Tina put the key in the ignition and was just about to turn the key when Bette had spoken. With her hand still on the key, she turned to look at Bette.

            “Oh,” she smiled suggestively with one eyebrow arched,” What is it you thought mudding was?”

            “Oh, well I thought we” Bette pulls on the seat belt but it wouldn’t budge.

            “I forgot there is a trick to that one.” Tina undid her own seat belt so she could scoot to the middle of the bench seat. She leans over Bette to open the passenger side door. Bette breathes in the sweet smell that is Tina. Opening the glove box Tina pulls out a rubber mallet and begins to tap at strategic places on the truck.

            “Got it!” She exclaims in triumph. She puts the mallet back in the glove box and buckles Bette in. She starts to slide back to the driver’s seat when she stops, “Oops, forgot the door.” Changing direction she is once again almost on top of Bette. In the process of closing the door, she brushes against Bette’s chest. Tina sits up slightly, her nose almost touching Bette’s, “sorry about that.”

            “That is ok,” Bette manages in a composed voice. Bette hoped it was convincing considering the fact that her breath was labored and her ***** strained against the constrictiveness of her suit jacket. As the seconds ticked by neither of them moved, each waiting in expectation.      

                  ‘I want to kiss her.’ The thought echoed in both minds almost simultaneously. The thought got different reactions from each woman. As Bette leaned forward to close the gap, Tina sat up the rest of the way once again in the middle seat.

            “Ok, let us blow this popsicle stand.” Tina said as she slides back in to the driver’s seat to start up the truck.

The drove in relative silence, each absorbed in analysis of the brief encounter. The tension was thick, it settled upon them like a snowy blanket that hides the new sprouts of spring.

            “Oh, I love this song,” Tina turns up the radio. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers fill the cab of the truck in the gentle serenade.