Chapter 20

Bette thumbed through the mail on her desk at the CAC. “Junk…junk…junk…bill…*****…” She stopped and stared at the envelope in her hand. It was addressed to ‘Ms. Bette Porter c/o CAC’ – the return address said only ‘Candace Jewel’. “Oh *****!’ Bette studied the envelope and debated whether to throw it away or open it. Either way, she knew she’d have to tell Tina about it – or she’d be betraying her trust – again. “*****! – why now Candace? – why now? *****!” Bette opened the envelope. She read the note inside.

Dear Bette,

I hear you’re doing well.
Please give this to Tina.
Take care!

Candace

There was another sealed envelope with Tina’s name on it. “*****!” Bette wondered what Candace could possibly have to say to Tina. Bette thought to herself that she and Candace never really knew each other – all they shared was lust. For all Bette knew, the letter in front of her might say something that could totally blow apart everything she and Tina had worked so hard to rebuild over the last seven months. “*****!” Bette debated whether or not to open the envelope. If she did – she’d know what it said – but she’d still need to give it to Tina. If she didn’t open it – she wouldn’t know what it said – but she still needed to give it to Tina. She decided that she’d only feel guilty if she opened it. Bette took the note and the envelope and stuffed both of them into her briefcase. She’d give them to Tina after dinner.

When Bette arrived home, Tina greeted her with a sweet smile, a gentle kiss and a hug. “Hey Babe, how was your day?”

Bette was dying inside – “Oh, it was just kind of a strange day…”

“Baby…what’s wrong?”

“Nothing really Tina – can we talk about my day after dinner? So…how did my favorite girl spend her day?”

“I spent most of it thinking about you.” Tina winked at Bette. “Then I spent about two hours in bed.”

“With who?” This was an attempt by Bette to be playful. It wasn’t until after she’d said it that she realized that with what was coming after dinner – it was ill timed. But- she couldn’t unring the bell.

“No – the correct question would be ‘Doing what?’” Tina winked at Bette again.

Bette smiled at Tina. “You’re so damn cute.” Bette hugged Tina and gave her a squeeze.

“Jeez Bette…you’re so tense. I can feel the knots in your back. I’ll give you a massage later…ok?”

“Yeah T…I’d like that.”

“Let’s eat – everything is ready and outside on the table by the pool. Why don’t you go change into something more comfortable?”

Tina walked out to the pool. Bette made her way into the bedroom where she stripped off her suit and her bra and put on shorts and a t-shirt.

Bette opened her briefcase and pulled out the note and the envelope. She let out a sigh and then stuffed them into her pocket. She then met Tina at the pool.

When they finished dinner it was dark outside. They sat at the table staring at one another through candle light.

“Ok – give it up Porter – what happened today? You’ve been awfully quiet.”

Bette reached into her pocket and pulled out the note and the envelope. She looked at Tina and said, “This came to my office today -it’s from Candace. Tina…” She stopped herself.

Tina took the note and the envelope from Bette’s hand. She read the note Candace had written to Bette first.
When she finished reading it, she let it drop to the table. She opened the envelope and began reading. Bette watched her for a reaction. As Tina scanned the letter – her eyes filled with tears. When she finished reading it, she handed the letter to Bette, stood up and walked toward the house. “I’m going to bed.” That was all she said as she disappeared into the house.

Bette felt her heart sink. Tears began running down her cheeks. She whispered, “***** you Candace…***** you!” Bette picked up the letter and began reading it.

Dear Tina,

It’s been seven months since you found out about Bette and I. I haven’t seen or spoken to Bette since I heard you found out and I backed out of my contract with the CAC.

I need to tell you a few things so that I can go on with my life – I’ve felt nothing but guilt all this time.

You may or may not already know this – but Bette did try to resist me. I made the first move – she didn’t. I guess, looking back, that my pursuit of Bette happened for a number of reasons. First of all, I found her irresistable – and I was working with her, the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Then I picked up on a deep vulnerability in her. A part of me knew that she would have a hard time resisting my advances. I took advantage of that vulnerability. I was also on the rebound and searching for something – I’m not sure what.

Bette told me she had a girlfriend – I saw the ring she was wearing. I should have backed off. I really should have backed off.

Tina – I’m so sorry you got hurt. I feel bad about that. Maybe I’d feel differently if I’d never met you.

I heard through the grapevine that you and Bette are doing better than ever – I’m glad. Sincerely – I’m glad. And I hear that the two of you are going to have twins. What a wonderful gift.

Tina, Bette is lucky to have you. I hope someday I will find someone like you to spend the rest of my life with.

Again – I’m sorry.

I wish the four of you peace and love.

Candace

Bette got up from the table and went inside the house. She made her way into the bedroom. Tina was in bed. The room was dark with the exception of the moonlight streaming in through the window.

Bette got into bed – tears still running down her cheeks. She closed her eyes and for the first time in years – she found herself saying a prayer. Bette slowly opened her eyes when she felt Tina’s hand take hers. Bette thought to herself, “Thank you God…thank you.”

Bette rolled over onto her side and looked at Tina. She noticed that Tina’s face was wet with tears. “Tina…I’m so…” Tina put a finger to Bette’s lips.

“Bette…shhhh – no more apologies – remember?”

Bette put her hand to Tina’s face and wiped away her tears. “Tina…”

“You don’t need to say anything Babe…please…no more apologies.”

Tina leaned over and gently kissed Bette. They both began to cry. They held onto each other – neither wanting to let go.

“Hey Bette – roll over – I want to give you the backrub I promised you.”

Bette rolled over. Tina moved her hand up and down Bette’s back. She told Bette to take her shirt off. Bette did as she was told and also took off the rest of her clothes too.

Tina continued to rub Bette’s back – massaging out the knots. As she rubbed Bette’s back – her touch became more gentle. She began kissing her way from Bette’s neck – down her back. Bette’s breathing bacame heavy. Tina pressed her body close to Bette’s side. She slid a finger inside Bette and moved it in and out of her slowly. Bette moaned with every movement of Tina’s hand. Bette spoke quietly as she came, “I am so in love with you Tina. Thank you for loving me.” Tina removed her finger from Bette and moved her hand to Bette’s face. She ran her fingers through Bette’s hair and whispered back to her, “I am totally in love with you Bette – everything about you.” They shared a gentle kiss and then drifted off to sleep.