“There was a time you know, when I knew even if you didn’t tell me.”  When she didn’t need to ask because she already knew how things were and how her day went.

 A reflective affirmation followed, “Yes you did.”

Neither said much for a while.

“More?”

“No thank you.”

It was time.  She didn’t need to say it because Bette knew too.  The sky had darkened and the solitary bird no longer visible where it perched.

The blonde straightened her chair as she got up.  Tina carried her glass and reached for the half-filled bottle with her right hand before following Bette back into the house.  She lay the bottle down on a table next to the counter then went to the kitchen to rinse her used glass. 

They met by the front door and wordlessly, they embraced.  Letting go, they gazed into each other’s eyes with calm surrender as if to say things would be fine and everything would be better. 

“I’ll see you.” Bette’s voice was strong but hushed.

“Okay,” Tina answered with glistening eyes. She looked down at the molding that accented the threshold and everything came to a fore.  “Bette…” her voice cracked. 

The brunette’s own eyes were wet as she leaned forward and gently put her cheek next to Tina’s.  They stayed that way for a while and each felt everything in that embrace. 

Bette turned slightly to kiss Tina’s soft skin with a tenderness that captured the blonde’s breath.

They moved away from each other.  Again the woman who faced the street said, “I’ll see you.”

Tina’s mouth trembled as she tried to say something but couldn’t.  Instead, she looked at the woman who changed her life and held her gaze.  Finally, she turned to climb down those few steps she had taken for what seemed a million times before onto the walkway that led to her waiting car.

Bette retreated inside electing not to watch.

Behind a closed door, the warm toned woman turned the deadbolt and slipped off her shoes.  She walked into the house and stopped next to the table on which her empty glass rested along with the shared bottle of wine. 

The brunette poured a healthy amount and breathed out heavily. 

Lifting the glass to dry lips she drank.  She reached for it again but after a moment decided against finishing what was left on her own. 

Instead, Bette put the half-empty bottle back down on the richly grained acacia wood surface.  Next to Tina’s key.

–