“Hello, Tina! You have no idea how glad I am to hear you.”
You have no idea how glad I would be to ditch you.
“Hi, Ian,” Tina said with her friendliest voice. “I was just wondering, what should I wear tomorrow night? I’ve never been to a gallery opening before, you see.”
“Never? Like, not once in your life?”
“No, I’m afraid not.”
“Well, uhm… Jeez, Tina, you’re not kidding?”
Why does he make me feel like I’m from another planet? Like I’m the only one who’s never been to a gallery opening before.

“Well, I just… I don’t know what you have in your closet. Maybe I could come over?”
“Like, now?”
“No, next week. Of course now!”
“I don’t know… I’m at work, you see, I’ll be home around 6.”
“Great, I’ll be there 6.30.”
“But, Ian -”
“I’ll be there! See you.” Ian hung up, leaving Tina dumbstruck.

_ _

“Bette, finally, where have you been?” Cassie said annoyed when Bette entered the house.
“The opening is tomorrow, Cas, you know how busy things are last moment. Or at least, you should know, since you’re an artist.”
“I guess I’ll believe you then.”
Bette knew better than to go into discussion with this woman, she didn’t feel like it at all.

She felt a little disappointed because one Mrs. Tina Kennard hadn’t called her yet. She had really hoped for it, and now she was angry with herself for that.

She was with a guy. He seemed nice and I guess you could easily fall for him when you’re into men.

She felt very much like calling her, but it was too late for that now. She couldn’t call her with Cassie in the house, and at her work she didn’t have time for it.
And besides, it was clear Tina didn’t want to have any contact with Bette. She would have caller her. Right? Right.

The house phone rang and Cassie jumped towards it. It was a habit of hers to pick up the phone, in case it were one of Bettes many imaginary lovers. As if she didn’t have her hands full with Cas.

Cas frowned her eyebrows and then motioned Bette to come over.
“It’s Alice,” she said. She looked a bit suspicious.
“Jeez, Cas, it’s Alice!” Bette said irritated before speaking into the phone.

“Hi, Al, how are you?”
“I’m great. Dana and I are great. How about you?”
“I’m wonderful,” Bette said, looking at Cas out of the corner of her eye. She wanted to tell Al desperately about the amazing woman she had met, but she couldn’t do it in front of her girlfriend.

The two friends talked about all kinds of stuff, but Bette really had to watch her words. When Al had hung up because dinner was ready, Cas didn’t seem too happy.

Oh, God, what is it now?

“So, you’ve made some time for your friend. I guess it’s my turn now, or do you want to call someone else first? Go ahead, put me last, I don’t mind. I’m there, you know, like always. For you. Don’t mind me.”

“Cas, you need to stop this.”
“Stop what? Since when is it me who’s done something wrong?”
“You’re way too jealous. You know I love you.”
“Me, and who else?”
“That’s what I mean. If I’m in a relationship, I want to be able to trust my partner -”
“Look who’s talking! It’s me who’s supposed to say that!”
“You didn’t let me finish! And I also want my partner to trust me.”

Bette took the heaviest decision in just a few seconds. A few seconds where Tina was in her mind, with her amazing smile and her fascinating smile.

“Cas, I think it’s better if we stop seeing each other for a while.”
“Well, it’s not that I see you that much lately anyway, right?”
“No, I mean, like a pause in our relationship.”
“What! I can’t believe this, seriously! Get out!”
“This is my house.”
“I need you to leave my eye sight right now!”

Bette sighed and tried to reason Cas, but it didn’t work, as she had expected. The thought of Tina kept her calm.