”“I shouldn’t Eric. My place is closer to the studio and I don’t want to be late.”
“If you’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
As Tina and Eric got up from the table Bette approached them. There was a look on her face that Tina was sure was disappointment. Tina wanted to stay here, talk some more with Bette but knew that it wasn’t right. Not while Eric was here. She comforted herself with the idea that she now knew where Bette Porter worked and as it was a public gallery she was free to come back any time that she wanted. They said their goodbyes that indeed ended with an invitation to visit soon. Tina thought to herself that it was going to be sooner than Bette ever could anticipate.
They were mostly silent on the way back to Eric’s apartment. Eric thinking about the purchases that he had made, Tina thinking about Bette and the affect that she had on her. Tina reached up to touch the lobe of her ear. The earring was missing and she wondered how long it would take Bette to notice that it was still at the gallery. When they got out of the car Tina made to walk straight to hers for the drive home but Eric caught her arm before she could get close.
“You’re leaving so soon?” he pouted.
“Like I said, I’ve a busy day tomorrow.”
“Not even a goodnight kiss?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. I’m just tired that’s all.”
Eric pulled Tina close to kiss her. Tina suddenly remember how good it was to be in his arms, the strong arms that held her when she was down, or upset, or under pressure at work. Thoughts of Bette momentarily forgotten. When Eric released her Tina gave him a warm smile and a promise to call him tomorrow. Tonight Eric would have to be satisfied with that while Tina sorted out where her head was at, and more importantly her heart.
The drive home was quick on the empty, late night roads of LA. Tina loved driving at night. It beat the gridlock of the daytime traffic and with the radio turned up loud she sang along to the songs that she knew. For that period of time she put everything to one side and just concentrated on the open road.
Soon she was at the front door of her apartment. She could hear the answer machine beeping through the door and hoped that it was the person who’s voice she wanted to hear. As she entered the apartment she decided to leave the answer phone for the comfort of getting out of her dress and into some old jeans. Even though she had told Eric she was tired her mind was racing far too much for her to be able to sleep. Maybe she would put on an old movie and that would lull her into a sense of slumber.
She walked to the answer phone and hesitated before she pressed play. Her heart gave a tiny jump as she heard the voice coming through the speaker. It was Bette telling her how she had found an earring. The earring that she had already rescued once that evening and that if Tina would like to come and collect it now she would still be at the gallery for another hour, if not then maybe she would see her tomorrow. Tina’s heart overwhelmed her mind as she picked up her bag and headed back to the car. There was nothing that was going to keep her from being alone with Bette Porter.
On the drive back to the gallery Tina started to think about the consequences of her actions. She was still in a relationship with Eric and yet she had purposely left something behind so that Bette would call her, plus the small fact that Bette was a woman. Was she really ready for that? Did she really know what she wanted? There was only one way to find out.
As Tina pulled up in front of the gallery she took a deep breath in. Most of the lights had been turned off but she could still discern movement from within the building. Tina moved closer to the front door just as Bette appeared from the distance. Again there was that small intake of breath and the speeding up of her heart rate. She had never felt like that in anyone presence before. It was too much to take in.
“I’m glad you came back.” said Bette as she opened the door.
“So am I.” replied Tina, stating the truth.
Tina watched as Bette motioned that she should follow her back to her office. Tina studied the way that Bette’s hips moved as she walked. How there was something graceful, almost sensual about the way that she moved. Then Tina’s eyes were attracted to something else. The way that Bette’s clothes fitted her. The way that they revealed her curves and as Tina’s eyes moved down she caught herself staring at Bette’s ass. She silently laughed at herself. Never did she imagine that she would ever find herself staring at another woman’s ass and here she was blatantly doing it, not even trying to hide it.
Tina kept looking as Bette rounded her desk to retrieve an envelope from her desk draw. She noticed Bette’s long fingers as she deftly opened the envelope. She now had Tina’s earring in the palm of her hand.
“I could have sworn I saw you put this back on.” smiled Bette.
Before Tina could answer she felt Bette hold onto her hand and move dangerously close to her. So close she could smell Bette’s perfume. Then she felt her. Bette’s lips were on hers, so soft and yet a hint of insistence that made Tina go slightly weak at the knees. When Bette pulled back she smiled at Tina, noticing the blush that had graced Tina’s face. Tina took the earring in her hand but couldn’t think of anything to say. Maybe it was right that she didn’t say anything, nothing seemed good enough to articulate the conundrum of emotions that she was feeling.
“Thank you for finding my earring.” said Tina, finally finding her voice.
“Thank you for coming here so soon.”
“I should go, it’s getting late. Maybe we’ll talk tomorrow?”
“I would like that very much.” said Bette hoping that she hadn’t scared Tina away.
As Tina walked back to her car she knew that she had just gone through something that was going to change her life forever. Now all she had to do was figure out how all the pieces were going to fit together.
