TINA & BETTE

Tina…hi. Oh God, what a great surprise! Listen, I really need to apologize to you for…

Bette, wait. Tina interrupted. She didnt want her taking control of the conversation right off the bat. I know that we have lots to talk about, including your apologies, but I dont want to do it over the phone.

Bettes heart skipped a beat with excitement. ‘Oh God, shes going to let me see her, even after my pathetic performance in Vancouver!’ That excitement quickly faded when the image of seeing Elaine walking out of Tinas bedroom filled her head. OK Porter, calm down, take it slow.

OK Tina. Would you like to meet with me in person? I mean, I will come to you in Vancouver again, wherever you want…

Actually Bette, Im in LA.

Bette took a sharp intake of breath. ‘She came home? Did she come back to see me?’

Oh Tina, youre here? Oh baby, when can I see you?

There was silence for a moment. Bette, please dont call me that. It nearly broke Tinas heart to say that to Bette, but as much as she wanted to be called that by her, she just couldnt hear it right now. Candace and Bette may no longer be together, but neither were Tina and Bette.

Ahhh… Bette stammered. Im sorry Tina. I have no right, I know that. I just… Bette sighed. …never mind. Im sorry Tina.

The resignation in Bettes voice made Tina weak. She just wanted to go to her and be wrapped in Bettes arms. Look Bette, we just have too much to talk about before we can even think about going there.

Without even trying, she had just given Bette more hope with that one totally honest statement than she could have if she had thought it out in her head first.

You are right. We have so much to talk about. When would you like to get together?

Well, when can you leave work?

Anytime T. Anytime you want me to.

Good. How about we meet at the botanical gardens at 1:00?

The botanical gardens?

Yea, its beautiful and peaceful and there are some quiet corners where we can have the privacy we need to talk, but that are public enough that your screams for help will be heard if I start beating you up! Tina smiled into the phone, hoping her attempt at humor had the effect she intended. When she heard Bettes soft chuckle, she knew it had.

Perfect idea Tina. I will be there at 1:00. Would you like me to bring something to eat?

No thanks, but maybe some bottled water or juice.

You got it T. Ill see you there.

OK, bye.

Oh Tina?

Yea?

Thanks for meeting with me today. Now that I know that you are in town, I dont think I could have handled waiting until tomorrow.

Sure Bette. See you at 1:00. Tina hung up the phone and stared out the window.

Told you She was startled by Alices voice.

Uh?

I told you your backbone would show itself when you heard her voice. You did great Tina. How do you feel?

Tina smiled. Good. Stronger than I thought I would. I think it helped that I could hear it in her voice when Bette was talking.

Hear what T?

Love. Every word she spoke was filled with love, and we are going to need every ounce of love we have in order to make it through today.

Bette had rushed home to change into an outfit more conducive to sitting in the sun. She was so excited to see Tina. At that moment, she didnt care who the woman was in Tinas apartment the other morning, because when she was talking with Tina, shed heard it. Even when Tina asked her to not call her baby, she still heard it…love, in Tinas voice.

Bette smiled to herself. Leave it up to Tina to find the perfect place to meet, a place that represented so many things, including being a reminder that in order to obtain such incredible beauty you have to work at it. The walkways and garden beds were taken care of with such patient and loving hands, just like our relationships must be taken care of on a daily basis with a patient and loving heart. Just as those paths were created by people, our own personal paths are created by us and maintained by us, well even if we do need a little help every now and again by, say…maybe a dream, or something like it. Bette smiled.

At exactly 1:00, Bette and Tina both walked up to the entrance to the gardens. Bette had been looking down at the sidewalk as she walked and didnt see Tina until they were almost in front of each other. She looked up and gasped. She could feel the bag of drinks slipping out of her hands, but was unable to move to catch it. Tina reached out and grabbed the bag before it hit the ground. Ho, hey…I got it. Bette?

Bette just continued to stare at Tina. She looked absolutely radiant. Her hair was longer than it had been and her natural blonde coloring was sparkling under the sun. Tina was wearing a comfortable pair of cotton shorts, with a sleeveless v-neck shirt, that ended about two inches above the top of her shorts. She had on a pair of the newest and cutest flip-flops from Teva, and her toes were painted the perfect Mauve. She had finished with a beautiful, but casual necklace with matching earrings that had been hand made by one of the many Indian tribes that lived in the Northwest. Bette had always loved the little details that made up the whole. Knowing this, Tina had chosen this simple outfit, and guessed by Bettes reaction, that she got the impact she wanted. Tina smiled and very softly said again, Bette?

Bette finally released the breath that she had been holding. Tina, youuu lookkk beautiful. She was stammering, so she told a deep breath. I cant thank you enough for meeting me.

Tina smiled at Bette, then leaned forward and placed a light kiss on Bettes cheek. You look gorgeous as always Bette.

Tina then turned and started walking to the entrance of the park. After about 10 steps, she stopped and turned around. Are you coming?

Bette tried to move her feet, but was rooted to the spot. She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the kiss over and over again. If she could have melted into a puddle on the sidewalk, she would have. Tina was watching her, not only feeling wonderful that Bette was so moved by her gesture, but thankful as well, because Tina was having a hard time walking herself. When she had leaned forward to kiss Bette, her knees had almost buckled and she thought if Bette was any closer, she would be able to hear and see Tinas heart pounding through her shirt.

The good news was Tina was feeling emotionally stronger than she thought she would be. Alice had been right. She was in a different place now than she had been the last night she saw Bette. ‘OK, we are not even going there right now,’ Tina thought.
Bette had finally gathered herself and had managed to turn and start walking toward Tina.

Come on, Tina urged. I know a spot that I think you will like.