Some kind of wonderful

Chapter 11

Tina arrived at Bette’s apartment and hurried upstairs – she had just picked up some food and was really looking forward to seeing the brunette. She knocked at the door  – after a few minutes the front door opened and Bette appeared. She was wearing lycra shorts and a baggy white tee-shirt.
“How are you ? “ Tina said
“Better for seeing you “ Bette gestured for Tina to come into the apartment. She slammed the door once Tina was inside and dropped the lock.
“Food “ Tina said holding up the brown bag
“Fantastic – you can come visit me any time you like if you bring food – come on through to the kitchen “
Bette got two huge plates out and Tina lifted out the take away boxes
“Thai curry “ Tina said opening one of the cartons
“Fucking awesome “ Bette said grinning – she reached out and pulled Tina close
“The food will get cold “
“There is no danger of that “ Bette kissed Tina – their lips slowly moving together. Tina was loving tasting Bette again. But she pulled away
“Kissing later – food now “
“Yes mom “ Bette grinned and handed Tina a large serving spoon so she could serve the curry and rice up
“I got nann bread and a six pack of beer”
“Great – thanks “
“How was work ? Did you get much sleep ?”
“I cleaned test tubes and did loads of crappy stuff but there are a couple of other trainees and we get on well enough – we have a good time. They are going to be on my course when term starts so we have to get along”
“What time did you get back ?”
“I got home around 7:30 – made some toast – ate it and fell into bed. I have been up since about 2- I went for a run “
“Very productive “ Tina said
“What about you ?”
“I went swimming at about the same time as you were eating toast and falling into bed. Then I worked on some job application forms and worked on my resume. I think maybe its aimed too high. I need another resume to get me a job in a bar or in an office”
“No luck ?”
“No – another pile of rejections or no answers at all. Lets not talk about that though. Lets eat and see what we can do for the rest of the night”
“I am sure we can both think of lots of activities “ Bette said carrying her plate round to the sofa and sitting down. Tina followed her with the six pack of beer as well as her plate. She sat down beside Bette and kissed the brunette.
Bette grinned and returned the kiss after swallowing a mouthful of food. Tina could see that Bette was really hungry – especially seeing as she had been running as well as working a night shift. So she didn’t start talking as she usually would have. She just ate in silence and drank her beer. She had so many great memories of sharing meals with Bette. Meals that Bette had cooked, late night snacks when they were studying and long afternoons eating potato chips and drinking coke in Central Park. Just to share a meal in comfortable silence was good. It had only been four days since they had met up again and they were slowly starting to just get used to being in one another’s lives again.
Tina watched with amusement when Bette finished her meal and after Tina refused extra helpings the brunette went and half filled her plate again. Tina started her second beer and just enjoyed being in Bette’s apartment. Finally Bette picked up both plates and went to the sink.
Tina got up and went to look out of the window  – Bette had a number of OCD behaviours when they had first met. Some had been shed while they had been dating – she wondered if 4 years had seen Bette over come all the others. Tina turned and watched Bette – she was washing up with great care. Tina smiled- well that had been one of the most ingrained one. Bette looked up and caught Tina watching her
“I am still a clean freak “
“Nothing wrong with that- some under graduates had some disgusting habits”
Bette grinned “ Imagine being me and being faced with some snobby girls who didn’t know what washing up was”
“I imagine it would be fun “
“I lost my temper more than once and dumped their dirty washing up in their beds”
Tina laughed “I would expect nothing less of you “
When Bette had washed the crockery and cutlery and put them away to her standards she washed the sink and finally she washed her hands and came back to join Tina at the window. She pulled her close and kissed her on the lips
“Thanks for not pointing out my freakiness “
“You were not freaky when you were 17 and you are not now. Did you have any issues with some of your quirks ?”
Bette collected her second beer from the pack and sat down and indicated for Tina to sit with her. Tina put her bottle of beer down on the coaster and moved close to Bette. Bette put her arm around her – Tina willingly snuggled up to the brunette.
“It wasn’t easy. When I got to Yale and I was so miserable I regressed. It took me so long to get my room just the way I wanted it.  I would get up in the middle of the night if I decided my desk wasn’t arranged properly. I know that I was trying to make sense of the chaos in my head – just like I had been when I was growing up and couldn’t deal with being so different. And it was hard to shut all the chaos around me out when I was with a woman “
Tina could see that it would be hard for Bette – especially if the girl didn’t really know Bette and had no way of understanding her strange behaviours.
