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Bette Meets the Gypsy (#21) Touch Tones
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A strange woman in my house, the evil eyes from the women at church, and my isolation was complete. When I had cried, I had cried alone.
”This red-eyed animal of yours, a he or she?” The Gypsy asks.
”With a pretty good sized pair of balls on him, too.” And saying so, I follow him through thick underbrush, and come upon a white church, where my father and I had stood outside – for a long time together – as we’d watched my mother’s hearse drive away.
The Gypsy continues tracing my palm with her fingers, lulling me back to that afternoon, floating me back down to earth again, when I see the black shoes, I’d spent a long time before her funeral polishing.
I knew something wonderful had ended for me then. Whatever soothing from the meanness of life had gone, vanished, and was never to be mine again — until I’d had my own family. Then, the hole had scarred over. Only then, had I begun to calm down, and breathe with a rhythm that had begun to heal me.
I hadn’t thought – or not thought – much about marriage for most of my adult life. Who was there to marry, and when? Nobody! Who was there to date, and where? Anyone I’d wanted.
But finding it in myself for a commitment? A whole different story.
The underbrush in front of me moves, and the panther picks up his pace.
A dark place we go next, and his tail flicks sharply from side to side. Wary, too, I hunch down on the ground next to him. We peer through the windows of my bedroom, and tearing the clothes out of my closet is Tina. My mouth goes dry, as I witness her anguish, and my stomach wretches with hers as she crawls across our bedroom floor and vomits into a waste can.
Alice appears in the bedroom doorway with a glass of water for Tina, and seeing her on the floor sobbing – Alice rushes into the bathroom, and returns with a moist wash cloth.
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.
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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