Chapter Twenty-Three

BP narration

I was ready to go. I gave Tina a kiss and hugged her tight.

“Thanks, honey.”

“Bette, just don’t drink, okay? Certainly don’t drink and drive like last time. I don’t want those Powers of Attorney to be needed.”

A silence fell, I still felt guilty, I knew she was right. I kissed her again.

“I promise you that 1. what happened the other night will never happen again and 2. I won’t be drinking one drop of alcohol.”

She threw me her Kennard smile and I thought I’d melt on the spot. It was so amazing, the effect she still had on me.

“Don’t stay up for me. It can get late, we have a lot catching up to do.”

“Yeah, I know. I won’t be alone tonight, I invited Al over. It’s about time we hang out more as well. You were right the other day when you said we also needed to see our friend.”

“Please make sure the house still stands when I get back.”

“I’ll try.”

“So, I really gotta get going now. Have fun with Al!”

“Thanks, have fun yourself.”

–

TK narration

The phone rang just as Bette had left.

“Tina Kennard.”

“I miss you already,” Bette’s voice sounded. I couldn’t help but laugh. She was just such a sweetie.

“You’re a big old softie, Porter.”

“I’m aware, Kennard. So, you’ll be a good girl tonight?”

“Only if you are.”

“Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Come on, Bette! I’m your girlfriend, not your daughter.”

“Sorry, sorry, I’m just worried.”

“I know.”

“Gotta hang up now. I’ll call you later tonight if that’s okay?”

“Sure.”

I ended the phone call and sighed. I was really lucky to be with Bette, I still wondered how I had survived without her. What also made her special, was the fact that she had forgiven me.

She was a beautiful woman, loyal and romantic. She was passionate and graceful, and she could give you the feeling that you were all that mattered on the world. She could get any woman she wanted, gay or straight. And still she wanted to be with me, even after what I had done to her. She was something else.