“Tee, I need to say something.”

Tina faced Bette, her face a study in concern and interest.  “Yes.”  Tina was certain that another Candace apology was forthcoming.

“Tina, I should never have indulged my father’s bigotry.  He was rude to us, especially to you.  He’s my father and I’ve grown used to the way he is, but I never, ever should have catered to that behavior.  You deserve better than that.”

“Wow, Bette.  I know how you feel about Melvin.  I’ve got to admit, I’m a bit taken aback by this.”

“It’s a shame that you are.  This is how I should have dealt with him all along.  You are far too important to me and I do respect you too much to have let you suffer my father’s veiled and not so hidden insults.  I regret it.  And to think that I permitted that while you were overstressed and tired from the pregnancy.  You must have been very angry.”

“I was,” Tina said, but waved a dismissive hand as if to lessen her feelings.  “But he’s your Dad.  We behave differently with our parents.  It’s natural.”

Bette moved her hand from Tina’s thigh to her arm and stared directly into her eyes.  “It is intolerable that your lover would pander to backward thinking and cruel comments launched at you and then insist that you rationalize it as natural.  I promise you that my father will not speak to or about you in that manner again.  Not in my presence he won’t.”  This truth couldn’t have been clearer.  Tina felt Bette reach out with this vow to her soul and did what seemed natural at that moment—she took Bette’s hand, raised it to her lips and kissed it, holding the connection there for a few moments.

Bette smiled a smile of devotion, but she broke away and said, “We’re going to be late,” as she leapt from her side and ran to the sidewalk. 

* * * * *

As Bette and Tina progressed through their yoga class, fluidly shifting from posture to posture, they continued to make eye contact.  Whenever Tina looked up, Bette would be staring at her and then suddenly lower her gaze.  Bette noticed the same thing with Tina.  Bette slid from “dog” posture to “cat” posture and when her head rose, Tina’s eyes held Bette’s.  There wasn’t sexual tension between them, but there was an undeniable connection that was intimate and energizing.