It was after Willie and Bette shook hands and Willie had rendered the assembly hall that Bette hung back. Thinking of Willie’s words, He was right she didn’t really like let alone love the responsibilities that came with this position.  It was just as she and Tina had discussed over a year ago when she first brought up the notion of going often this job.  Then Bette stopped Tina.  She wasn’t far from Bette’s thought anymore.  

Seven years ago

Bette remembers their fist dinner together as if it were yesterday.  She could sense Tina was nervous. For some reason Bette tried to set Tina at ease and for her efforts they actually enjoyed a sincere conversation.   

“So tell me more about you.” Bette starts.  “All I know is that I operated on your nephew today.  I’m sure just by looking at you there is so much more to you.  Tell me something.” Bette asks with a polite smile.  They have just sat down at a high end steak house chain.  Bette picked this restaurant because it was close to her hotel but also she knew that if she tipped the maitre d’ she could get a table that was quieter. 

“What would you like to know?” Tina asks coyly.

Bette shrugs, “I don’t know surprise me.” She says playfully.

“OK” Tina says but there is a twinkle in her eye that Bette thinks lights up her face.  “Let me think what would surprise you.  I know I baked over 50 lemon pies as part of the bake sale we held to help my brother and sister-in-law to cover the John’s expenses.  From this day forward any time I make a lemon pie I will think of John.”  There is pride in Tina’s expression as she says all this.

“Wow” was all Bette could say to this.  She always tried to separate herself from this aspect of what she did.  All the children she operated on where always very sick.  Knowing the medical system the way she did, if the patient didn’t have good medical coverage it usually wasn’t her who performed their needed surgeries.  She did at times do pro bono work but it seems over the last couple of years these cases have gone down.  All these thoughts must have been expressed in Bette’s expression for Tina suddenly realized who she was talking to.  “Oh God I’m sorry you don’t want to hear about my families financial woes.  I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“No, no Tina.  You are fine, great even.  I bet those pies were fabulous.  I just wish I could have been around then to buy one of them.  I can’t remember the last time I had a good lemon pie.  Did they have meringue or whip cream for the top?” Bette asks trying to get the conversation back on the right track.

“Meringue of course that’s the classic way of doing it.  Do you like lemon pie?”

“Yes of course I do.  So from that I am guessing you like to bake?” Bette asks venturing to learn more about this woman.

“Bake, cook, wash dishes.  If it’s in the kitchen I love to do it.  Well maybe not the washing the dishes but yes I love to cook.  It’s something that relaxes me and puts me in a good mood.  Tell me what puts you in a good mood?”

To this Bette got cheesy, “I have dinner with beautiful woman.” 

From there their conversation flows back and forth easily as they moved through their dinner.  When they got to the point where they were lingering over their after dinner drink, Bette finally brought her napkin up and set it on the table.  Looking Tina in the eye Bette reaches across and grabs one of Tina’s hands.  “Tina I don’t think I can remember a better evening.  You are amazing.”

Tina giggles, “Bette you are the amazing one.  I don’t think I’ve ever met any one quite like you.”

Bette remembers asking herself the next day just exactly when she realized she wanted to see a lot more of this woman.  Was it the tire kicking, or maybe the way she kept her quiet confidence as they talked but when ever it was it all added up for Bette when she looked back at Tina.  She wanted more from this woman then any other woman she has ever met.