The Roommates – Fast Forward to 2019: Chapter 9

That evening, Bette sat at the desk in her home office, editing a to-do list she had for tomorrow. It felt good to feel in control of something. She was confident that everything was on track for the art opening on the 4th of December. Her assistant, James, had been keeping artists on point, working with the set designers, and ensuring contracts were signed. He’d provided her with daily updates and she’d reviewed them all.

When that was done, she picked out an outfit to wear, settling on a pair of black slacks with a white sweater and gray croc-print Manolo Blahniks. She held one of the four-inch heels in her hand and softly whispered, “fuck it”.

I think I should be able to walk in these shoes, but I need to practice.

She slipped on both shoes and started walking. The walk-in closet was carpeted so she walked out through the bathroom and in the master bedroom. She was wearing a pair of tight, white shorts and a black long-sleeved t-shirt.

Bette looked up when the doorbell rang and walked quickly out to the living room to answer it. Her stride was confident. The shoes would definitely work. Her feet didn’t hurt. Maybe the memories she’d received from Dana had also included the memory of how to walk in heels.

Bette smiled to herself at that thought.

She turned on the porch light and gazed through the peephole. Her heart beat faster and she pulled the door open quickly.

“Tina?” she asked.

Tina was standing before her in a pair of jeans, red t-shirt, and leather jacket. “You didn’t let me finish,” she said.

“What?”

“Earlier. You didn’t let me finish. Can I come in?” asked Tina.

Bette nodded and stepped aside, letting Tina pass by her. Bette shut and locked the door.

She gazed curiously at Tina. “I thought you were busy tonight. You have your trip tomorrow.”

Tina was staring at her. At her long legs and her calves as she stood in the gray Manolo Blahniks.

She wasn’t quite sure why she had come to see Bette, but it had been hard to stay away. She had heard the uncertainty in Bette’s voice earlier. Tina had reasoned that it was much easier to talk face to face than to try and clear things up on the phone.