A Walk on the Wild Side - Chapter 21

Last time..

Bette's blood ran cold, as she closed her eyes tightly shut awaiting the inevitable sickening crash she will feel, as the prehistoric looking creature's solid 20 inch long horn slices through the flimsy metal around them like a can opener.

"Teeeeeeee" She screamed in terror

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Bette's desperate scream pierced through the air, startling the charging Rhino. She can hear, even if she can't see well. This thing, she realizes, is a hideous impostor. In utter disgust, she turns away and ambles toward the bush.

Tina slowly released her hands from the steering wheel, watching the patches of sweat slowly evaporate in the heat, and putting the gears back into neutral, turned towards the terrified brunette. "Bette" she whispered touching her arm gently. "Well, it's not exactly what I had in mind, but you seem to have scared our friend away!" Tina let out a nervous laugh. "Baby you can open your eyes now!" She prompted.

Bette slowly opened her eyes, squinting against the sun. She turned to face Tina, a look of fear still shadowing her graceful fingers. "what happened T?" She enquired in confusion. "I thought for a minute there that neither of us would make it back to LA!" she said, failing miserably to make light of their deadly situation.

"She ran off!" Tina replied. The chances were that she would veer off before she hit us anyway, Tina explained "It's unusual for a Rhino to actually ram her mate, but I had the car ready to reverse out of her way just in case. Luckily for both of us, we didn't need to find out. Your scream startled her and she ran off!"

"But you knew what you were doing..right?" Asked Bette not entirely convinced.

"Bette, I know how scary that must have been for you, but I DO know what I'm doing. We were never in any real danger."

Bette arched her eyebrow, non to convinced by the confidence in Tina's voice. She thought once again about her impending departure, and wondered how she would cope knowing that Tina was out here on her own. "T? You will be careful while I am gone won't you" she asked tears filling her eyes and threatening to spill over her lashes.

"Baby, I promise you that I will be careful. I have a permanent reminder of what happens when you are not careful..remember?" Tina grabbed Bette's hand, which was still hooked onto the dashboard in a vice like grip.

"Promise me you wont come out here on your own once I'm gone" Bette pleaded desperately. "Promise me you will stay at the studio"

Tina sighed wondering if it wouldn't be easier to lie. At least that way Bette could leave without worrying She thought. No, I can't begin our lives with a lie. She isn't stupid, she will know that I cannot resist coming back out here one last time. "Baby that's a promise you know I can't keep" Tina explained patiently. "But I promise you that I wont go anywhere without Vual by my side."

Bette looked down at her lap, the cold fingers of fear gripping her heart tightly. "I couldn't face it if I lost you now" she sobbed. "I just want you to collect up your work, get it shipped over, and join me as soon as you can."

"I will baby, as soon as everything's ready, I'll be on the first plane to LA. Tina looked into Bette's eyes hoping she would see the truth in her eyes. "I promise."

The drive back to the National Park Rangers compound was spent on the whole in silence, both women deep in their own thoughts and fears about their soon to be enforced separation for a month.

Bette hardly noticed the spectacular scenery they passed, her mind on how she was going to cope on her own. I wonder what Franklin would say if I contacted him and told him I needed another month to secure the exhibit she wondered idly. But that would mean I would miss the opening of the Summer show.

I've never missed an opening in my life she thought. Even that time she had been struck down with pnumonia She had dragged herself out of her sickbed, and had single handedly ensured the opening had been the spectacular success it was. She felt the familiar buzz of excitement as she thought back to that night. She was the talk of the art world, In one single night her standing in the community had risen ten fold. No, she thought gently shaking her head, I've worked too hard to let someone take the credit for my work.

As night fell the two exhausted women reached the metal gates of the compound, and entered Tina's studio, knowing that this will be the last night they spend, wrapped in each others arms, for the foreseeable future.

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Bette picked up her rucksack, hoisting it up onto her right shoulder. She looked around once more to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything, her eyes resting on the rumpled sheets that laid testament to their frantic lovemaking last night. She moved over toward the bed, her hand stroking the sheets absentmindedly as she pictured Tina laying their just a few hours ago. Her hand came to rest on the pillow, still showing the indentation where Tina's head had laid last night. She picked up the pillow and bought it to her nose, smelling Tina's sweet scent. Will I forget what you smell like? She wondered as her mood sunk into melancholy. Will I be able to remember your face in my dreams?

Bette sat down heavily on the bed, suddenly feeling a weariness she had never felt before. She put her right hand into the pillow case, and gripping the end of the pillow tightly removed it from its soft cotton cover. Bette carefully folded the pillowcase, smoothing out the creases, and put it into the side pocket of her safari slacks.

Tina entered the studio as Bette stood up from the bed, her heart breaking to see the weary stance of her love. She walked over to Bette and rested her hands on her hips, allowing her head to rest on her shoulder. Bette's arms wrapped around Tina tightly holding on for all she was worth. They stood like this for what seemed like forever, before slowly and hesitantly moving apart to stare intently into each others eyes, both of them making no attempt to hide the pain they were both feeling.

Tina raised her hand to caress the brunettes hair softly. "I'll miss you baby" She said tearfully. "I..I'm not sure I can say goodbye to you baby, it will hurt too much."

"I know" Bette replied. "Lets try to enjoy our last few hours together, and worry about that when my flight is being called."

Tina looked at Bette, despair taking the sparkle out of her sherry coloured eyes. She looked down, ashamed that she hadn't had the nerve to tell Bette last night. "Baby" She started "I.I wont be takingI" She took a deep breath before trying again. "Vual's here. He will be taking you to the airport."

"WHAT?" Bette screamed angrily, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks. "Tina, I won't see you for a month, and you are telling me that you are sending me off to the airport with the hired help! How could you?"

Tina backed away from the obviously furious love of her life, shocked at the severity of her reaction. Oh she knew that Bette would not be pleased, but had not expected such a harsh response. Tina's head raised defiantly. "Firstly I wanted our memories of our parting to be about our lovemaking last night, not a sad lonely goodbye in an airport full of nosey bystanders. Secondly, Vual is not my hired help Bette, he is a trusted friend who saved my life onceremember!" Tina turned away, her back to Bette. "He's waiting outside for you.Maybe you should just go."