Out of Closet (B&T time-travel romance), Ch. 10

Chapter 10: Lightning can strike…literally (Bette feels an unexpected urge and she acts on it and Tina is trying to solve the mystery of miniature)

Place: Orange County, CA

Year: 1885

(Previously) “Wow,” Elizabeth said softly, “Sounds just the way I felt when Christina left, but I still don’t understand…”

“Sappho lived on the Isle of Lesbos and supposedly the targets of her affections were female, often women who were sent to her for the art education. She took care of those women, wrote poems of love and adoration for them, and when they would eventually leave the island to be married, she wrote their wedding songs. Hence, the word Lesbian, meaning women attracted to women,” Alicia said enthusiastically, as if all her life she was waiting to share this information. “Bette, you are having feelings for a woman. I know it can be overwhelming and confusing, but love is love and sometimes you can’t help who you love.”

“I didn’t say I love her,” Elizabeth said a little defensively, knowing that Alicia hit the target.

“Okay, not love, but at least you can admit you feel an attraction towards her. You know, in the past, pre-Freud…you’ve heard about Freud, right?” Elizabeth gave Alicia irritated look and Alicia realized that sarcasm and humor were not the right approach right now, so she continued more seriously, “…well, before that it was more acceptable for women to express strong passions towards one another. Just take one step at a time and go with the flow.”

Elizabeth looked at Alicia completely bewildered and said, “That’s exactly what I said to Christina. Funny, how our minds just think alike.”

~~~~~~~~

Elizabeth couldn’t find strength or desire to paint after Christina left, so she went to her bedroom and spent the rest of the day reading some cheesy romance novels and trying to take the image of Christina off her mind.

The next day, Christina arrived at the usual time and she was polite and attentive, but for most part their conversations and time they spent together was so civilized and so professional that Elizabeth felt coldness and hesitation on Christina’s part. Christina successfully avoided Elizabeth’s glances and touches and left right after it was time for their usual afternoon tea break.