I thought that feeling was invented for effect in movies and books but I didn't think it was real. Not until she kissed me.
Alice: So what happened next?
Bette: Um, she invited me in and I eagerly followed. I wasn't even thinking about Drew. It's like he didn't even exist. I know that sounds awful but it was true. Anyway, I followed her in and the next thing I knew we were on her couch.
Alice: Porter don't you dare leave out a single detail.
Bette smiled at her quirky friend.
Bette: I sat on the couch and she took her place next to me. She told me I was beautiful. She also told me that she had been watching me in that museum for months. I had no idea. All I knew at that moment was that I needed to kiss her again.
Alice: So you did?
Bette: SO I did.
Alice: And...
Bette: And we made love. All night.
Alice: Details!
Bette: Al, you are the only one I've ever told this too! Baby steps.
Alice: Ok, ok.
Bette: Anyway I woke up in her arms, in her bed the next morning. It was the first time that I slept with someone and didn't want to get up and run away. I wanted to stay just like that with her for the rest of my life.
Alice: What happened?
Bette: She got up to make coffee and I threw on my clothes. I went into the living room and looked around. I wanted to know everything about her! So I glanced at her art books and the novels she had strewn on the coffee table. We had a lot in common.
Alice giggled.
Alice: More than you knew!
Bette: Indeed. So I made my way over to the fireplace and took a look on the mantle. She had pictures from side to side. I looked at them all closely, but one caught my eye. It was a family photo with Drew smiling in the background. I almost screamed.
Alice: Where was Monica?
Bette: Still in the kitchen. She heard me gasp though and ran out. She followed my gaze and saw what I was starring at.
____________________________________________________________________________________ Monica: That's my big brother, Drew.
Bette: Brother?
Monica: Uh huh.
Bette: I hafta go.
Bette grabbed her jacket from the arm of the couch and threw it over her arms.
Monica: Bette! Wait!
Bette: No Monica, I hafta go. You have no idea.
Bette reached for the door knob but Monica pulled her back in.
Monica: You were so beautiful...
Bette's eyes squinted in confusion.
Bette: What?
Monica: I had dinner with Drew a few months ago and he showed me a picture of you. I told him you were really beautiful.
Bette: You knew?
Monica: I recognized you from the gallery. I had been coming to that gallery for months just to look at you. And to know that you were with my brother killed me. I stopped going for about a month.
Bette backed up slowly and sat down on the couch.
Monica: Bette, please don't be upset with me. You and I know both know that what we could have is more than what you and Drew could ever dream of.
Bette said nothing, although she knew the blonde was right.
Monica: Give me a chance.
Bette: And what about Drew?
Monica: He doesn't have to know.
Bette: How could he not? You're his sister, I'm his girlfriend.
Monica: Just spend some more time with me and then decide what you want to do Bette, but give me a chance. You have no idea the kind of love I could offer you.
Bette already knew Monica was right. But guilt kept Drew on her mind.
Monica: Please Bette...
Bette dropped her head down. Monica took Bette's face in her soft hands and kissed the brunettes forehead.
Monica: Say yes. Give me a chance . If I don't make you happier than Drew does I'll back off.
__________________________________________________________________________ Alice: So you did?
Bette: I did. It continued for a few months. We had a great time together. I was so In love with her but I didn't' want to hurt Drew. He had been so good to me.
Alice: So you even continued to see both of them after you met the rest of the family?
Bette: Again Al, not proud of it!
Alice: This is the best story I have ever heard.
Bette: I'm glad you're enjoying.
Alice: Oh I am!
Bette: So about 6 month after I met the family I was offered a position at the CAC. I didn't tell Drew but I did tell Monica. She told me I should take it but I didn't want to leave her.
