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Till We Meet Again | A Bette-Tina Beginning Chapter 7

Two days later…
Fifth Avenue, New York

Tina was on Fifth Avenue, window shopping after a grueling last day at school. She was yet to buy a Christmas gift for Eric, but more than that, she knew she had to make up for falling asleep on him several nights ago.

Tina frowned as she paused at the window of Gucci. It was not that Eric was not attractive or attentive. He was tall, muscular, with an attractive set of features, and a suave style that often had women swooning over him. But more than that, he had a kind, loving and warm heart. She loved him—she really did.

“Wow, you must really not like Gucci if you are standing out here in the cold and looking that angry over it.”

Unbeknownst to Tina, Bette had crept up behind her while she was deep in thought over Eric.

Tina spun around as fast as her heels would allow her. “You!”

Bette pretended to be confused. “You? Yes, me…who else? Isn’t that a strange statement? I mean I would be me, wouldn’t I so what is the point of saying You?” she finished with another triumphant grin that made Tina cringe.

“What are you doing here?” Tina crossed her arms in front of her, immediately defensive, but also implying that she was not open to Bette, not open to be read or understood by her.

Bette spun around slowly regarding her environment. She held out her hand, “pan-handling!”

“Uff, you know what, forget it. But now that you are here I wanted to clear up a few things.”

“Yes me too. That day in the hospital, I was drugged and a bit ‘out of it.’ So if you thought I was flirting with you, no, I was just out of my senses. Sorry, but I am involved with someone else and you are also, so it just wouldn’t be right…” Bette let out another mischievous grin as she finished.

Tina did not know whether she was mad that bette flirted with her only when she was not in her senses or that she had insinuated to something between them.

“Out of it?! Bette, you are always off and out. You talk rubbish!”

“Yeah…” Bette began to walk away but Tina grabbed hold of her jacket.

“Listen to me…Just listen to me,” Tina tightened her hold on Bette as Bette tried to get away.

“Ok, fine … what?!” trying not to concentrate on the hold that Tina had on her…or maybe over her.

“Stop passing judgment on my life. Who do you think you are, the Supreme Court? I am happy and satisfied with my life. I am sure though, that your life is empty and your dreams are unfulfilled. Think about yourself and what you can do with your own life. Otherwise, you are an unhappy and bitter woman and will always be….” She finished a bit too sharply than she had intended to.

Bette stepped closer to Tina, holding her gaze. “And you are a beautiful woman and will always be,” she said softly, the warmth in her breathe grazing Tina’s cheeks and causing goosebumps to erupt on her skin.

Once again, Tina found herself getting lost in Bette’s soulful eyes. She could not remember why she was standing there or what she had said prior to that given moment. Her throat felt dry and she swallowed a lump.

“T…Tina, we are more alike than different. We are both empty and struggling through life. We have both been hurt but the only difference is that my wounds are visible while yours are not,” Bette broke off and adopted a more collegiate tone breaking the spell between them … “and to discuss the sad details of our lives, we should have coffee.”

Tina regained her composure. Coffee with Bette was as appealing as renting summer houses in Antarctica.

“No thank you. I am sure my husband is waiting for me at home.”

Not to be shot down, Bette agreed, “Oh yes, Alice must be waiting for me at home too.”

They both nodded, turning around. What they saw next left them gaping.

Eric was at the florist stand hugging Alice as he handed her a bouquet. They both shared a joke, laughing lightly.

Tina and Bette exchanged shocked and embarrassed looks, and once again, headed in opposite directions.