***

“How did it go with your parents today ?” Bette asked
They were cuddling on the sofa – it was getting dusk outside and for once things were still in the apartment. They had eaten and instead of going out to a bar or finding a movie to watch they were just sharing some quiet time. Soft music was playing on the CD and all Tina could hear was the singing and the beating of Bette’s heart. She felt so utterly at ease with her girlfriend  – and there was no way Bette didn’t feel the same
Tina lifted her head and kissed Bette
“Kate was as lovely as she always is “
“Did she like the tickets ?”
“I don’t know – she didn’t open the card when I was there – we were talking. I was telling her about the job and about the apartment”
Bette raised an eyebrow “ And how well did that go down ?”
“She was fine – she is happy for me to live my life “
“She is not the problem “ Bette said “ The one thrown out by the Dementors for being too harsh is the issue “
Tina smiled at Bette’s comment – Bette was allowed to make remarks like that – she had suffered because of Emma’s bullying.
“I said that I needed the job because I wanted to buy things for the apartment”
“Does she understand ?”
“Yes – yes she does – she knows that I cannot live at home for the rest of my life. I know she was thrilled when I moved back and she loves having me around “
“You will be able to have a good relationship with them – it does change things but at least you do not have all the hassles about how loud your music is and where you leave wet towels “
“I assume you have just HEARD about people leaving wet towels on floors as you have never left a wet towel on a floor in your life “
“I shared houses with people – I know exactly what fucking slobs people can be “
“I want my own space — I love this apartment – its lovely and I can see why you love it and you treasure the time you spend here”
Bette smiled and kissed Tina “its hard to explain – I just feel that I charge my batteries up when I am here. Some people re-charge themselves in clubs and at parties – for me it is having some space” Bette stroked Tina’s face and kissed her softly on the lips
“I adore having you here – you have to know that. The two things are not mutually exclusive  – I enjoy time on my own and I enjoy just being with you – do you get that?”
“Yes  of course I do – that’s why I want my own place. I am sick of listening to frequent speeches about what a idle, ungrateful brat I am”
Bette shook her head “ She doesn’t learn does she ?”
“No – and I think Kate is getting fed up with her. Its their anniversary so I asked if they were going out tonight and she said she didn’t know because they were so busy. That is odd – mom always takes Kate to the most expensive and trendiest restaurant on their anniversary – for there not to be a table booked is odd – that tells me that they are having problems “
“Because of Emma’s attitude to you  – and to us of course “
Tina sighed “It was bearable before I met you again – she would always be questioning me about what had I done to get a job and why didn’t I let her improve my resume for me”
Bette managed to hide a smirk
“But when it got close to us meeting up -she just started to give me grief about how you should never go back”
“And seeing me was taking a step back into the past ?”
“Something like that “
“Someone once told me that when someone has such a strident problem with you – then it says more about them than you. So did Emma get dumped in a past life by an ex ?”
“I did wonder that to be honest – do you buy any of that  – that you shouldn’t date an ex “
Bette yawned “Not really sure. I can see that couples who keep breaking up and getting back together are just replaying the same old scene. it’s the Einstein quote which I know I have bored you with when we were at school  “
“Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results “ Tina said kissing Bette
“That’s the one “ Bette said grinning “ I can see that some couples are just trying to re-write a script that is too ingrained in their personalities. I would say that you and I are not like that “
“Why not ?”
“You think we are ?”
“No –  I just wonder if we are on the same wave length about why “
Bette pulled herself up so they were both more comfortable.
“We didn’t end because we had a row” she paused “ Yes I know we had more rows in that last couple of months but that was because of the situation. I felt that I was so close to being an adult but suddenly I wasn’t being allowed to make a decision that would change my life for the next four year – probably longer. But we didn’t argue – we didn’t stop loving you. If we had it wouldn’t have hurt so much but we did still love one another. I know now that people don’t break things off – there is no clean break because of all the emotions and all the feelings and love we had for each other. What happened to us was that we were bullied until we went to different colleges. I would have gone to Harvard with you if we had decided that we could make it work. I don’t blame you or me for our relationship ending – I blame Emma Kennard and I don’t think I will ever forgive her for hurting both of us so much “