Wow, Tina, you never told me you used to like country music.

Give me that! Tina reached over Bette to grab a picture out of her hand. Some things are better kept a secret.

This is too funny, though. Do you still have this shirt? In the photo, Tina had a cowboy hat on accompanied by a black t-shirt with Garth Brooks head on the front.

No, Bette, I dont. You need to let me edit the photos before you see them.

Thats no fun.

Tina and Bette were laying next to each other on the couch, Tina squished on the inside, Bette on the outside, leafing through a box of photographs.

Its embarrassing.

Its cute. Youre cute.

Dont try to win me over with your sweet talk persuasion.

You caught me.

Bette leaned over and kissed Tina, slowly.

Youre doing it again.

What? Bette held back a smile.

Means of persuasion.

Did it work?

Ok, you can see the embarrassing pictures, but you have to promise not to laugh. And keep it just between us.

Do we need to shake on that?

Its always formalities with you. Tina laughed, then leaned in and kissed Bette.

Was that considered an informal handshake?

Thats my way of binding our agreement.

Any other terms of agreement we should get out of the way?

Only if youre lucky.

I could say the same. Bette smiled at Tina and grabbed another pile of pictures along with one of the heart cookies. Cookie?

Yes, thanks.

These pictures here, how old were you?

Tina looked through a handful, smiling. I was in high school there.

Such a baby. You have a young face, Tina. It hasnt changed much.

Its changed enough. Lots of things change in ten years.

And some things stay the same. I wish Id known you then.

I wasnt ready for you then.

All things have a time and a place, huh?

Exactly. Look, heres some of my baby pictures.

You were fat! Bette laughed and handed a picture to Tina.

Thank God some things change.

You were wicked cute, adorable. What happened? Bette teased Tina and poked her in the side, tickling her.

Very funny. Just wait til we look at your pictures. Ill show no mercy, you have my word on that.

Do we need to shake on that?

There you go again… formalities.

I was actually hoping for the more… informal handshake.

Sly, Bette, very sly. Tina sat up to lean over Bette and place another soft kiss on her lips.

Simple and sweet.

The cookies?

No, I meant – Tina kissed Bette again, longer this time.

Is that what you meant?

Howd you know? Bette had another handful of pictures. What are these?

College years. It looks like sophomore year. Look at the back, the date should be there.

Who is this?

That was my room mate that year before I moved out of the dorms. Adison was her name, but everyone called her Addie for short.

Shes very pretty. Bette looked over the picture. Adison had long straight red hair, pulled back.

We played soccer together on a recreational team in the spring and winter.

Didnt it snow in Ohio in the winter?

Smart *****. Yes, it snowed, but we played indoor.

I never knew you played soccer.

I think it was you who said we learn something new about each other every day, right?

Just in this night alone I think Ive learned enough to last a year.

I like it that way.

Me too. Bette grabbed Tinas hand and squeezed it, snuggling a little closer to her as best she could on the small couch. She looked at the picture again and flipped it over. There was a poem written on the back.

Whats this?

Whats what?

It looks like a poem written on the back of this picture of Addie. I never knew you wrote poetry. Youre good.

A way to express myself. Dont do it as often as I used to. Let me see that picture.

Bette read it to Tina, Bulldoze down the streets
of D.C.
and remember that night
you woke up –
brown eyes and arm
draped
across my thin-skinned hip
your morning breath
releasing me.

Now, your eyes scold me
but you hold my voice
in the palm of your hand.
I wink at a star and
it twinkles back –
how I wonder how you are.


She looked at Tina with raised eyebrows, questioning. Tina snatched the picture away from Bette and read over the poem silently.

Friends, huh?

We were friends, Bette. I forgot I even wrote this. I dont even know why I wrote this.

Its pretty obvious, isnt it?

It may seem obvious, but its not for me, ok? Life is very confusing lately.

Im sorry, Tina. I know things are all mixed up right now.

You have no idea.

I want to know. I am here for you, dont do it alone.

I know. But put the picture away. Some memories dont need to be analyzed yet.

Ok, can we go back to where we just were… in our own little world?

Anytime, Bette, with you, anytime.