Bette gets a quizzical look on her face.

“You sure everything’s ok?” Lucy questions her.

“Uh huh,” Bette answers, distracted as another text comes in.

And nothing else. – Tina

“I have to go.  Now.”  Bette is out the door before Lucy can say another word.

Bette is in her jeep, driving to Tina’s.  Her mind is all over the place as to what Tina’s text meant exactly.  She was pretty sure she knew, but she didn’t want to expect too much.  Between Tina’s last text and Hannah’s comments about a baby, Bette’s focus was everywhere but traffic.  She didn’t realize she was speeding until she heard the siren behind her and looked up to see red and blue lights flashing in her rear view mirror.  That’s when she looked down at her dash and saw the speedometer registering 85. 

She obediently pulled over and waited for the citation she knew she deserved.  The officer approached the window, “Good evening ma’am.  I’m Officer Reynolds with the police department.  Do you know why I pulled you over?”

Bette shook her head yes and answered, “I was speeding.”

“Yes ma’am, you could say that.  I need to see your license and insurance.”

Bette handed the officer both of the requested items.  He looked at her driver’s license.  “Miss Porter, is there a reason for your speed this evening?”

“Nothing I want to talk about.”

“Ok.”  The officer looks closer at the license and then at Bette again.  “Miss Porter, are you a member of the Coast Guard?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I thought you looked familiar.”

Bette looks at him questioning.

“About two years ago, you saved me and my wife when we got caught out in a storm.  Our boat capsized and my wife freaked out.  I thought she was going to drown us both until you showed up.”

“I remember that.  You two doing ok now?”

“Yes ma’am.  Are you ok?  You seem kind of distracted?”

“I’m on my way to a very important engagement.”

The officer hands her back her license and insurance.  “You have a good evening ma’am and drive safe.  We want you to make it to that engagement in one piece.”

Bette looks at him again questioning.

“Miss Porter, you saved my life and my wife’s.  I couldn’t write you a ticket.  Go on to your engagement.”

“Thank you Officer Reynolds.”

The officer returns to his car and turns all the lights off.  Bette sits there for a moment to compose herself.

Back at Tina’s apartment, she is completely ready and has been for a while now.  What is wrong with this picture?  She didn’t respond to my text.  She’s not here yet.  It doesn’t take that long to get here from Lucy and Renee’s.  I hope she didn’t get cold feet. 

Bette is still parked on the side of the road.  It’s already been thirty minutes since I got that text.  I hope she doesn’t think I changed my mind or don’t want to see her.  Maybe I should call.  No she texted me first, I’ll send a return text.

I’m on my way.  I just got pulled over for speeding.  Oops!  It’s your fault.  You’re paying the ticket.  Ha, ha.  I love you. – Swimmer1

Tina’s text alert sounds and she sees it’s from Bette.  She laughs as she reads it.

Slow down Porter.  I want you to arrive safely.  I’ll still be here when you get here.  And yes, I’ll pay your ticket.  I love you too. – Tina

Bette is relieved when she gets the return text from Tina.  Ok, one more stop and I’m on my way.  Bette pulls up to her favorite florist and gets a dozen roses for Tina.  Can’t show up empty-handed now can I?

Ten minutes later Bette pulls into the parking lot of Tina’s building.  She’s nervous, anxious, excited all at once.  She pops a breath mint and sprays on some perfume.  Wish I had time to run home and shower, but I don’t want to keep her waiting any longer.  Bette takes a couple of deep breaths before she steps out of the vehicle.  Here we go!