“Same sort of story as you. Hated Emma and told her so. Went to college and spent six months being pretty wild. I partied every night – always went to class with a hangover. The fact that I was only 19 didn’t seem to matter when it came to booze. There was always parties that were full of beer and I acquired a false ID – that lead to bars and more booze. I got so bad that I was called to see my tutor and told if I didn’t hand some essays in I would be in a lot of trouble “
Bette laughed
“The truth was that I was in pain about you and regardless of the parties and yes – the brunettes I woke up with – there was still this pain. I had a lot of people tell me that my mother had done the right thing – that you and I wouldn’t have survived if we had gone to the same college “
“I have tried telling myself that – and I know it’s the logical truth “ Bette said “But I didn’t  believe it four years ago and I don’t believe it now “
Tina picked up her beer “ I can see why they did it – that is about as much leeway as I let them have. But as usual Emma  made a decision and she didn’t give a fuck about the consequences of her actions. She just made the call and we were supposed to just fall in with her. She still cannot see my point of view – she still cannot accept that you and I are anything more than High School sweethearts”
Bette was pretty sure they were a hell of a lot more than High School sweethearts.
Tina frowned “I am just glad that I am now 23 and I can make my own decisions. “
She looked at Bette – she just loved how deep and dark those eyes of hers was “ If I make a mess of things and get hurt – you know what – its my mess and it’s a hurt of my own making. My mother doesn’t get to tell me what to do anymore. After this morning – I really am going to ask dad if I can move in with him and Peter – I know they will say yes and they would support me in whatever I wanted to do “
Bette picked up on Tina’s comment “ What happened this morning ?”
“I went to see Kate – I was nervous and I just wanted someone to reassure me. As soon as I arrived Emma walked in – she had to know I was there – god knows how and why but she walks in and gives me this dirtiest of all dirty looks. She makes some comment about she cannot believe I am doing something as childish as seeing you “
Bette chuckled “ Time has not changed the fact that Emma doesn’t think I am good enough”
“No one is good enough for me – it embarrassing “ Tina shook her head “ And as for the fucking fantasy that I am going to join the family firm “
“I have never been able to see you as a lawyer “
“I am not –  I did Law for part of my degree but it was a real struggle. The problem is I don’t know what else to do. I had hoped that I would come to the end of my four years and I would have a career path in mind. I need to earn some money –  even if I have to waitress I will get a job. I don’t want to get money from my parents. Things are really bad with Emma and today really has made things worse “
“I am sorry “
“My fault “ Tina said “ You know the thing that made me angry – more angry than I got with Emma “
Bette knew the answer to that “ That we didn’t tell Emma and Melvin to go fuck themselves “
Tina nodded and laughed “ Yes. I know it probably wouldn’t have worked  – what with me being as big a tart as you are “ she paused “ But it would have been something that we decided – it would have been us messing things up.”
“We didn’t get closure “ Bette said what they both knew.
“No we didn’t  – which is why we are both here now – four years on”
Their food arrived  – big plates containing a burger, fries and side orders of onion rings. Bette beamed at the sight of the food “ Lovely”
“We have condiments and sauces over there madam “
“Thank you” Bette stood up “ Sauce ?”
Tina nodded as she ate several hot fries – she really was hungry. Bette grinned and went to get salt, tomato ketchup for Tina and black pepper for herself. When she got back Tina was still shoving fries into her mouth
“Is Emma not feeding you ?” Bette asked with amusement
“I was too nervous “ Tina said
“Are you nervous now ?”
“Not in the same way “ Tina replied honestly
Bette grinned and sat down and finished her second beer. At least they were being honest with one another. One of the things that Bette had feared was that she would hide her feelings in her usual way but just being with Tina it seemed to make her relax and give her the encouragement to talk about her feelings. After the food was finished and they were almost at the bottom of their third beer Bette decided that she needed to test her newly acknowledged self confidence.
“What about it then ? “
Tina looked at her with surprise “What about what ?”
“I would hope that its obvious “
“Obvious ? “ Tina knew what she thought Bette was referring to – but she didn’t want to totally screw  things up by assuming too much.
“ We both want to have sex don’t we?”