“Was it really bad ?”
“The OCD stuff or everything else “
“Whatever you want to tell me “ Tina wasn’t going to push Bette into saying anything that she was not ready for.
“I know it’s a cliché but I came out of my shell when we were dating and I was in a new place with new people and without the woman who understood my quirks and didn’t say anything when I did something. It didn’t take long before the girls I shared a kitchen with spotted my little flaws and made fun of me”
Tina winched
“Now I can make jokes about my OCD behaviour and the less stressed I feel – the less I tend to do some things – like the obsessive washing up and the way I set my desk out. But when I am feeling isolated – like when I was growing up – that’s when it gets worse”
Tina took hold of Bette’s hand and kissed it
“I am sorry”
Bette shrugged “It didn’t occur to me that I do it when I am feeling under threat”
“So what happened ?””
“I went to see one of the college counsellors. I am sure  they get every weirdo on campus through their offices at some point during the four years. So I went to see someone “
“I hope they helped you – and that was a brave thing to do “ Tina kissed Bette on the cheek
“It wasn’t like when I was 17 and my dad wanted me to see the prosecutors office shrink. That really upset me and offended me – it was like I was as dysfunctional as some of the criminals he deals with. So I rationalised it that way – these people were trained and wouldn’t treat me like I was a freak. And they didn’t – they were kind and understanding and they really helped me start to settle down. “
Tina really did want to ask about the other women – but it had been four days. She didn’t know if any accidentally rocking of the boat would be terminal at this point. No – there was plenty of time and Bette had always opened up about herself as and when she was ready – there was no point in putting pressure on her because that nearly always backfired.
“And how do you treat your little habits now ?”
Bette smiled “I don’t think I notice them. I saw you watching me as if you were saying to yourself – God yes – she does all these odd things when she is washing up”
“I wasn’t thinking that. I noticed that you still washed up in the same way”
Bette put her hand on Tina’s thigh and stroked it
“I guess I have just learnt to accept a lot about myself “ she sighed “Its really easy to try and change who you are in order to fit in”
Tina nodded – she had tried that and she had failed. She could be trendy and fashionable but she wasn’t one to run with  the pack. She knew if that was true for herself then it applied several times over for Bette – Bette Porter was one of a kind in every way.
“And what have you accepted about you ?” Tina asked teasing Bette
“That I rarely do what people expect me to do – that I am driven in a way that other people are not and I shouldn’t expect anyone to be as obsessed about the same stuff that I am – like running. I have yet to date anyone who runs more than me “
Tina smiled – it was probably confession time – not just yet but sooner rather than later
“Anything else ?”
Bette’s hand had moved across Tina’s thigh and was stroking her crotch
“That I am powerless to resist a certain type of woman “
“What type of woman is that ?” Tina asked softly
“Blonde’s -blondes with nice boobs”
“Have you come across many not nice boobs ?” Tina asked
Bette raised an eyebrow “Well – some are just not as nice as others. No one’s fault but its just one of those things – some boobs are just nicer than others “
“Define nicer “
Tina had a feeling she where this conversation was heading
“Well “ Bette said moving her hand from Tina’s crotch upwards and cupping a breast in her hand
“This is firm but really good to hold. I know it tastes really good and I like sucking at the nipple”
Tina felt her clit twitching – it was just astonishing how good Bette Porter was at talking in this fun and matter of fact way but still getting her going like she was on heat. Bette kissed her – Tina put her hand on Bette’s face to stop the kiss ending. As the kiss deepened and turned passionate Bette started to squeeze Tina’s breast. Tina could feel all the old passions rising again – the ones that had resurfaced four days ago and looked like they had every intention of hanging around. Bette ended the kiss and touched Tina’s face
“Gee Tina”
“What ?”
“There is something between us that I just cannot explain “
“Do you want to explain it – why can it not just be there ?”
Bette let out a breathe “ But I analysis things way too much and its just something I do”
“Are you wondering where all of this is leading ?”
“Yes – you must be as well “
Tina eased away from Bette and got up to get another beer from the counter. She took two bottles, opened both and returned to Bette. She took a long drink of her beer before looking at the brunette.
