Previously

 “Would the word you are looking for be Gay? A gay bar?”

“Yes, I guess that is  the word I was looking for. If that makes you uncomfortable, we can go somewhere else.” Bette was now sure that she had upset the young woman.

“No, that’s fine. I’m fine with that.” Jennifer did not want to tip her hand too early.

“Great, I needed to talk to my sister anyway so, that will work out well.”

Chapter 6

Bette and Jennifer walked the two blocks to the Planet and grabbed a table near the door. They were deep in conversation and didn’t notice Alice, Shane and Tina at another table.

Alice excused herself and quickly arrived at Bette’s table. “Hey Bette, you shoulda’ let someone know you were coming, we would have made room for you at our table.”

“Bette looked up with surprise at her friend and then felt the eyes of Tina and Shane on her. She looked in their direction and waved. “Alice this is Jennifer, she was an art student when I gave some lectures in New York. She stumbled across the gallery while here in LA.”

“Oh hey, so what are you doing in LA? Alice starts to flirt with her.

“I am hoping to relocate here actually.” Jennifer responds.

Bette stands, “Ladies excuse me, I need to talk to Tina.”

Turning to Jennifer, “Tina is my partner.” You could see Jennifer wilt at the news. Bette walked to Tina and softly kissed her cheek. “She was a student in New York. She just happened into the gallery and we were so involved in talking, I got hungry. I needed something to eat and rather than eat alone, I asked her to join me. It is nothing Tina. I want you to know that.”

“You do not owe me an explanation Bette. We are trying to be friends, remember?”

“I will wait, for as long as it takes, for you to come back to me Tina. If it takes forever. I will wait that long!” Bette was taken aback that she had actually said the words. It came out of her mouth without  a thought. It must be the way she really feels. It is the way she feels. She just needs to convince Tina now.

“Tina stared at her as if she was not really sure of what Bette had just said. “Bette, you said that you would not push.”

“I’m not pushing. I’m talking. I am going to keep talking until you hear me!” She kissed her on the cheek again and returned to her table where Alice and Jennifer were deep in a discussion about clothes.

Bette smiling, “You guys should exchange numbers, get to know each other.” Looking at Jennifer. “If you relocate to LA you can call Alice to help you get settled.” Bette smiles at Alice.