RING RING RING

This is Tina.

Hey baby.

Hey babewhats up?

I was just calling to say hi. Hows your day going?

BusyI swear one day Im just going tonever mindhows your day going?

Same. Im just finishing up some stuff for the new show. You can still make it right?

Of course babe. Wouldnt miss it for the worldoh hold onshit babe I have to go. Will I see you tonight?

Not sure. I have a dinner meeting with some of the artists tonight.

Okay well see you on Friday then.

Bye.

Tina hung up and sighed loudly. Her boss was yelling from his office for her to hurry up but she just needed a minute. Tina missed Bette so badly and with their crazy schedules they hadnt spent much time together in the past month. They had only seen each other twice in the past month and had been reduced to hurried phone calls and promises of spending time together that would never be fulfilled. Tina missed just being home and having Bette in her arms and Tina wanted nothing more than to fall asleep for at least one night this month with Bette by her side. Tina frowned as she checked her schedule and saw that she would be pressed for time if she wanted to make Bettes opening on Friday. Hearing her boss scream for her once more snapped her back to reality and she quickly grabbed the scripts off her desk and ran to his office. She hoped Friday night would be fun and after not having seen Bette in what felt like forever, Tina hoped she would be able to control herself long enough to wait until they got home to show her just how much she missed her.

Friday afternoon finally dragged its nasty head around and Tina was staring at the clock as if she could somehow telepathically make time move faster. Bettes opening was at seven thirty and Tina was trying as hard as she could to keep her mind on work. She was so excited to see Bette that she finally gave up and left the office at five thirty to get ready for tonight. She was going to look drop dead gorgeous for Bette and Tina knew if she got her way, they wouldnt get out of bed all weekend. Tina showered quickly and put on the silky ice blue dress she bad brought for this occasion. The dress made her skin and hair glow just a little bit more and it made her brown eyes look like pools of chocolate. Tina knew Bette loved this color on her and she was pulling out all the stops tonight. After applying her makeup and trying her hair up leaving a few soft curls draping down her neck, Tina ran out of her house to her car.

Tina arrived at the Bette Porter gallery and saw that it was already crowded. Tina was a little disappointed because she had wanted to spend time with Bette before the opening, but after glancing at her watch she saw that it was already seven thirty and she knew she was late. Tina entered the gallery and looked around for Bette but when she didnt see her she decided to walk around and try and find her. An hour later Tina still had yet to find Bette and she was growing a little impatient. She finally turned around and saw Bette talking to a group of four people who seemed to be hanging on her every word. Bette looked more beautiful than Tina remembered and Tina had to brace herself against the bar to stop herself from passing out just at the sight of Bette. Feeling the color rise in her cheeks at the thought of what she wanted to do to Bette Tina decided to make her presence known. She walked over to where Bette could see her and smiled seductively when Bette caught her eye. Tina smiled when she saw Bette lose her train of thought momentarily and Tina just winked at her and walked over to the bar. Bette quickly excused herself and made her way over to Tina.

Hey you made it.

Yeahsorry I was late. Workyou know

Yeahso I was wondering

Just then a man approached Bette and interrupted their conversation. He was pulling her away and Tina gave her an irritated look as Bette smiled apologetically before being sucked back into the crowd. Tina rolled her eyes as Bette charmed guest after guest and Tina wondered when she would have time for her. She knew it was just part of Bettes job but sometimes Tina got tired of taking a back seat to this damn gallery. Tina wandered off to the restroom and splashed some water on her face to keep her frustration from rising up. All she wanted to do was spend some time with Bette and she would have to wait yet again until the opening was done so that she could have five minutes alone with her girlfriend. Tina walked back out and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Bette. Bette was standing near one of the various paintings talking to a drop dead gorgeous woman. The woman was standing very close to Bette and it was obvious the woman was speaking to her in a very flirtatious way. The woman had her hand on Bettes forearm and was whispering something into Bettes ear that made Bette laugh like Tina hadnt seen her do in a long time. Bette whispered something back and the woman laughed loudly and playfully swatted at Bette. Tina felt something she had never felt before and she turned abruptly on her heel and stormed out of the opening.

