Tina: “Thank you for bringing me here.”

Bette: “You’re welcome.”

The waiter arrived with two glasses that he placed in front of them and poured them some wine to taste before filling them. He took their dinner orders and then returned to the kitchen. He was followed by another man who placed the appetizer in front of the ladies and merely said “Enjoy,” before he turned and left. They sipped wine and enjoyed their appetizer while they waited on their dinner.

Bette: “How long have you lived in LA?”

Tina: “I have lived her for a little over a year. I used to live in Texas.”

Bette: “So that’s where you get your accent from, a southern girl.”

Tina: “Yeah, I lived there for almost 24 years and I loved it.”

Bette: “So what made you leave and come here?” She wondered since Tina seemed to really love her home state.

Tina: “Well I had been dating this guy named Eric for about six months and thought I was in love with him. I had known him for several years before we got together because our parents had been friends since we were little, so when he asked me to marry him I said yes. Well a couple months after I said yes we moved here and I started realizing that I was attracted to women and hid it. But a few months ago I couldn’t lie to him or myself anymore and told him. Needless to say he was very mad.”

Bette: “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject. I was just wondering why you would leave when it seems to me that you really loved it there.” She apologized.

Tina: “No don’t be sorry its okay. Sure he was mad but he got over it. I moved out and found my own place and then a couple days ago I met you. If I was still lying to him we wouldn’t be on a date right now. So I’m not sorry and you shouldn’t be either.” She reassured Bette with a smile as she squeezed her hand again.

Their waiter returned with dinner and placed their plates in front of them and then refilled their wine glasses. They shared more conversation as they ate their entrée’s and even through dessert. Tina asked Bette about her job and how long she had been a firefighter. Bette told Tina how she had been a paramedic and then changed to firefighting school after that witnessing two firefighters saving someone. When Tina found out that Bette was related to Kit Porter she got really excited because she had listened to Kit’s music for years. Tina calmed down only after a grinning Bette promised to introduce Tina to her sometime soon. They finally decided to leave an hour after they finished eating. Bette paid the bill and they walked out to the car. Bette and Tina reached to open the passenger side door at the same time. Tina smiled and allowed Bette to help her in before she closed the door. She watched as Bette made her way around the front of the car to get in. Once Bette got in and turned the ignition Tina turned to her.