I was going to say beautiful but then I saw…

Its alright Tina, Bette remarks holding her hound out

Tina placed her slim hand inside of Bettes and together they felt a jolt of pure fire run through their hands and spreading throughout their bodies to the far reaches of their baby toes.

Thats quite a magical handshake you have there, Bette joked as she reluctantly let go of Tinas hand

You as well, said Tina with a grin but that faded when she realized that Bette couldnt see it

Would you like the join me Tina?

There arent any free seats.

Shane who had been hovering nearby pointed at the man sitting on Bettes left, You. Leave.

The startled man threw down some money, grabbed his drink and left all the while Tina was protesting at this.

Sit, sit, Shane said motioning toward the now empty stool. With a shake of her head Tina sat on the stool as Bette swivelled around so she was facing the bar

Thank you Shane.

Not a problem Lizzie, excuse, Shane said seeing someone waving her down

You seem to know her very well.

Bette just smiled mysteriously at that.

You know something thats weird, Tina asked

That my eyes dont see anything and yet they are focused on you, Bette interjected with

That wasnt what Tina was going to say but now that Bette mentioned it thats what she was thinking.

Well yeah now that you mention that is a little weird.

Its something Ive learned, to focus my eyes, because you wouldnt want this, Bette let her eyes goes and they started to wander

Woo, no youre right. That is more weird.

Bette focused her eyes once again, Whats strange?

What?

Bette laughed a magical laugh that touched a place deep within Tina that no one had ever previously reached.

You asked me what was weird, Bette encouraged

Oh Right. I forgot what I was going to say.

Lizzie has that affect on people, Shane remarked coming back over to them, Their mind goes completely blank.

Bette just grinned to this, Tina…

Kennard, Tina pointed out

Bette smiled, Tina Kennard I would like you to meet Shane McCutcheon.

The two woman shook hands and it proved to be ordinary in manner unlike the handshake that Tina and Bette had shared. Tinas eternal curiosity was peaked and she had to ask the question once again.

How do you two know each other?

We used to be married, said Shane

That certainly proved that the great beauty that was Bette Porter was *****.

Married, Tina asked

Both woman nodded their heads.

What was it, Shane started, Two, three…

Six.

Six years, Shane smiled, We came to the erroneous conclusion one day that we had become like best friends and not wives. Still had ***** that curled your toes, but we didnt see each other as wife anymore. So we decided that we were better off as friends.

Tina raised an eyebrow as she was momentarily distracted by the curling toe *****. When her brain caught back on track, How long have you been separated?

Shane frowned, What, two, three weeks?

Weeks?

Yes, Bette smiled, Ooh I forgot to mention to you that Fred and Ed called and said that the divorce papers would be delivered tomorrow.

Well isnt that wonderful. We should celebrate.

We should.

Tina just shook her head at this, I dont think Ive ever seen two people that were so happy to be divorced.

Both Bette and Shane shrugged in unison.

Why dont we go and find ourselves a table Tina, Bette suggests

Tina looks around and spots a few empty tables, Sure.

Bette could hear the hesitation in Tinas voice, Just lead and I will follow, she smiled

Okay, Tina returned smiling as well

Millie, Bette called

Tina jumped when a black lab heaved to its feet to the right of Bette and stood at attention.

Woah, I didnt notice her.

You should be lucky then, Shane interjected with

What does that mean?

Shes…protective of me, Bette started to explain, She is my barometer of truth to if a woman is going to be a nut ball or the real deal. You my deal are the real deal.

How do you figure?

She didnt make her presence known, Shane explained, She bit the ankle of the last chick that tried to pick Bette up.

Tina raised an eyebrow looking down at the beautiful dog who was looking up at her. She smiled down at the dog.

Go ahead, you can pet her, Bette said softly

Tina hesitantly reached down her hand and touched Millies nose. She smiled when Millie licked her hand.

Well that just proves its fate, said Shane with a lopsided grin

With one hand on Millies lead collar and holding out her other hand which Tina took the two headed off to a table together. They managed to get their without Bette running into too many people. Once they were seated Bette smiled and sighed.

