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Bette Meets the Gypsy (#21) Touch Tones
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The leaves settle and then, she peers into mine and begins.
”There are many believers of the Old Ways.” She looks around us, as if they might step out of the walls for tea and a séance. ”Might you be convinced – for a little while – to be one of them?” She cocks her eyebrows at me quizzically, and Tina lights the candles around the room.
Soon, every shape has softened.
On the table by me is the last candle, and as Tina blows out the match, my eyes shift out of focus – for only a moment – but when I come back the Gypsy has taken my hand in hers. Her thumb brushes across the plane of my palm. She shifts in her seat to get a better look, and draws the candle closer for light.
I feel the warmth from the flame, and the Gypsy’s cool fingers, as they trace over every inch, and somehow that relaxes me. I look over at Tina, and she meets my eyes with such love.
”It’s going to be fine. You’re fine.” She squeezes my other hand, and I wait for her to bite her lip in doubt, but she doesn’t.
”There’s so much here. Close your eyes, Bette, and wait to see an animal. Then, tell me what it is.”
I do as I’m told, and a bird flies by in my mind – on its way to somewhere – and below it’s wings, the bushes shake in a dark green forest. A black animal, with ruby colored eyes, stares back at me.
”Oh!” I suck in my breath too fast. ”A black panther.”
”I see.” The Gypsy says.
My eyes flash open. ”You do?”
”Bette!” Tina cries exasperated. ”Come back down with us.”
”You’re there, too?”
”Yes, above you.”
”Okay, if you say so.” I close my eyes, and the panther stares back at me.
When I was a motherless young girl, the women in our Baptist church were superstitious old crows, all of them. They had looked at me, as if I’d been cursed. My Mother had just died and disappeared suddenly. I had a busy father, who slept around, and out of the blue, Kit’s mother had cycled back for another go . . . but I was not her child.
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This was again a fantastic chapter, you make me laugh and feel sad in one chapter.
Would love to read more about Bette and the Gipsy, it seems that she can finally heal from her past and move forward to a strong, healthy and loving relationship and have peace with herself.
Love Alice and Shane, wonderful friends.
Thanks for the update!
Lollypop91 Via email to me
2 minutes ago
That one really got to me, when Tina screams Bettes name and all she can do is watch! I don’t know how you do it, but that was amazing. I loved that style so much, I hope there is more like that to come! Another great one, thanks for being amazing!
L x
I’m interested, after you’ve finished reading, how you felt while reading the set up to her journey? The feeling of the Gypsy’s house, the mood I created at the table, the way the spirit animal led her – I’d like to know how that felt for you as you absorbed its intended mood.
And then, at this climax of that scene –
Crumbled on the floor, Tina holds the cloth – like a blindfold to her eyes – and over the pounding of my heart she screams my name.
My head falls into my hands, and I weep, and nothing she says – no words that she’s forgiven me – can stop me from my shame.
_________
— How was that moment?
Blackbird
BETTE always the doubter until she sees for herself the anguish and hurt that was inflicted on TINA.all is forgiven except the shame.let’em eat and hope tomorrow is a better day.thanks
Via email to me from ghm…
Wow it is so good, so I guess Tina told Bette about the gypsy and now things are getting very interesting, this is really good material. Thx
Via email to me from mgc…
A good connection to the Tina & the gypsy story line. You would imagine that Bette would be curious to know what Tina has been doing there for months.
Looking forward to finding out more of what was revealed to Bette.
Shane & Alice are just a riot!!! So good to their friends.
Enjoyed it, thanks
Wonderful story! Can’t wait to see what happens next. Love the gypsy story line.
Doris, I am crazy about the Gypsy, too! To me, these characters give a writer the opportunity to use magical realism to show their inner thoughts, and foreshadowing their dilemmas. As much as I like a straight on storytelling technique, I love the out-of-this-world perspective it allows. It’s especially delightful when applied to women, and especially these women.
Glad you dig it.
Blackbird
Enjoyed your update! I’d like to read more of Bette and the Gypsy. The image of the panther guiding her through her vision seems strong and quite fitting for her character. Reminds me of therapeutical hynosis with Bette going back to the Candace disaster to be confronted with some of Tina’s pains.
Seems to me that Bette and Tina should do some serious talking before getting married.
