Bette had been gone an hour and Tina wasn’t about to set and wait not a minute longer. She put on her jacket and went to Maria. When she knocked on the door, Maria saw the devastation on her face.

“Can you please take me into town?” she pleaded. “I need find her.”

“Yes dear, yes.  Please come in.”

 Tina went inside. She hovered around the door as an indication she wanted to hurry. Maria handed Tina keys to her car and told her go.

“Find her,” she said.

Tina smiled and thanked Maria then walked out the door. She drove into town not having any idea where to begin looking. She parked the car close to the caf where she and Bette had eaten lunch. Walking was better than driving this way she could hit every shop or museum in sight. She was eager to find her and find her soon. It was time, no more dodging the question. In less then three days, they would be going home. Tina wanted resolve before they left. One way or the other she wanted resolve.

She walked across the street and stepped up on the curb. As she rounded the corner, she saw a bed of red flowers covering the street. Half the block had become the merchants selling ground. Poppies were every where. Tina breathed it in and it comforted her momentarily. The gentlemen seller clipped a flower and handed it to her.   

“Buona sera miss, i fiori (flower)” he extended his arm handing Tina the flower. “Sei bellissima. (you are beautiful)” he said smiling.  He kissed his finger tips and sent it to her.

“Grazie, (thank you)” she replied as she smiled and smelled the flower.

He nodded his head, “Ciao,” he called to her.

“Ciao,” she said and walked on.

  Not more than a block away, she heard the faint sounds of music coming from some where. She had heard it before, it was so familiar. Beautiful music filled the streets and she felt drawn to it. Tina walked slowly towards it as the sound rang in her ears. And like a wave that crashes against the shore, it came to her. She had stepped out of her dream into reality. It had taken her by the hand and was leading her, showing her the way. She remembered it clearly, the bed of red poppies far as the eye could see. The music, the beautiful music it billowed louder and louder, drawing her in. She followed it, letting it take her where it would. And then sure enough, there she was just behind the cathedral. Grandeur, the large steeple towered high above her. The bells rang making a deep pounding in her chest as rain began to fall. Tina looked up at the steeple the rain gently hitting her face. She headed up the slope to get a closer look. Her steps became faster and soon she found herself running upwards towards the church. The elevation left her feeling a little out of breath. But, she was curious to see what was on the other side. She ran harder trying to beat the rain. She could hear it sloshing under her feet causing her to slip. She just kept on going. Just as she ran around the corner, there coming towards her was Bette. Their eyes met and they held the look as Tina walked closer to her. Bette looked tired and fragile. Her lips quivered as the rain ran down her face. They stood face to face, neither of them saying a word. Could this be happening, she thought. It was happening. Fate had stepped in and gave them a push. As though heaven opened its arms, and cradled them inside, knowing their destiny all along. It had brought them both here, right here at this very spot.

Tina reached for Bette as she started to cry. The empty look on her face told the story. She had been shaken to her foundation. The endless cascade of emotion drowns her like the rain that fell. There was a look of defeat about her. Their bodies drew closer together shaken and cold from pain.

Tina held her tight and softly whispered to Bette, “I have never stopped loving you, Bette Porter, not for one minute.”

 Bette heard her words and for the first time a sparkle of hope lit in her eyes. Tina pressed her lips against Bette’s. She sighed as Tina’s gentleness turned to hunger. With passion she devoured her, breathing her in. They stood in the rain and let one kiss bring them back to the place each of them needed be.