“Of course I am – but I realise that I don’t know where its going. Its been four days – we still have to get used to one another again. We have changed in a lot of ways and that will start coming through the more time we spend together. Yes I want to know if you and I can make it work but its not something we have enough information to make that call yet. We need to get used to one another, we need to see how we both feel, I need to get my own place”
“How is that going ?”
“Are you changing the subject ?”
“Yes and no “ Bette smiled and lent back “Yes I an still a chronic worrier who is always looking for the hidden meaning in things that don’t have any hidden meanings “
Tina took her hand “ You always were  and I know that you still have a huge heart that is full of kindness and love – that hasn’t gone away either “
Bette shook her head  “No its hasn’t – I guess its in hiding more than it was when we were dating”
“But its still there “ Tina insisted
Bette smiled “Yes its still there – somewhere “
Tina guessed at the moment that Bette had been badly hurt during their four years apart. It was the most plausible explanation for the way Bette was being – all the remarks about what a tart she was. Why would Bette be a tart if not to hide her own pain ?  That was what she, Tina had done -she had had lots of sex but not a lot of making love. She looked at Bette
“We have as long as we need Bette – I realised I hadn’t said that and maybe I should. There is no one else in my life who comes close to being regarded as my girlfriend – just you “
Bette smiled “ Same here “ she looked away for a few seconds as if she was trying to weigh up whether to say what she wanted to. She looked back at Tina
“Tell me if this is too soon and I will not be offended if it  is. I just “ she exhaled “Would you like to be my girlfriend ?”
Tina smiled and lent forward. The kiss was long and slow and she hoped very full of meaning. The kiss went on and on – when Bette tried to end it Tina was having none of it – she pushed Bette backwards and rested her body against Bette’s – she didn’t want this kiss and this moment to end. She didn’t want to leave Bette in any doubt what she wanted – she wanted Bette Porter. Finally after several long and glorious minutes Tina eased back and took a gulp of air. She held Bette’s gaze until finally the brunette grinned
“I will take that as a yes then “
“I would if I was you “ Tina said “ We are dating and that means exclusivity – is that a deal breaker for you ?”
Bette shook her head – yes it had only been four days but she knew that she would be able to be faithful to Tina. She hadn’t been faithful at college because there had been no one to be exclusive for – there had been no utterance of the word.  But this was the real world and this was Tina.
“I swear “ Bette said
“Your word is good enough for me “ Tina said. She kissed Bette again – this time softer and less demanding – they both knew she was going to stay the night  – that didn’t have to be spoken about. When the kiss ended Bette manoeuvred herself off the sofa
“Ice cream ?”
“Oh yes – what have you got ?”
“Chocolate or strawberry ?”
“A scoop of both “ Tina decided
Bette raised an eyebrow and went into the kitchen. When she returned it was with a bowl with both types in for Tina and two scoops of chocolate for herself.
“I thought you didn’t like any ice cream other than chocolate “ Tina said grinning
“If I am being honest – and I am – I bought the strawberry for a female friend who I have had here to dinner a couple of times “
Tina raised an eyebrow – if she questioned Bette it would be a lack of trust. But equally Bette should maybe offer more details without being quizzed.
Tina nodded and started on the ice cream
“Someone who lost her access to her previous benefits four days ago” Bette added
Tina smiled at Bette’s comment
“Is there many of those ?”
“A couple “
“Are you going to tell them ?”
Bette smiled “The etiquette isn’t really something I have considered. Its no big deal – they were just casual relationships “
Tina went back to her ice cream – well she was just going to have to take Bette at her word just like Bette would have to take her at her word that she could be exclusive in the same ways that they had been when they had been at High School.
Bette ate a couple of spoonfuls of ice cream in silence. This hadn’t been an issue at High School
“Remember Ellen with the unpronounceable Eastern European name ?”
Tina looked at Bette “Yes – from school ?”
Bette nodded “She came after me when we got back from the summer vacation and we came out and we were a couple. She was aggressive and forceful in wanting to be with me and wanting me to dump you “
Tina remembered  – it had not been a nice experience
“I wasn’t interested because all I wanted was to be with you – I am that person Tina. Just because I haven’t been that person while I was at college doesn’t really matter because this is different – this is you and me Tina”