“No matter what I do, there is always something.” Tina started. She raised her eyes to meet Bette’s. “Do you know why I lost my son?”

“Um, no.” Bette lied.

“He said I was an unfit mother. I left him because I’m gay. I wasn’t with anyone at the time but I guess I always knew.”

“Lets sit down.” Bette and Tina moved from the doorway to a nearby free table. She pulled the chair for Tina to sit first before setting herself down. Bette urged her to continue. It’s the first time they had to really talk or get to know intimate details about their lives.

“He’s a lawyer you know. A very good one at that. And he knows a lot of people. Low people in high places. I couldn’t afford a better lawyer at the time and the one I got through legal aid was one of his friends. I didn’t stand a chance. It was decided before it even started.” Bette listened intently. “The judge actually told me that even though I was his birth mother, I wasn’t qualified to raise a boy child as a single female gay parent.”

“He actually said that?” Bette asked in disbelief and slightly angered.

“Yeah. Unfortunately the laws then didn’t include women like me.”

“Tina I am so sorry that you had to go through that.” Bette placed her hand on Tina’s. Tina turned her hand and held Bette’s hand, her thumb gently caressing the top of it. “Tina I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?” Tina could see the conflict reflecting in her eyes. “You can tell me.”

Bette was searching for the right words, “I… lied when I said I dint know why you lost your son.”

“What?” Tina was confused and Bette saw it. “What are you talking about? Are you the one Eric put to follow me?” Tina asked, her anger beginning to rise.

‘No, no.” Bette reassured. “Of course not.”

“Then what is it?”

“That day we met her it wasn’t by accident.” Tina remained quiet. She wanted to hear what Bette had to say. “I did research. I know more about you than you know.”

Tina shook her head, “I don’t believe you.”

“I work for the government. I did join the Marines like Kit said but my job there is information and sometimes I help take out the trash. Anyway I used our system to track you down when we were transferred here. I needed to see you.” Bette could see that she was losing Tina. She tried her best to convince her. “Ever since met you in Jamaica I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I tried to let it go. I was hoping that with time I would forget. Then my boss told me that he is moving the team to Los Angeles. I remembered you saying that you lived in West Hollywood so we tracked you down.”

“You were stalking me? Bette how can you do this to me? How can you violate me like that?” Tina rose from her seat.

“I had to see you again, how else was I going to find you?” Bette reasoned.

Tina couldn’t resist her pleading eyes. Her tone softened and so did her face. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Forgive me?” Bette smile with puppy dog eyes. “And hopefully start over?” Tina was about to reply when Bette’s phone started to ring. She looked at caller id and realised that it was her boss. “Could you excuse me for a sec I really need to take this.” Tina shook her head yes. Bette walked away before answering, “Yes.”

“We have a situation.” Her Boss informed her.

“Ok We’ll be there shortly.” Bette said and ended the call. She walked back to where Tina was standing. “Tina, can we continue this another time? Something came up at work and I really need to go.”

“Is everything ok?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine. It’s just something we need to take care of.”

“Can we meet tomorrow night for dinner?”

“Negative, I mean rain cheque?” Bette saw the disappointment look on Tina’s face. “I would love more than anything to have dinner with you, but I cant say how long before we get this under control. As soon as I get back I will call you. I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that. And just to make sure you keep that promise,” Tina gently kissed Bette on the lips, “There’s more where that came from.” Tina left a stunned Bette and joined her friends at the table.