…………………………………….

Bette came home and by now everyone was done eating breakfast. Tina’s mother came up to her as she was in the foyer still bent over trying to catch her breath, “Baby I saved you some breakfast. Now you go on and take your shower and come down and make sure you clean your plate.“

“Yes ma’am.“ she replied smiling at the older woman.

Bette was in the letting the water relax and soothe the muscles that were aching from being driven so hard so soon. When the need to cry just overwhelmed her. She felt like letting her knees buckle and falling to the floor to just release some of the emotional anxiety she’d pent up on the outcome of their meeting again. But she didn’t, her anger at Tina’s comment wouldn’t let her give in to it. She shed a few solitary tears and continued to try and let good thoughts be her guide to stability.

After a long shower and some much needed Texas sized breakfast Bette was in her room working on a letter she would need to send to her record company. She was letting them know that her moving to Philadelphia might still be a possibility. She heard a quick knock on the door and in came Tina without waiting for an invitation.

“I’ve been trying to figure out how you could say you love me and let Justine hurt me like that. I get that you were in a difficult spot, ok I understand that. But how could you let her do that for so long? You covered for her, you made up excuses, you comforted me when I felt like I was alone in the relationship, why not tell me then? What held your loyalty to her?”

Bette thought about the question for a while and the same simple answer came to her, “You.” Bette said with her eyes fixed on Tina, who by now was getting more and more angry at Bette’s calm and cool demeanor. “You wanted Justine, you loved Justine, you were happy with Justine. I never wanted you to be unhappy, Tina.” she said now standing face to face with Tina.

“I wanted you, Bette.” Tina said barely above a whisper and with her head hung low. By now her eyes were tearing up and she couldn’t help the pull that Bette’s proximity brought. Tina brought her head up to see Bette’s eyes looking beyond her and it hurt not to touch her. She rushed forward and kissed her, her longing devoured her, and her need to kiss Bette compelled her forward. Tina felt the wall press into her back with the strength of Bette’s body pressed into her hard, and the feel of Bette taking her hands and driving them over her head, the force of the kiss drew a long moan from her.

She threw her head back and accidentally flipped the light switch. The bright light drew her eyes open and caused her to push Bette away from her. Bette’s face was deep red and she could see the blush rinsing itself away through Tina’s neck. Bette took two steps back, ran her hand down the side of her face, feeling the warmth in her own cheeks as she closed her eyes and threw her head back.

Tina watched as frustration ran through her body. She found herself being turned on by the sight of her long, delicate neck stretched and her hand caressing her neck slowly trying to alleviate some tension. But at the same time she wanted to be angry with her, she still felt the need to be mad with her.

“Fuck.” she breathed as she opened the door still looking at Bette and backed out of it. She opened it just enough to squeeze through it and closed it softly not wanting to slam it. Bette wanted to go after her, she really did, but she couldn’t. She didn’t have enough strength to chase her again, and feel the same mental lethargy that seemed to tag along in their conversations. She closed her laptop and threw her body on the bed bringing her arm across her eyes, she went to sleep.