Bette brought Angelica back, and Tina never pressed charges but the custody battle that ensued between her mothers had been brutal. It took months of separation, arguing, and arbitration before they both came to their senses and considered what was best for Angelica. Once they put aside their own selfish need to punish one another they were able to reach a civilized joint-custody arrangement.

Bette was allowed to adopt Angelica and they’d settled into separate lives where their daughter came first. The shared responsibility of co-parenting in a harmonious environment led to rekindled friendship and eventual forgiveness.

***

Tina pulled out of the embrace when she sensed a change in Bette’s demeanor; her body responding intuitively to the force and energy drawing her in. As they moved further apart Bette stared into Tina’s face with a penetrating glare that Tina found somewhat discomforting. She covered the awkwardness with her signature enigmatic smile and looked away before her hazel green eyes could betray her.

“Are you OK?” she asked

“I will be.” Bette answered. “Thank you Tee” she said using the familiar term of endearment.

Bette sat quietly and appeared to be deep in thought as she gazed into the swimming pool. Tina watched her profile intently but would turn her head away intermittently so as not to be caught staring. Bette did the same thing when Tina looked away. They did that for a while; one would look towards the other just as the other would turn away.

When Bette grew tired of the game she held steady until Tina turned her way, finally catching her eye. She hesitated for a moment, and then mustered the courage to ask the question that had been plaguing her.

***

“What do I do wrong Tee? What do I do wrong?”

“You don’t do anything wrong.” Tina answered in a placating manner, more out of habit than conviction since she wasn’t even sure what Bette was referring to.

“No really. I mean it. Why is it so fucking hard to be in a relationship with me?”

Tina hesitates to answer such a loaded question but Bette is persistent. She needs Tina’s honesty about what went wrong in their relationship. “Look… just tell me. Tell me everything I did to make you run from me. I’m begging you please.”