Chapter 4

Ten minutes had past and Bette was becoming nervous. As she was about to check up on Tina, Tina exited the bathroom.

Are you ok?

Yeah Im ok. Im just tired.

We could go if you want.

Yeah I think we should go. They walked out in silence. Bette saw Tina to her car, they said their good nights and went home. Both women didnt know what to make of the events that occurred that night. They didnt think that they could have such a wonderful time let alone end up in each others arms dancing. Bette tried her best to make sense of her feelings for Tina. I didnt even know I had feelings for her. I mean she is beautiful, shes intelligent a great person when you get to know her. Maybe its the alcohol or the ambience of the bar. It has to be. It wont work between us were just too different.

Tina turned the music in her car up in an effort to drown her thoughts of tonight but that proved futile. What am I doing? I dont even like her that much. But the way she held me. Its too much. Am I falling for her? I cant be. I had too much to drink it had to be that. I mean it wont work between us were just too different.

When Bette got home she was surprised to find Shane still awake. Hey what you doing home? I thought you were spending the night at Danas?

Yeah I was, but we had a fight. All of a sudden she doesnt want me meddling in her life.

Why what happened.

I am trying to get her to go to that tennis camp this summer, and I know she wants to go. Bette she is good. But her parents have other plans for her. Anyway the short version is that I more or less forced her into standing up to them and she is blaming me for the fight she had with them.

Im sorry. But you and Dana will work this out. You always do.

Which is why I am not too bothered by it. How was your dinner party anyway? You must have had a great time walking in here at 4:30 in the morning.

I did actually. Bette sighed.

Whats that about?

What?

That sigh.

Something happened tonight between me and Tina and I am not sure what to make of it. Jess had to leave early so it was juts Tina and I for the most of it.

Shane looked at her watch again to make sure that she was seeing the time correctly. Wow, for someone who you couldnt get along with you you sure spent a lot of time with her tonight.

Shane?

Ok ok.. Go on.

We had a great time. I mean I did at least and then she invited me to a bar. Hey I must take you there. I think you will like it. Anyway and I thought that she was having a good time too, I mean why else would she invite me for drinks, right? I mean we could have just gone home after dinner. Then we danced. And the moment was perfect and maybe I came on too strong I dunno but she bolted.

Whoa. Still have that effect on the ladies huh?

Shane?

Alright alright Im sorry. Please Shane motioned for her to continue.

Hummm the thing is I dont know whats going on. When I walked her to her car I wanted to kiss her and I am not sure what I should do? Should I apologise to her for tonight because I am not totally sorry for what happened. But then what if she doesnt feel the same, or worse what if she does? What do we do then? If it does not work out how will working with her be after that? Gosh the scary thing is that it never bothered me before whether things worked out in my relationships or if anyone got hurt.

Bette? Shane interrupted, The way I see it is, take the chance, either it does not work out or you end up spending the rest of your life with her. At least you wont be wondering what if. Well do you think she might like you like that?

Come on, this is Tina were talking about. She barely tolerated me in the beginning. But tonight.

You worry too much, youre gonna get old you know. Ask her out it cant kill you.

Bette sighed, Maybe I would. She paused, Yeah I will ask her out. But Ill wait to see how she acts around me on Monday.

Shane hugged Bette, What would you do without me?

Bette smiled, Im going to bed.

Well good night, I know who youll be dreaming about tonight Shane winked at her.

Good night Shane.

AT TINAS SATURDAY MORNING

Tina finally woke up, got changed and headed to the kitchen. Hi mom.

Look who finally graced us this what time is it?

Its almost twelve.

You got in late last night? I thought you were just going out for dinner?

Yeah but we went for drinks after. Jess had to leave early though. Mark came back last night.

Tina remembered how the night ended and her mother noticed that she was far in thought. Sweetie?

Yeah?

You ok? You seem preoccupied?

Nah Im ok. Just tired I guess. You need help with anything?

Its ok honey. Ive got it under control. You go relax.

Sure? Her mother nodded yes. Ok, well Im going to watch tv then.

Tina surfed through channels thrice over and decided to play instead. She flipped through her games, Fifa, tennis, Resident. She yelled to her mom, Mom have you seen my Tomb Raider? I had it here yesterday.

Um, Timmy had it this morning. Your dad must have moved it.

Ok. She stuck the Resident Evil in the Playstation and after fifteen minutes of playing and not being successful at finishing a level she threw the control in frustration. This is ridiculous. She rubbed her head, God. What is wrong with me? I gotta get out of here.

Soon enough she was changed and headed out the door, Mom I will be back in an hour or so ok.

Alright sweetie, be careful.

I will mom.

On her way out she picked some flowers from the garden and within minutes she was at the cemetery. Although Amanda was gone whenever something bothered Tina, she would still come to the one person who understood her better than anyone. When she got to the grave she placed the flowers near the stone and sat with her back leaning on it. She sat in silence for a while. She was going through the events of the past weeks from the moment Bette Porter walked into her life. Then she remembered the times she spent with Amanda making love to each other and the late night conversations they had. A single tear escaped her eye but she quickly wiped it away. She pulled a blade of grass and played with it between her fingers. I went to dinner last night. With Bette. She started to say. The Patriot is finally going into production. You will be happy to hear that. Thats why we went out. She took Jess and me to dinner. But Jess left early so it was just the two of us. And then we went to Bar Girls afterward. And I had a great time with her. We danced. I dont know. I mean I didnt even like Bette when we first met. Maybe its spending all that time with her working on the game or maybe it was just last night. But you know she isnt half bad. When you get to know her. She really tries to be a friend rather than just a boss. Shes smart, and she cares. Shes beautiful. And when she smiles, its like. And when we danced and she held me. There was a period of silence, still twirling the blade of grass she let out a long sigh then Tina finally admitted, Mandy, I think I am falling in love with Bette and it scares me.