Tina got into her car and sat there gripping the wheel trying to decide what to do. She knew Bette hadnt seen her and Tina felt a little childish for running out of there so fast. Get a grip Tinayou just havent seen her in a long timedont start getting jealous over every woman she talks tothis is part of her jobjust breathe. Tina took a deep breath and closed her eyes trying to calm herself down. Jealousy was not in her nature but stubbornness was. Tina could already feel herself growing angry that Bette had been talking to that woman like that and Tina knew it would be a while before that anger subsided. With one last deep breath Tina checked her reflection in the mirror and slowly got out to head back inside. Tina walked in and braced herself as she walked back to where she had last seen Bette talking to that woman. In the year that her and Bette had been together Tina had never felt pangs of jealously like these. Maybe it was just the fact that Tina wanted to spend time with her so badly and Bette was giving her attention to someone else, or maybe it was the fact that the woman who had been hitting on Bette was absolutely stunning, but either way Tina immediately felt her guard go up. She didnt like these insecure feelings, but with the way their schedules had been lately Tina felt like she had more of a best friend than a girlfriend and it was something she was not used to. Tina looked around and finally saw Bette talking to a group of people near another painting. Tina breathed a sigh of relief when that woman was nowhere in sight and Tina walked over to the bar to get a soda.

As Tina was finishing her drink Bette sauntered over to her looking completely worn out and Tina had a good feeling Bette was ready to just fall into bed. She had been playing gracious host all night and Tina knew that when Bette was in charge of these functions she threw herself into them leaving little room for anything else, including sleep. Bette placed a quick kiss on Tinas cheek before ordering a club soda and Tina waited for Bette to start complaining about something. Bette just smiled at her and Tina felt a little bit of her anger disappear.

Sorry about all this TI didnt think so many members of the board of trustees would show up tonight.

Its okayall in a days work right?

Yeah. Wow baby you look amazing.

Tina was glad that Bette noticed what she was wearing and smiled warmly at her in response. Bette was just about to open her mouth to say something else when that woman from before came walking up to them.

Im sorry to interrupt but I was just wondering if I could steal her away for a minute?

Tina looked at the woman like she wanted to kill her but didnt say anything as she waited for Bette to politely tell the woman to back off. Instead Bette gave the woman a brief smile before introducing Tina.

Sure, in a second. Tina this is Megan Friedman. Megan this is Tina Kennard.

Nice to meet you.

You too.

Im sorry I just need to borrow her for one second.

Megan pulled Bette away before Tina could respond and she glared at them as they made their way through the crowd. Tina couldnt believe Bettes behavior right then and Tina had just about enough of this. She made her way to the exit and quickly got into her car and drove home.

A few hours later Bette opened her door to find Tina waiting on her couch. Tina was sitting there with her arms crossed over her chest and she still hadnt changed out of her dress. Tina had gone home originally to crawl into bed, but something stopped her and she had changed routes and ended up at Bettes instead. She had used the past few hours to try and rationalize her emotions and up until Bette opened the door Tina had felt calm and patient, but the minute she saw Bette all that was out the door. Bette saw Tina and gave her a surprised look at first but that changed to one of concern when she saw Tinas expression.

Baby whats wrong?

Tina didnt say anything at first because she was trying to decide what to do. She knew they were both exhausted and any way she looked at it she knew this fight was not going to be pretty. Tina stood up while keeping her arms crossed and gave Bette a hard stare before finally speaking. When she did her voice was ice cold and Bette looked at her in shock as she had rarely seen Tina so upset with her.

Who was that woman you were talking to tonight Bette?

What? What woman?

The one who interrupted us when we were talking, Megan whatever her name was, which by the way thanks for NOT telling her I was your girlfriend.

Tina what on earth are you talking about?

