She told me I should take it but I didn't want to leave her.
Alice: But you did leave her.
Bette: Not exactly. I had planned to turn it down.
________________________________________________________________________ Bette: There is no way I can take it Monica. I need to stay with you.
Monica smiled.
Bette: What?
Monica: What if I go with you?
Bette: Are you serious?
Monica: Do I look serious?
Bette said nothing.
Monica: We won't tell anyone. We'll just go. Call them, say yes and we'll leave tomorrow. I need to be with you!
Bette: Please tell me this isn't a dream?
Monica: Book the flight. I'll be there!
Bette didn't hesitate. She grabbed the phone and called the CAC. After accepting the position she called the airline and booked to one way tickets to California.
Monica sat next to her the whole time holding tightly to her hand.
When Bette hung up Monica kissed Bette softly.
Monica: This is just the beginning for us. I hafta go pack. I'll meet you at the airport tomorrow morning.
Monica left and Bette couldn't wipe the smile off of her face. She packed quickly, the excitement building in her stomach. For a few minutes she contemplated calling Drew. At least to tell him she was leaving. But then she remember Monica asking her not to. So she didn't.
________________________________________________________________________ Alice: What happened?
Bette's expression turned morose.
Bette: I got the airport and waited. I waited so long that I missed the flight.
Alice: Did you call her?
Bette: She didn't answer.
Alice: Oh.
Bette: I called Drew next. When his voicemail picked up I left a message saying I was going and that I wasn't coming back. I told him that my life I had changed. Everything had changed. I told him that there was someone else but it was over now. And I thanked him for everything he had done. After coming to grips with the fact that Monica wasn't coming exchanged my ticket for a new flight and left within the hour.
Alice: And you never heard from either of them again?
Bette: Nope. That was it. Sometimes I wonder what happened. I wonder if maybe something terrible kept Monica away. I still don't know. But she was my first love. She was my coming out story.
Alice: I don't even know what to say.
Bette: What's left to say? The past is the past for a reason Al.
Alice: Listen, I'm really sorry I pressured you into this.
Bette: It's fine Al.
Alice: No seriously. I mean it's a great story but the whole world doesn't need to know it. I can do the article on someone else's story.
With that Al took the tape from the tiny recorder sitting between the two woman. Quietly she handed it over to Bette.
Alice: It's your story, you keep it.
Bette nodded thankfully.
Alice: Do you ever think about trying to find her?
Bette: Sometimes, but it's fleeting. I have a life here now.
Alice: I don't know how you do it Porter. After the way things ended curiosity would kill me.
Bette smiled as Alice stood to leave.
Alice: You're stronger then I am.
With that the blonde left the café. Bette sat back in her chair. She rifled through her purse until she found a post card. She pulled it out and looked at the front. It was a copy of a painting. " View from a Tower". At the bottom on the postcard was the artists name, Monica Haller. Bette allowed her finger to trace each line on the paper. Slowly she let one single tear streak her face.
05/16/2006 ,
14:10:02 PM From:
Christy Comments:
Great story! Good to see you posting again.
05/16/2006 ,
14:10:46 PM From:
justloveB+T Comments:
This is incredible! WOW!
05/16/2006 ,
14:19:44 PM From:
Lamentamini Comments:
DAMN that was good! But so sad. :(
05/16/2006 ,
14:24:10 PM From:
smiley Comments:
Oh, you could so keep going with this!
05/16/2006 ,
15:11:22 PM From:
annieb69 Comments:
you kill me, no matter what you write, you hook us all in!!!!!!!!
05/16/2006 ,
15:31:15 PM From:
flairsalex Comments:
I need to know if she tries to find her. Keep going. I know you have that scene in your head; Monica and Bette in a cafe, it's New York, it's raining...
05/16/2006 ,
17:26:33 PM From:
missyang Comments:
Great story! And don't forget to update your other story. We've been waiting for so long...
05/16/2006 ,
19:23:23 PM From:
honda90 Comments:
awesome!!! Ok, now post on the other saga that we know and love pls!!!!
05/16/2006 ,
19:53:57 PM From:
BetteAndTinaForever Comments:
that was awesome, i'm glad you showed up, i miss your story
05/16/2006 ,
20:48:57 PM From:
snQQpy Comments:
Incredible; simply incredible. I realize that this story is for the fantasy challenge; so once you’ve won, I hope you consider continuing it.
05/16/2006 ,
22:13:10 PM From:
fergz1 Comments:
I did a happy dance when I saw your name...that was great! Post anything soon..
05/17/2006 ,
03:42:20 AM From:
jomarad Comments:
This is so fucking good, I hope this is not the end, please go on with this story luv.
05/17/2006 ,
10:22:51 AM From:
bettyvhall Comments:
That was so very sad,I just wonder, If only. that was great thanks
05/17/2006 ,
13:57:48 PM From:
skyblue Comments:
Brilliant but kind of sad. Thanks for sharing
05/17/2006 ,
17:35:07 PM From:
pattifloatn Comments:
WOW! Why is life so damn complicated? You think that you found your true love and something or someone steps in and tears everything apart. Great story or post.
05/17/2006 ,
20:57:15 PM From:
Johanne Comments:
I am still a fan of your writing and your amazing story. I am glad your back and I hope you will continue. Please post again.
05/18/2006 ,
05:15:02 AM From:
techgal Comments:
Wow! You sure know how to pack a punch! Your stories always deliver! You have a distinctive style that is all yours - very literal, very literate and very entertaining. Thanks for taking time out to meet (and conquer) this challenge.
05/18/2006 ,
07:42:51 AM From:
artgirl Comments:
That was brilliant and what a great twist at the end.
05/19/2006 ,
21:56:59 PM From:
brigbeach6 Comments:
I like it...I would be interested in a follow up...
05/30/2006 ,
03:00:16 AM From:
moonshadow Comments:
i just clicked on you name from my list of fav. FF authors cause i wanted to see if you posted recently and this is what came up. I am glad i couldn't sleep tonight cause i may have missed this post. Ty and i hope you will continue this story as well as "no good deed..." i always love your stories
08/01/2006 ,
20:31:44 PM From:
ut Comments:
Damn this is amazing and love it!!!!!!!