Chapter 4

Bette was on her way to work, she turned on the radio in the car. A familiar song was playing and she hummed along with it trying to stop herself from thinking about Tina. It wasnt helping so she turned the radio off. Tinas last words to her echoed in her head, Oscar and I are having a babyhaving a babyhaving a baby

Bette: ***** Oscar!!!how the ***** did he get into the picture? I thought he was married!!!

The emptiness she felt since that evening was eating her up inside. She got to work an hour earlier than usual and spent the whole day completely devoting herself to the new exhibition planned.
She went home at the end of the day. It was almost 8pm when she entered the empty apartment. She took a long look around and quickly realized that she didnt want to be there. The truth was she just didnt want to be alone. She exited the apartment and called Candace.
Hello? she heard Candaces voice.
Bette: Its me she said softly, may I come over?
Candace: Yes, I am babysitting, you can help me.
Bette: Sounds great. She was happy to find something to occupy herself with.

She drove to Candaces home, only to find the door locked. She knocked a few times, but there was no answer so she called Candaces cell.
Bette: Where are you? she asked as soon as Candace picked up.
Candace: Come around to the back of the house, we are here.

Bette walked to the backyard Candace was there with Karina, the birthday girl from the party. They were in the pool. Candace had her arms under Karinas body as she was floating.

Karina Hi Bette she yelled, look at me, I can swimTia is teaching me.
Bette laughed and said thats greatKarina, She removed her shoes and rolled up her pants. She dipped her legs into the water as she sat on the edge of the pool and watched them.
She longed for a child, she longed for a family.

Bette spent the rest of the evening with Candace and Karina. She had so much fun spending time with the little girl that her loneliness seemed to fade away. The evening was precious and she didnt want it to end.

Later that night she put Karina on Candaces bed and kissed her goodnight. Candace took out a book from Karinas bag and sat on t h bed next to her and began reading. Bette leaned on the bedroom door and listened to the story. She couldnt help smiling at the sight of Candace and her niece. She couldnt help thinking of Tina, all I wanted was this she thought, a childa familya home. She looked at Candace again, her eyes full of love for her niece and thought of al the new things she found in Candace and said to herself you are great Candaceyou are really great., but you are not Tina.

Her thought was cut off by the sound of the doorbell ringing. Candace asked Bette to open it, so Bette left them in the room and went to open the door. Teresa was standing outside. She was there to pick up her daughter.
Bette: Hi Teresa, Candace is putting Karina to sleep, she whispered. She wants to spend the night here.
Teresa walked inside and took her coat off.
She was wearing a black dress that showed a generous cleavage, she looked amazing.
Bette went to the living room and sat down on the couch.

Teresa: Nice to see you again Bette.
Bette: You tooyou look great, she said with a smile.
Teresa smiled as well thank youI had a date tonightthe weirdest date in my life, she said rolling her eyes. Let me check on my baby and Ill tell you all about it, she said as she was walking towards the bedroom.

A few minutes later, Teresa returned, took off her shoes and sat on the couch next to Bette.

Teresa: I have a feeling the story is going to get Candace asleep first.
Bette laughed. They started talking and Teresa told her all about her night. It was a very funny story. Apparently Teresas date was quite weird, but she made fun of the whole thing and Bette laughed till tears came out of her eyes. She thought Teresa was hilarious, twisting her face in pain telling Bette about her adventure.

Teresa: This is the last time I am letting Candace hook me up on a blind date with one of her handyman girlsthe last time Im going on a blind date, period.
Bette was still laughing. They talked about everything, life, children, work, until Teresa fell asleep. That night Bette felt that she made a new friend, a person she had so much in common with. She easily pictured Teresa hanging out with the gang, Alice, Dana and Shane. Hmmm, maybe I should introduce her to one of themshes definitely everyones type, she thought. Oh no Bette changed her mind because Teresa said no more blind dates.

Bette fell asleep on the couch too, it was the first time she slept through the night in Candaces place without dreaming of Tina.


(Alices apartment – morning)

It was 10:00 am when Tina found herself wandering around the apartment. It had been two days since she had that dream, two days since she went to Dr. Mendezs office. She felt as if her mind was under a spell, a magical hand did not let her stop thinking of that day. She was obsessed, her whole being needed to go back there again, to the medical center to solve the mystery of those eyes that haunted her. She couldnt think of anything else since.

She took the car and drove there not knowing what to do or say once she got there. All she wanted was to see the doctors face. What am I doing she said to herself, this is crazy.
The memory of Bettes face behind the mask was too painful, she needed the image to disappear.

As soon as she entered the clinic the nurse recognized her immediately, Ms. Kennard youre back, are you in pain again?
Tina was confused, she wasnt prepared for any questions.
Tina: Oh, yes.a little bit, she lied.
Nurse: Please come in, I will let the doctor know you are here she said and escorted Tina in to the same room as the other day.
Tina sat in the char, feeling like a fool. She regretted coming there in the first place, this is so silly she thought.
The doctor walked in a minute later, Tinas back was to the door.
Dr Mendez: Miss Kennard? she said fixing the m ask on her face.
Tina thinking OH NO, THAT MASK AGAIN!!! She was desperate.
Doctor: Still having the same problem? she asked
Tina: Hmmm.yes, a little bit. She lied again.
The doctor leaned over and opened her mouth gently. Tina felt those shivers again, her heart racing in her chest, excited by the doctors presence.
Doctor: I dont see anything unusualthe swelling is gone and he bleeding stoppedwhere is it hurting you exactly?
Tina was embarrassed, she felt ashamed of lying and started to move uncomfortably in the chair.

Tina: Well she started saying nervously, I have a confession to makeyou seeI had this dreamabout youand I came here I dont really now whybutII lied.Im not really in pain.
She noticed the surprise on Dr Mendezs eyes. You dont have any pain?
No Tina replied and lowered her eyes.
Dr. Mendez paused and then said I see.

Tina wanted to bury herself in the ground. She lifted her eyes and whispered can you take off the mask?
The doctor laugheda laughter so sweet and warm that Tina felt even more embarrassed.
Well said the doctor finally, looking into Tinas eyes, If I show you my facewill you have dinner with me tomorrow?
Tina could not believe her ears, she now had a huge smile on her face, Yes she replied, Yes.
The doctor lifted her hand and removed the mask revealing a big smile. She was breathtaking, her lips were lusty and red and her teeth were white as snow.
She looked at Tina without saying a word. They both smiled.

Doctor: Tomorrow then?
Tina: Tomorrow she replied.

Just as the previous time, the nurse entered the room and started to look for something in one of the drawers.

Doctor: You have my number Tinadont you? if theres a problem,: she said in a formal tone.
Tina: Yes I do she said formally as well, thank you dr. Mendez.

The doctor turned around to face Tina again and said as she was leaving the room: Please …call me Teresa”.