A few days later, Bette sat at her desk at the CAC.  James knocked lightly on the door and popped his head in. 

James: There’s a Tina Kennard for you on Line 1.

Bette: Thanks James.

Bette picked up the phone and connected the call.

Bette: Bette Porter.

Tina:  Hi Bette, it’s Tina.

Bette: Well hello, roommate.  Don’t tell me you’re calling to back out on me? She said playfully, yet half-serious.

Tina: (Chuckling) No, not at all.  I’m just calling to confirm that we’re all set for Saturday.  I hope it’s okay that I called you at work.

Bette: It’s not a problem, Tina. And yes, we’re all set.  I hope you don’t mind, but I asked a few friends to come help move you in.  I just thought we’d have a little welcoming party.

Tina: (Smiling shyly to herself) That sounds great.  That’s sweet, thank you.

Bette: Sure.  So, you think you’ll miss the’burbs?

Bette swiveled in her chair to face the back wall.  She wrapped the phone cord lazily around her hand.  Something about this woman’s voice made her feel at ease, and the few conversations that they’d had flowed smoothly.

Tina: No, I think suburbia and I have just grown apart.  It’s no one’s fault really.  A mutual split, she joked.

Bette: As long as I don’t get any jealous exes knocking on my door.

Tina: (Laughing) No, the suburbs and I are amicable, I promise.

After sharing a laugh, Bette’s face grew staid again.  She spun back towards her desk and rested on her elbows.

Bette: Look Tina, there’s something you should know before you get here Saturday.

Tina: Okay… (growing slightly apprehensive by Bette’s sudden seriousness)

Bette: My friends and I… well, we’re lesbians

Bette waited with baited breath for a response.

Tina: And?

She was waiting for the real blow.

Bette: No, that’s it.  That’s what I wanted to tell you. 

Tina: Jesus Christ, Bette. You scared me. I thought you were gonna tell me something terrible, like you’re in a chain gang or something.

Bette smiled.

Bette:  Well, that too.  I was going to wait till Saturday to spring that one on you.

Tina: Aw, your plan is foiled. On a serious note, though.  Bette, I have absolutely no qualms about who you love and who you’re attracted to.

Bette: Why Ms. Kennard, that’s a big-city outlook you have there.  You sure you’re from a small town?

Tina:  Unfortunately yes.

The girls eventually wrapped up their conversation, wishing each other well for the few short days until Tina’s arrival. 

Bette hung up the phone feeling oddly serene.  Conversations with Tina were so effortless; their banter was comfortable and reflexive.  Flawless, as if it had been rehearsed.  Bette felt that she had made the right choice in a roommate.  Inviting somebody to move into her home was a big step. 

For the first time, Bette opened up to the possibility that perhaps this could be the start of a great friendship.