Some kind of wonderful
Chapter 5

“Did you enjoy Yale ?” Tina asked. For about an hour they had just been talking like two old friends catching up on old times. But they both knew that they had a lot of intense stuff to discuss as well. Tina was half scared about asking Bette about her feelings but she was mature enough to know that at some point the elephant in the room had to be acknowledged and tackled
“Yes – yes I did. The people were amazing – some of them were snobs but you must have got that at Harvard as well”
Tina nodded “Yeah – some real rich kid jackasses “
“Goes with the territory “ Bette agreed “ But for the most part people were great. I had some bad spells – everyone does. But  I just dug in – stopped seeing people, ran more and studied more “
“I knew you would have a great time – you are so self-reliant “
Its not always the best trait to have . At times it can be positively self destructive to be so isolated “ Bette said dryly picking up the menu and looking at it again.
Tina could sense Bette’s defences had gone up very fast with that comment. She wondered what Bette meant by that – had someone hurt her ? Tina hated the thought that anyone would hurt Bette. She knew how much pain she had been in when  they had parted – somehow knowing Bette was also hurting had made the pain a little easier. But they had been apart for four years – so many women could have broken the brunette’s heart. Bette was different to Tina – she was more innocent -but seemingly – that had changed at Yale.
Tina took a drink of her beer and wondered what to say. Was  this the right time ? Well maybe not – give it a bit longer. If there was one thing that would probably scare Bette off it would be if Tina demanded they have a BIG conversation after just an hour.
But there were questions – was Bette seeing anyone ? Was there anyone special in her past that she was still in love with ? Was there anyone she wanted to be with now that she was back in New York ? That question pulled Tina up sharp  – she wanted the answer to that question to be “Tina Kennard “
“So what did you do at Yale apart from be brilliant at everything – any new interests ?”
“Played some basketball which I enjoyed but I am not tall enough. I really got serious about swimming – I did some triathlons last summer. I gave a few sports a go- tried archery and I was rubbish at it – lots of Robin Hood jokes, I play squash really well – mainly because a friend of mine is really good at it and she was always dragging me out to play. I got good at it – mainly because I got so sick of being trashed “
“So is that were the competitive nature emerged ?” Tina said teasing
Bette grinned “ Yeah – there is nothing like being beaten out of sight week in and week out to make you realise how much you hate losing. Its all well and good saying that you are not competitive when you are winning everything that you can do – but throw in some thrashes – and it changed things “
“You were so sure that you were non-competitive “
“Oh reflection “ Bette said exhaling “ On reflection it was completely about my lack of self confidence. No one likes a smart ass who is always looking to beat you into oblivion”
“So you have more self confidence now ?” That was obvious to Tina but she was curious about what Bette would say