Where did Bette’s fear of Tina having doubts about them come from? Did they really address all issues that led to their first break up? Are there some demons left? Why did Tina felt the need to see the Gypsy for not only once or twice but for months?
Maybe they should stop going with the flow of daily life, leave Maxine/Mary with all her issues, their friends and all the things going on around them aside for a while and concentrate on their relationship, their little family some more.
Can’t wait to read more, thanks for posting!
Kiwi,
For me, it was interesting to take Bette into an alternative world, and let her see what was left as unresolved from her lifelong pain of abandonment. Thus, the mother story, that led to the vision of the harm she caused when she abandoned Tina. And by abandonment of Tina, I mean abandoning their agreement, their fidelity, their ‘unmarried vows’ to each other. They were a couple, not in an open relationship.
It’s called a “repetition complex”, when people do the same harm and wounding that was caused to them. It’s unconscious. I felt it was time to show Bette – one last time – what harm she had done and let her feel it in all its raw intensity. I believe she’s done with her demons that relate to abandonment, and any more unconscious acts – on that subject, ever, ever again. So, to answer your question specifically – I don’t think there are big demons left.
Writers like to search in the closets and attics of their characters minds though and find demons. Makes for good dramatic tension, and problems to solve. These protagonists are our heroes, and like the best heroes – they are wounded heroes. I’ll give you a great word I was thinking about when writing Bette’s visit with the Gypsy – hamartia.
I’m in love with Maxine. I like it when she appears and Bette gets off her game somewhat, and is a fish out of water. That’s another great theme I like to throw at her. It confuses her, but she’s so fucking smart – she always gets it sorted, and comes out on top.
Why did Tina go to the Gypsy so many times? — We’ll wait to hear more about that . . .
And not that you mentioned this, but I get notes to my email or PMs sometimes when a character like Penny shows up – in my storytelling. In my stories these characters don’t cheat on each other. I find that to be an incredible tedious storyline, and once is enough. She’s crazy about Tina, and now she’s felt it in her body the anguish she caused. That’s a powerful place to feel things. She’s going to be fine. They’re going to be fine.
But as a last note – this genre I’m writing in is a romantic drama that I lean toward a romantic comedy when appropriate.
Your comment and thoughtful questions are much appreciated, Kiwi. I’m keeping my thinking cap on, I can tell you’re inquisitive!
Blackbird
MG col. . . . sent me an email –
I have been cycling back through the chapters & picking up on details I missed through the first read.
Terrific explanations and character POVs.
Kit is wonderful with her thoughts and memories of her & Bette’s past. It further explains their relationship.
Tina’s questioning of her decision to spend the rest of her life with Bette is truly touching. They have always belonged together & she realizes that now deep in her soul. Life has no meaning without Bette.
Bette knows the same. They have grown back together & nothing will come between them again. Being married will ground them like nothing has in the past. To them, its even more important now than in the past. This is their recommitment to each other.
I married my life partner last year in LA & it was a reaffirmation of our commitment to each other that we had made 28 years before.
Your telling of the story line is fantastic as always. Very talented, detailed and thoughtful. Thank you for your dreams and thoughts.
Via email to me –
Blackbird,
Great continuation of the story. Although I was a little concerned about the mind set of Bette & what she is thinking. Can she forgive herself for her actions & behavior toward Tina & herself. Bette realizes she was reckless & careless with her sex life & how at times she had used it against Tina. She finally accepts her guilt & comes face to face with how Tina reacted to her betrayal.
I also think that Bette’s frequent coupling with others is based on her deep loneliness & emotional, physical abandonment by her mother.
Tina appears to have moved beyond the hurt & left it in the past. She wants Bette to do the same so that they can be stronger together in the future.
In regards to your questions –
the chapter was suspenseful & a bit stressful, not knowing how it was going to play out.
As always, thanks for your efforts & attention to the details in your writing.
Awaiting for the next installment.
Best Regards,
Collins
From Gralise via email comment to me-
ME AGRADAN SUS HISTORIAS,MUY ORIGINALES,CON MUCHA IMAGINACION,LO CUAL PERMITE AL QUE LAS LEE,SEGUIR CONECTADOS IMAGINARIAMENTE A ESTAS DOS HERMOSAS ACTRICES,MUCHAS GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR SU GRAN TALENTO.
Excellent chapter.
Going to the next chapter.
the entire constellation