“You are so not going to make this easy for me, are you?”

“No, no I’m not.  I have found you incredibly attractive since the moment I saw you, but I have tried to be respectful of the fact that, you my friend, happen to be very much married to a very healthy, and as Alice so frequently reminded me this evening ‘hot’ looking… MAN.”

Tina looked at her plate and took a moment to gather what she wanted to say.  She looked at Bette with knitted brows and pleading eyes.  Bette reached her hand toward Tina and spoke.

“It’s okay Tina, you can talk to me.  We’re friends.  Of that I’m certain.  Good friends.  Just tell me what’s going on with you.”  Bette leaned down to look into Tina’s eyes. “Trust me, okay.”

Tina gave Bette a faint smile and sighed and then began. 

“Okay, well…let me start with I really don’t want to screw this up, you know, us.  Bette this, um friendship, this…you and me, whatever the fuck it is, it means the world to me and I really don’t think I could deal with it if I fucked this up.  You know?”

“Tina, I know.  Believe me I know.  I’ve felt the same way like a billion times since the day I met you.”

“Really?”

“Really, come on get real.  I was in the pool.  I was in Santa Barbara.  And the thousand times you’ve smiled at me, Tina, come on.  Do know how many times I’ve wanted to just touch you?  I’ve just resigned myself to the fact that we would be friends because…you know…”  Bette got quiet and looked down and then continued.

“Tina, have you um, ever um, been with a woman before?”

Tina looked up at Bette and quietly responded.  “Bette, no.  I’m not even sure if I’ve ever been attracted to a woman before.  Shit Bette I’ve only, I feel like such a dork.  Shit Bette I’ve only ever slept with Joe.  I dated a bit before him but nothing too …you know.  Well, I don’t know.  I’m not sure…I’ve been kind of… I don’t know Bette.  I’ve been going over every relationship I’ve ever had in my life these past few weeks and maybe there have been times when I was somewhat attracted to women, but I don’t know.  Everything changed when I met you.  Bette all I know is how I feel when I’m with you.  How I feel when I look at you.  How I feel when you touch me.  Bette I’ve never felt this attracted to anyone in my life but , frankly I’m really not sure what any it means.”