“Oh, I’m sorry Bette. I just wanted to drop these off for you.” she said placing the documents on Bette’s desk as she leaned over provocatively providing a view for Bette to hopefully enjoy. Just like always she was to busy going over Tina’s results to notice anything Kelly did to get her attention. Tina however did notice the almost sultry look on her face when she walked in to the disappointment on her face when she realized Bette couldn’t see her efforts. 

“Thank you, Kelly.” She looked up from her paperwork and gave her a friendly smile. “You can leave for the day Kelly, I’ll lock up.” and just like that she went back to her work. Tina being the outsider of their relationship could see the desperation in her demeanor, but chose not to bring it up to Bette. It was not in her personality to budge in other people’s relationships.  Whether Bette was being oblivious, indifferent or chose not mingle office politics with her home life, was not something she wanted to know. But what was interesting was how Bette could act so unassuming with her staff? She started to wonder if maybe there was something more to the doctor and the receptionist’s relationship and maybe she was in the way right now, but everything about Bette seemed too closed off for such a scandalous act.

Kelly left and Bette had nothing but good news for Tina. This relieved them both, because Bette still felt responsible for Tina’s panic attack earlier and Tina was worried that it might have harmed the baby somehow. Both women knew these thoughts were irrational, especially Bette, she was a doctor so she knew whether or not Tina was alright physically, but she couldn’t help the gnawing feeling of guilt. Thankfully her blood pressure was fine and her blood work came back with nothing but positivity for her, the room’s tension instantly dissipated and both women were undeniably relieved.

…………………………………..

Bette walked out of her office and was extremely mindful of Tina. She’d opened doors for her and held the elevator door open with her hand as she crossed the threshold. Simple things that were second nature to Bette were charming to Tina; she felt just a little special in her company. Bette had opened her trunk to put in her bag, which belonged to the left side of the trunk and the rest was for nothing. Tina took note that the trunk was remarkably clean. There wasn’t a speck of dirt in her trunk, which was unusual for her to see. It was interesting to see how Bette carefully tucked the bag in the corner and laid her briefcase next to it, and then she walked over to the passenger side door and opened it for Tina to let her in. Next she opened up the back passenger door and placed her coat on a hanger and hung it on the hook, but not before meticulously making sure it was even on the hanger.  Tina watched all of this happening out of the corner of her eye and knew that Bette would never know that she was watching her, she was to busy staying focused on the task at hand. Once Bette was in the car she’d looked at her dashboard making sure nothing read it needed attention before she proceeded out of the parking lot. Now Tina took that as Bette’s routine for leaving work, but it was just something about the way she cared for every aspect of her exit that made Tina want to know more about her, the person.