“Or if you like drawing pictures during recess instead of playing jump rope: you’re weird.”

Bette grinned the toothiest grin she could muster and replied, “I like drawing pictures instead of jumping rope too.” 

Tina smiled, but looked defeated at the same time, “I wish you went to my school, Bette.  You’re the coolest person I’ve met since I moved from Pennsylvania.”

Bette looked up and Tina with an angelic look that showed she accepted Tina’s compliment, but was embarrassed by it.  “Thanks Tina, I wish we went to the same school too. Here, let’s set up the blanket for the picnic.  Do you want the pizza or sandwich lunchable?”

“What?” Tina asked.

(Present time)

“What?” Tina asked, shaking her head out of her day dream.  “I’m sorry, Helena, what did you ask?”

Helena looked annoyed that Tina seemed to be zoning out during their alleged date.  “I asked if you’d prefer the red or white wine.”  Helena held up a bottle of each, one in each hand.  She had asked Tina to her office under the pretense of finalizing a donation agreement.

“Oh, neither. Just a water, I shouldn’t drink because I have to go straight back to work.”

“All right, fine,” Helena’s patience growing thin by Tina ruining the romantic mood she was trying to create.  “Let’s talk about this donation then.” 

“Yes, so how long have you and Bette been dating?” Tina asked, clearly not having heard what Helena just said. 

“Uh, I’m sorry?” Helena was confused by Tina’s question, but took it as a hint that Tina was curious on whether she was available or Bette and her relationship was monogamous.  “We have been together for 5 months.  Hardly a commitment,” Helena smiled and winked at Tina.

“And you two live together?”

“Oh no, darling.  I have my own apartment on the beach.  It is actually not far from here, if you’d like to see it.”

Tina was catching on to Helena’s attempt to get Tina back to her apartment.  Tina could have asked, ‘Do you think Bette is in love with me?’ and Helena would have answered, ‘No, darling, not like I am,’ followed by a cheesy wink.  Tina laughed to herself, Bette deserved so much better and she had intended on righting the mistake that happened 20 years ago.