Chapter 3

 

Bette mind was in chaos as she strives throughout the lobby. By the time she reaches the rotating door her mind has successful forced all her personal doubts and questions from her mind.  She had her game face on and she was ready for the battles of the day. Hitting the door she pushes a little harder then normal to swing it around.  

 

Stepping onto the sidewalk she is hit by the heat of the autumn day then she is hit by Tina’s presence.  Tina. She is right here in front of her.  Bette is barely able to take in Tina when she realizes she has missed half of what Tina is saying.

 

"Woo woo woo woo" Bette says while putting both hands up to get through to Tina.  "Tina, please start again.  I didn’t catch any of what you said."  Bette pleads feeling like she is behind before she even started.

 

"Bette I was saying look at you.  You look like you are heading off to slay dragons." Tina says looking up at Bette

 

Bette grabs Tina by her shoulders and heads off to the side where they are both out of the traffic flow of the sidewalk.   "Tina you look terrific.  Where were you last night?" Bette asks trying to take advantage of having Tina in front of here.

 

Tina’s shoulders slump, Bette knows Tina well enough to know she is worked up about something. She needs to figure out where her head is at after a moment Tina finally looks back up at Bette. "I was at home watching the clock until 7 when we were supposed to meet. Then after 7, I spent the time telling myself all over and over again all the reasons why I was doing the right thing by not seeing you. I drove myself nuts.  Bette do you know you can drive me nuts even when you are not even in the room."  Tina wails out to Bette.  

 

Letting go of Tina Bette can only think of one thing.  "Then why are you here now Tina?"  

 

"I’m here because I realized that I needed to see you to tell you to your face.  If i ever want to have some semblance of sanity I need to do this right.  so here we go … Bette I’m leaving.  I’m moving on. Angie and I are moving away and I won’t be here for you use and abuse whenever you breeze into town."

 

"Tina what are you saying?  You make it sound like I used you. Tina I never used you.  I wanted to see you to talk to you. See you. Be with you not anything else. Not for any other reason."  Bette states emphatically.

 

"We’ll at least you are honest about there not being  any other reason.  Why would you have a reason for reaching out to me?" Tina says sarcastically

 

"Oh Tina please stop twisting my words."

 

"Yes Bette I will. I plan on stopping that is why I’m here.   I stop." Tina exclaims. 

After her claims Tina realize that maybe she’s taken it too far.  Reeling it in a bit she takes a deep breath to calm herself.  "Look at you Bette.   You look great, ready to take on the world.  You don’t need me.  You are all self-contained and if there is something you don’t have, something you need, you have James to get it for you. ". Tina says while beginning to pat Bette on her upper arm.   "It’s going to be OK Bette.   Good luck with whatever you are here for.   Have a great meeting."  With that Tina turned away and Bette watches her stride away down the walk away.