As the water was running down caressing her aching muscles down to her flat stomach, Bette thought about Shanes words. Maybe that was it, the solution. Maybe she should start thinking ahead and not trying to erase the past. She should learn from her mistakes and move on.

Walking back to her bedroom, with her hair still quietly dripping all over the robe, Bette took her cell from the nightstand. It was way past midnight but still, better now than ever she repeated to herself as she turned it on.

***

Letting the cold water caress her closed eyes Tina was trying to relax. It was past midnight and all she wanted to do was to get asleep but lately, the baby was keeping her awake. It wasnt just the huge belly that was making the whole process difficult it was the heat and the constant visiting the bathroom need.

Walking back to her bedroom, barefoot and drying her hair Tina saw Bettes book resting on the nightstand. Unaware of the smile growing on her face she sensually caressed the covers. Unable to stop herself she took it and carefully, very slowly, opened it to let the old, hidden stories scent cradle her memories. Putting it down, she noticed her cells light. Taking it she realized she had a text message. Surprised, wondering who could be, she checked the time before open it.

“Im sorry I didnt call you back. Had a horrible day and then by the time I got home it was late. Will call you tomorrow.”

***

So many things she wanted to say, so many feelings she wanted to add. Bette felt the awkwardness ripping her heart apart. For a second she didnt know how to say it, what to say or how to end the message. It was painfully obvious that she could not say, “I love you” as if they were still together, as if they were going to see each other the next morning. She felt she had to be careful. what it Tina was with Helena? She didnt want to disturb her or to make her mad. Staring at the quiet cell resting on her hand, Bette didnt feel the single quiet tear running down her cheek.

***

Tina read the message twice before getting into bed. She wasnt just surprised but confuse too. She checked the sender because, for a second, she could not believe what she was reading. It was not like Bette to say sorry. It was not like Bette to send text messages on her cell. But then, feeling the antique book resting on the nightstand she thought that, again, that was something that the old Bette could have done. The old Bette, the Bette she fell in love once, was this kind of woman. Nodding, she checked the time Bette sent the message and without thinking, she dialled.

***
Resting the head on the pillows, Bette sighed closing her eyes. In the dark, feeling the breeze caressing her bare arms she hold the cell tight. It was as if holding Tinas hand, something silly she realized but somehow it was comforting her. Letting the tiredness cradle her to sleep she turned around but then, the cells vibrator surprised her.

“Hello?” She asked without time to check who the caller was.

“Hi” shyly whispered Tina.

“Hi” said Bette jumping on the bed. Sitting still, feeling her hand shaking she gulped.

“Are you ok?” she added, suddenly worried, forgetting about the message.

“Yeah, sure…am good…were…were you asleep?” asked Tina, turning the lights off before lying in bed.

“Eh?…no…I wasnt..I…” feeling like a teenager without knowing what to say Bette shook her head, trying to see things more clearly.

Noticing Bettes sudden quietness, Tina said,

“I got your message…I…thank you”

“I..I..I didnt wake you, right?” Bette asked noticing the air filling her lungs again.

“No, no..I..I was taking a shower..coulnt sleep” Tina said, her right hand caressing her belly.

“Yeah…me neither..its a hot night…” Bette added, laying in bed as she was feeling her muscles relaxing again.

“Yes it is…” Tina said looking towards the opened window, noticing the street lightss shadows drawn on the wall.

Listening Bettes sighs, Tina added.

“It is a beautiful book Bette…, thank you”

“Yeah… the moment I saw it I thought about you…” Bettes words were carefully thrown in the air, trying to show what they were not saying, pleading for a moment, for a memory, for a chance.

Noticing Bettes tone, feeling her heart suddenly heavy, Tina sighed. There was something suddenly urging her, there was something bothering her but she didnt know what it was. Surprised, and a bit scared, she took the sheet to cover herself.

“Its beautiful, I like it very much… I…is late Bette…we…we should try to sleep” The words were said as an excuse, lacking of any meaning as Tina was still trying to figure out what was that was bothering her. Hearing Bettes sighs, she added, the sweetest tone caressing her lips as the words were printing a memory.

“Good night Bette…and thank you”

“Good night Tina” answered Bette.

Turning the cell off, Bette looked at the ceiling. The words echoing in her head while Tinas tone was caressing her heart. She knew that tone, shed die for that tone. As much, or as little as Tina said, the tone she used to say good night calmed every piece of Bettes shattered heart.

Placing the cell on the nightstand Bette nodded to herself. Lying in bed she turned to hug Tinas pillow. Moving her leg, she placed it in Tinas side, as if hugging her. Hugging the pillow she closed her eyes trying to imagine Tina in her sleep. She imagined the shape of her body which made hers to shiver instantly. It was painful to think about Tinas body, not just because she always loved it, but because knowing that she was missing the changes, the new curves, the soft spots, the hidden secrets, was something that made Bettes body react. Caressing Tinas pillow in the dark, Bette imagine the shape, the tact of Tinas growing belly. Imagining the smile on Tinas face as she was caressing it, Bette fell asleep. Remembering the times, while trying not to be catch, she stared at Tina, who unaware of being watched, was nonchalantly caressing her belly, Bette found the peace to fall asleep, to dream about Tina, the baby, their future.

***
Leaving the cell at her side Tina turned to look at the street lights. The hot breeze was caressing her arms while she was caressing her belly. She was surprised by the conversation, confused too. For the first time in a long time she felt it. She didnt know, wasnt sure what it was, but for a brief moment she could feel Bettes presence. It was as if Bette was with her, at her side, lying in bed with her, staring at the ceiling at her side.
For a brief moment Tina didnt feel alone. But then, out of nowhere the bubble broke. Her heart ached and she felt cold. Maybe it was Bettes sweet tone, her long silences, her shy words what turned Tinas alarms on. It felt good, it felt homey, it felt safe.For a second, just listening to Bette sighing, Tina felt the need to touch Bette, to hold her hand. She didnt know it then, not while talking with her but thinking about it now, as the car lights were drawing silly shadows on her wall, she realized that it was still there.

Something was still there. She wasnt sure if it was love, if it was a memory, if it was need or if it was just Bette. The latest was what scared her the most. Because for a second, for a brief moment she had a glimpse of what it could be, of who Bette was, of the real Bette, the promised of what it could be…If only.
Thinking about Bette. Imagining her asleep in their bed, for the first time in months, Tina didnt see anything else, didnt see any strange unwanted bed companions, didnt see haunted memories recreating an imagined past.

All Tina saw in her dreams was a peacefully sleeping Bette.