Look if you didnt want me to come tonight it would have been fine by me okay?

Tina of course I wanted you to come.

Well it would have been nice to see you more than five minutes while I was there.

Tina why are you doing this?

Because I havent seen you in almost a month and when I finally did get to see you it was for like five minutes before you were off having to entertain someone else. Look Bette

No you look TinaI dont know where all this is coming from but it is going to stop. I am too tired to fight with you right now and all I want to do is go to sleep. I dont know what you are talking about and honestly right now I really dont care.

Bette threw her things down and stormed past Tina to her bedroom. Tina stood there slack jawed as she let Bettes harsh words sink in. She had seen Bettes temper flare before but it had never been directed at Tina until tonight. Tina felt the stubbornness rising quickly and she followed Bette to her bedroom stopping in the doorway to continue her line of questioning as Bette changed for bed.

You never answered my question Bette. Who was that woman you were talking to?

Shes just an old friend Tina. Okay? Now drop it.

She looked like more than a friend to me.

What is that supposed to mean?

Oh come on BetteI saw the way she was looking at you. I saw her hit on you. And even worse I saw you let her do it. I swear Betteif you cheat on me

TINA I DIDNT DO ANYTHING WITH HER OKAY?

They were yelling at each other and Tina could feel the anger settling down in her stomach with no intentions of vacating the premises anytime soon. Bette was standing there glaring at her and Tina gave her a cold look right back.

I saw her hanging all over you BetteGod she had more of your attention tonight then I did.

Is that what you think Tina? Well for your information were trying to get her to do a show at the gallery which is why I had to kiss her ***** so much tonight okay? So is that it? Anything else you want to know?

Tina winced at Bettes sarcastic tone and she raised an eyebrow at Bette before choosing her next words carefully. Her first instinct was to be passive aggressive and give Bette some smart ***** remark then walk away but Tina fought back the urge to do that. She was tired of having these little fights with Bette and then worrying about what was going to happen after.

Fine. Im sorry for getting upset. I just missed you thats all.

Bette had finished changing and she walked over to Tina wrapping her arms around her waist. Tina didnt hug her back though and Bette tried to pull Tina closer but Tina just stood there frozen in part by anger and in part by embarrassment. She felt stupid for jumping to conclusions about Bette and she had known all along that Bette would not cheat on her. Bette smoothed some hair away from Tinas face and looked her in the eye as she spoke softly.

Im sorry too babylook its been a long week for both of us. Why dont we just go to bed and talk about this in the morning?

Okay but I have something to say first. Look I know its your job to charm the artists and get your shows set up but do you have to be soI dont knowflirtatious with them? I mean its not like you cant charm them any other way.

TinaI wasnt flirting with her. Look truth is she is someone I once dated a long time ago and weve been friends ever since. Im sorry if you

You slept with her?

Tina pushed Bette off her and stood there folding her arms over her chest again. This was certainly news to Tina and she didnt like the fact that Bette hadnt brought it up until now. Bette reached for Tina again but Tina backed up a step waiting for Bette to answer. Bette had an exasperated look on her face and when she spoke to Tina her voice was slightly irritated.

Tina it was two years agowhat is the big deal?

How would you like it if I told you that I once slept with someone I was working with?

It wouldnt matter to me because youre with me now and I trust you.

Tina couldnt believe her ears. Bette was about the most jealous person Tina knew and she couldnt believe that Bette was trying to talk her way out of this situation.

That is a load of ***** and you know it Bette.

Tina turned around and walked to the front door of Bettes house. Bette followed her but Tina didnt stop until she was in her car and driving down the street. She couldnt believe she had just walked out on Bette, but the jealousy had morphed her into someone she didnt know. Tina sighed as she glanced at the clock and saw that it was two in the morning and too late to call anyone. She just needed someone to talk to so Tina dialed the one person she knew she could call anytime day or night and for any reason. After a few rings the phone was finally answered and Tina immediately felt bad for calling so late.

Hllo?

Hey Ericits Tina.