(Previously, on “Lost”…)

The ride home was silent, spent on contemplation that passed unseen as Eric stared out the window, thinking about Opies art and its advantages. Tina traced Porters touches on the back of her hand, her shoulders, her waist, with imperfect memory.

As she stepped out of the car, her hands tracing Bettes vaporous fingers on the side of her neck where Porter had touched her last, she felt a yawning absence.

Tina caught herself in a smile. The earring was gone.

~*~*~*~

(Continued…)

Hey Bette, Alice called from beyond the divider. Theyre done closing up here. Pat told me to give you the keys. You better lock up soon.

Okay.

Alice slowly walked into Bettes office and placed the gallery keys on the tabletop. She hit you hard didnt she?

Bette smiled knowingly. Yes, unfortunately.

Well, fortunately, Alice said matter-of-factly. At least your cruising days are over and then Ill have less to worry about.

Alice referred to the step-in, step-out manner by which the community seemed to treat connections forged inside a club or a bar. Of all those relationships, this particular one she had with Bette Porter was more of a blessing than a good lay, more like a deeply sown affection than the tired ministrations of a wanderer.

We dont know that for sure yet. Bettes eyes glinted with mischief. The shimmer faded a bit as she limply put an earring on the table before her.

Yeah, we do, Alice said. All that glitters is not gold and the silver caught her eye more readily than anything else would have. What is that? Rather, whose is that? Her face crumpled in dismay. *****

Like a character in a movie witnessing impending doom, her mouth lay open in a recognizable O shape and as though on excruciating playback, Alice reached for the piece of jewelry.

This, Alice said, is exactly what launched a thousand ships and laid waste to great cities. Alice held it between her forefinger and thumb, bringing it level to her eyes until it glinted against the light. She shook her head slightly, blinking, ready to react at what was conspiring behind Bettes walls.

Its Tinas.

I know that, Bette! Alice said, incredulous, already aware of whose ear it was that had previously owned it. For all your pretentious banter

No, no, Bette interjected. I came across it while they were cleaning up the gallery.

Why is it that I dont believe you? At all? Her hanging mouth open, the earring dangling from her palm and her eyes registering disbelief, Alice thrust the piece back to Bette. You know what, Im going home. This is too much for one night. All the art work, all the drama, all the ogling, the champagne She continued to ramble about Eric, Opie, and never once, mentioned Tinas name.

Alice Bette pleaded, leaning forward from where she sat, as though that would draw the other woman to face her. When Alice did stop to look, Bette continued with a smirk, Dont tell me youre jealous.

A flash of irritation, a warning hand raised up, Alice told her gravely, Just dont tell me I didnt warn you.

About seducing straight girls? Bette joked.

About playing with fire and not expecting to get burned, Alice said, with dangerous grace. Thats it. Im leaving. Ill thank you when I feel more grateful. Especially now when I cant feel even a smidgen of gratitude for getting yourself into this colossal mess. Or at least, what will be a colossal mess. Going, going She slipped through the door. Gone! was her muffled shout.

Bette watched her friend go, sighing as she did so, and putting the earring carefully inside an envelope. It didnt hurt to play a little, Bette thought but in some inner part of her, she knew better.

~*~*~*~

The next few hours was for Bette, uneventful. She spent the rest of the late evening staring languidly off into the skyline lit by the inner lights of the city, where few rarely or never, slept. It wasnt until she heard the muted sounds of a woman shouting Hello? Hello! Anyone here? through the gallery doors that she stood up with renewed determination. Her suit lying forgotten at the back of her seat, she breathed deeply and drifted towards the voice. The discarded suit represented for her the conscious effort of peeling away debilitating masks, of relaxing her defenses, to keep what had been given to her in full.

As she appeared from behind the divider, back-lit by the light beyond as the gallery lay mostly in darkness, she was -in Tinas eyes, a seductress, a dark angel coming to claim her, encased in light.

Tina took an involuntary step back, her hand against the glass. As Bette opened the gallery doors, Tina muttered, Im sorry. But I left something and

You thought to come over without waiting for the sun to rise? Even, to place a courteous -if not thoughtful -call the next morning?

Her tone wasnt reprimanding; rather, it was spoken with speculation, curiosity, and an arrogant knowledge of why Tina had come back.

No. The earring is just really important to me.

Is Eric with you?

Tina glanced behind her, at the car where Eric waved apologetically. Hey Bette! the boyfriend said from beyond the wheel. Im really sorry this had to happen. She wouldnt leave me alone. I hope you dont mind. I know its wholly unprofessional of me but

Oh, stop, Eric, Bette chided, I dont take it against you that youre bonded to servitude to this exquisite woman. She raised a hand to halt any more resounding apologies, smiling her most amiable smile, which eventually silenced the man into trusting what came from her mouth.

You said it! Eric conceded, raising his hands in surrender.

Bette turned her attention to Tina once more, her gaze intensely dark, brewing a plan to castigate all other plans. She was Death then, an unnamed certainty from whom all fear sprung, because it was the unknown staring back with the same, feminine face. I left the earring inside. Wont you come with me? Bette told Tina.

A hand outstretched, Tina was that soul entering the River, courting the other side, as she counted the coins that would pay for passage on Charon -no Bettes -boat. There would be no return, once the fruit tasted on the Rivers far bank left wistful flavors on her mouth.

But the River had to be traversed, the prize claimed and it was Bette who took her hand, and pulled her through the Styx, without counting Tinas coins or taking them for her own.

~*~*~*~

TBC