Who was that woman, Bette?

I knew that question was coming.

An old friend, I answered honestly.
More than an old friend, wouldnt you say? She knows Evan.

How was she able to figure all that out? I mean, I didnt…Helena didnt say anything.

Well.

Tina stood outside of the car as we prepared to leave The Planet.
I began to stutter.

Shshe was a girgirlfriend. A long long time agago.
Okay, she accepted climbing into the car.
Okay,I whispered to myself.

An argument avoided.

Bette, she grabbed my hand as I slid the key into the ignition, I know that there have been others before me. Alice has eagerly told me that. So dont be afraid to admit that any woman was your ex. That or she was in the past. I trust that. I trust you.

As she held my hand, I stared at our fingers lacing through each other.

I trust you, too.
Thats good to know, she laughed.
It just that…Tina, Helena was apart of a life I want to leave behind. Far behind.
Seems like she doesnt know that or she just doesnt care.
Oh, she knows. She just doesnt care, I sighed.

I looked out in front of us at the crowd crossing the street. I had to tell her something. Something big. I just didnt know how she would handle it.

Babe, what are you thinking right now? she asked trailing her fingertips behind my ear.
I have…Im thinking how lucky I am to have found you, I smiled bringing her hand to my lips.

I kissed her knuckles.

And Im lucky that you found me, she returned.

*****

I stood in front of the mirror curling my hair trying to get it just the way she liked it. Tina loved my curls. She loved running her finger through my hair, she loved playing in my hair. I loved the way she caressed my hair. The she did it the same way my mother used to…before she died. She would massage my scalp, relaxing me almost to the state of sleep. Then she would pull my curls, wrapping them around her fingers and letting them bounce back. I was hoping that after this dinner tonight with Helena, Tina would help me relax.

The door bell rang.