mind going back by yourself, she said. Tina shook her head, turned around, and walked away as Bette watched her.

**A couple of days after **

At Milk

She says it looks just like Mr. Piddles, Alice carried on while Shane nodded slightly in the direction of brunette in a t-shirt that said, I need someone badare you bad? Shane chuckled to herself and returned her attention back to Alice, Shes gonna email me some pictures. Alice took a sip of her cosmopolitan and nodded her head to the beat of the music. So did you guys ever do it? Shane had a vicious smile on her face, she loved watching Alice squirm. Shane, that is none of your ***** business, okay, Alice hissed as she shifted in her chair. Thats funny, thats really funny coming from you of all people, Al, Shane chuckled, taking a sip of her beer. Have you talked to Bette lately? Alice asked, changing the subject. No, shes been really busy lately, I havent been able to catch up with her. Why? Alice looked thoughtfully at her drink, recalling Tinas debriefing from a couple of days ago, Just wondering, thats all.

At the CAC

Bette squinted and rubbed her eyes, trying to focus on her laptop screen. She was preparing her presentation for the new show of rising artists that she had to give to the board of directors. It was merely a formality; after the success of Provocations, she could bring in dogshit on a paper plate and say that was going to be the new show and theyd go for it. She laughed a little at the thought of pulling something like in the meeting and leaned back in her chair. She suddenly heard the buzzing of her cell phone and dug it out from under a pile of files. She looked at the display and recognized Danas home number. Hey! she answered excitedly, even thought her voice was tired. Did I wake you up? Tina asked as she opened an aluminum container that had her penne in white wine sauce. There was a little Italian restaurant a couple of blocks away that delivered, and Tina was addicted to their food.

No, Im still in my office, I guess Ive been working for too long, Bette answered tugging at her hair. Yeah, you should go home and get some rest. Bette smiled, it sounded like a conversation they had had thousands of times in the past. I will in a bit, Im just putting the last touches on my presentation for tomorrow. Oh, right the new show, how is that going? Tina sounded genuinely curious. UmI think its gonna be fine, we have about half a dozen artists so far, hopefully I can convince a couple more who are straddling the fence. The I-want-to-preserve-the-integrity-of-my-art kind of straddlers? Tina asked as she took a small bit of her dinner. Yeah, that kind, Bettes smiled widened, What are you eating? Bette asked, suddenly feeling a pang of hunger in her own stomach. Mmmpenne, thats why I was calling. Do you want to do dinner Saturday night, theres this great Italian place nearby? Absolutely, Bette replied, sitting up in her chair. Great, just come here and we can walk over. Okay, what time? Tina took another big bite, Mmmsorrysometime around six? Bette leaned back in her chair with a contented sigh, Sounds great. Tina took a long sip of her water, Okay, good luck tomorrow, and Ill see you Saturday. Saturday.


At Danas apartment
They said their goodbyes and Tina hung up the phone. She had important news for Bette and thought a nice, quiet dinner was a good place to break it to her. She had found a small apartment about a mile away from Danas place and had signed the lease that morning. It was something she could easily afford and the rent included all the appliances, even central air. All she had to pay besides rent was the electric bill. She had saved enough money to pay the security, but wanted to talk to Bette before taking any money out of their account for the first couple months rent. She sat on the couch with piles of work around her that she wanted to look over before she went to bed. She wondered for a little while if she was doing the right thing. We need to start from scratch, she said out loud as she gazed down at her dinner, creating a little crater in her mound of penne with her fork. She wanted to explore the possibility of a relationship with Bette, but she didnt want to rush anything. She wanted both of them to be completely sure that they wanted this, that they wanted each other, to be with each other. She recalled what she had told Jenny so many months ago, First, last and forever. She knew that would always be true, no matter what happened between the two of them. She would always love Bette.