I dont know why I insist upon coming here, Bette smiled, Im no longer with the wife so I dont have to come, she joked

Tina laughed at this, Im sure she enjoys your company. You two really dont have any lingering feelings toward one another?

Bette shook her head to this, No. Other than the occasional sexual escapade I got nothing.

Tina didnt really know what to say to this.

Im kidding Tina.

Tina let out breath she didnt know shed been holding, Good, thats good.

Bette smiled cockily at this, A little sure of yourself arent we?

You know it.

Bette felt something in her stir at the boldness of this new and interesting woman.

I like that, Bette remarked in a low voice

Tina raised an eyebrow to the huskiness of Bettes voice and swallowed thickly. Bette just smiled at hearing Tina swallow so hard.

Tell me about you Tina.

Uh…well I work as a director at an art gallery.

Really, Bette asked intrigued, You love art then I take it?

I love art, Tina smiled once again realizing that Bette couldnt see that, Damn.

What, asked Bette

You cant see it when I smile.

Bette smiled at this as it was something shed often come into contact with before.

Do you want to know what all the people around me do to tell me they are smiling?

That would be ever so helpful.

Bette reached to where she pictured Tina to be and touched her on her arm. Tina didnt know what this meant and when she did a smile blossomed on her face and she reached and touched Bette on the arm.

You got it.

Thank you Bette.

Your welcome. So Ms. director of an art gallery how long have you been ***** for?

Well that was subtle.

About as long as I can remember. I knew I was into girls at an early age.

I wish I was so lucky to have figured that out at an early age.

When did you figure it out?

I think I was fifteen or sixteen.

I understand, said Tina, Lets see I have two brothers who are both older than me. Both my parents are still alive and they are very supportive of me and my choices. I have two best friends. Alice and Jenny. The two of them are a hoot. They have such different styles and tastes that it is never boring around us.

Sounds fun.

It is. I love Chinese and Italian. I love the show CSI.

Ive listened to that show. Its cool.

Tina smiled and touched Bettes arm, I uh…can I ask you something?

Have I been blind all of my life?

Thats the question, said Tina

No, I havent, Bette started, Ive only been blind since I was seventeen.

How did it happen if you dont mind me asking?

I got shot in the head, said Bette with a straight face

Oh my god! Really?

Bette broke out into a huge grin, No.

Thats not funny.

Bette laughed, Youll have to get used to my sense of humor.

A little sure of yourself arent you?

You know it.

Tina laughed at this, How did you become blind, she asked again

When I was seventeen I got this fever. I ignored it thinking it wasnt anything big. My life was stressful at this time. I was graduating college, I had just come out to my family who were on the verge of disowning me. When I dropped unconscious I couldnt ignore the fever any longer. Lasting brain damage was this, Bette said tapping her head next to her eye. If you hang around long enough you will find I am a health nut.

Because you werent so proactive in your own health right?

Exactly.

Tina was about to say something when Shane appeared at Bettes side.

What is it Shane, Bette asked before Shane could even say anything.

Tina was intrigued by this.

Brittany called.

Tina noticed the immediate look of concern flash across Bettes face.

What is it?

Shane touched Bettes shoulder telling her that she was smiling, She said that Michael and Amelia are finally asleep.

Bette sighed at this, Good thats good. I was so freaking out by leaving them at home with their colds.

We needed to get out of the house Lizzie. We were both getting so stir crazy.

Bette sighed and nodded her head to this, I know. Thank you for telling me Shaney.

Shane touched Bettes shoulder and was away.

Michael and Amelia are our four year old twins, Bette explained answering the question she knew Tina was dying to ask

Tina laughed, You must have sixth sense to make up for the lack of one of your five senses.

Sometimes I really think that. Are you sure you want to get involved with me? I have a lot of baggage.

Tina took Bettes hand into her own both of them feeling a jolt once again, Im all in.

Bette turned her hand over Tinas so that their palms were touching, Me as well.

It occurred to both of these woman that they had just met each other but you couldnt stand in the path of true love when you find it.


TBC….Next up, we learn more about our favorite Brunette beauty