Previously in Chapter 6

Tina: Im so lucky to have you.
Tina murmurs quietly, breathy, and sexily after they ***** simultaneously.
Bette purrs against her neck, kissing her softly. They touch and stroke each other gently, realizing that this is the way they both want it to be. Wrapped in a warm, lazy, fuzzy haze of smiling contentment, they both hug each other, and drift off into a deep contented sleep.
_____________________________________________

A week later at Bettes house

Bette looks over at Tina in the tangle of bed sheets. She is beautiful. One arm stretches over her head, her face turns to the side. Her light tangle of hair lies across the pillow, her mouth parts slightly. The top of the sheet pulls over her ***** and the bottom revealing her smooth legs. Lightly Bette brushes her fingertips over Tina’s shoulder, Tina moves a little, her leg brushing against Bette’s. Bette smiles and presses her mouth to Tinas neck. A small sigh escapes Tina and she turns her face toward Bette.

Bette: Wake up baby.
Bette coaxes, nudging Tina’s shoulder. Tina pulls the covers over her head in silent protest.
Bette: Baby, we are meeting my daddy at 6.30, remember?
Tina pushes back her hair from her face and looked into Bettes eyes.
Tina: What time is it now?
Bette: 5 minutes to 5. I dont us to be late.
Tina: Okay babe, I’m awake.
Tina says groggily, sitting up.
Tina: Ill be ready in a minute.
Bette gently kisses Tina on her lips. She leaves the room while Tina gets ready.

At 6.15 pm, Bette and Tina reach the restaurant. Melvin is already sitting at a table.
Bette: Baby, thats my daddy sitting there.
Bette points towards Melvins direction, who is back facing them.
Bette: Ill talk to daddy first, okay?
Tina: Sure babe.
Bette heads towards Melvins table. Tina walks to a nearby table.

Bette: Daddy!
Bette smiles at Melvin.
Melvin: Oh! Its so good to see you.
Melvin says as he stands up. He and Bette hugs, excited to see each other.
Melvin: Come, sit.
Melvin pulls a chair for Bette.
Bette: Thank you, daddy.
Melvin and Bette sit down. The waiter comes to the table.
Waiter: Hi, can I start anyone off with a drink this evening?
Melvin: Bette?
Bette: Um, I think Ill have a bottle of Pellegrino.
Melvin: A Manhattan please.
Waiter: (nods) I’ll get those right away, and I’ll be back to take your order in a few minutes.
Melvin: Thank you.
The waiter leaves the table.
Bette: Um… dad, tell me you are staying for long this time.
Melvin smiles a little, then looks serious.
Melvin: Johns mother called me last week. What is happening between you and John, my girl?
Bette looks down.
Melvin: I thought both of you are getting married. Now, tell me what is going on.
Bette hesitates a while.
Bette: Daddy, its me. I Im in love with somebody else.
Melvin looks surprised.
Melvin: Somebody else? I thought both of you are inseparable.
Bette: It was love at first sight and I dont think I can live without her now.
Melvin: Her? What do you mean by her?
Bette looks over to Tina at the next table. They exchange glances.
Bette: Im in love with another, and shes a woman.
Melvin is shocked. He tries to keep his cool.
Melvin: Well then, who is she?
Bette: Daddy, actually shes here too. Ill bring her over.
Bette stands up and heads towards Tinas table.
Bette: Baby, daddy wants to meet you.
Tina: Bette, I dont think I feel comfortable about this.
Bette: Its okay, baby. We’ll go through this together.
Bette holds onto Tinas hand and leads her to her table.

Bette: Daddy, this is Tina Kennard. Tina, this is my father, Melvin.
Tina smiles and extends her hand for a handshake.
Tina: Nice to meet you, Melvin.
Melvin is still seated. He takes a quick look at Tina from head to toe.
Melvin: Take a seat please.
Tina withdraws her hand quickly. She seems embarrass.
Melvin: So Miss Kennard, I heard you have a unique friendship with my daughter.
Tina looks nervous. She smiles awkwardly.
Tina: Bette and I we love each other.
Bette and Tina hold hand and smile at each other.
Melvin: I dont understand.
Melvin frowns. He folds his arms.
Melvin: You mean the kind of love between a man and a woman? This is absurd.
Bette: Daddy!
Melvin: Sorry, Im not familiar with the proper response to this.
Bette and Tina aren’t sure what to say to him.
Melvin: Pardon me for being frank, Miss Kennard. I do not like your relationship with Bette.
Bette and Tina exchange hurt looks.
Melvin: (to Bette) As long as I shall live, I do not approve this relationship.
Bette: Daddy!
Bette looks crushed. She looks at Tina. Tina seems distant.

The waiter comes to the table and sets the drinks down.
Waiter: Would anyone like to start?
Bette: (irritated) Could you give us a minute, please?
Waiter: Of course.
The waiter walks away.
Tina: (getting up) Im sorry. I dont feel so well.
Bette: (getting up) Do you have to go to the bathroom?
Tina: No, I think Im just gonna go home.
Bette: Well then, Ill take you.
Tina: No. Stay.
Tina turns to Melvin.
Tina: It was really nice seeing you, Melvin.
Melvin: Im sorry that youre not feeling well.
Tina gives a weak smile and head towards the door.

Bette: Tina!
Bette chases after Tina and stops her at the exit.
Bette: Baby, can we talk later?
Tina: Bette, I dont want you to fall out with your father because of me.
Bette: Baby, he will understand and accept us one day. We will go through this together, okay?
Tina looks down.
Bette: Please baby. We can fix this together.
Tina: I dont know, Bette. I really dont know. I see you again, okay?
Tina walks out of the door. Bette helplessly watches her leave.

Few hours later, Bette arrives at Tinas doorstep.
Bette: Tina?
Bette shouts as she presses the doorbell and knocks on the door. There is no response. Bette sits down on the front steps, elbows prop on her jean-clad thighs, and head supported on her hands, staring glumly down the street. She tries to call Tina on her mobile but her calls are directed to the voice mail. Bette signs as she shifts her position to stare down the other side of the street.
She does not know how long she has waited before a cab pulls into the driveway. Tina gets off the cab and walks towards her.

Bette: (standing up) Baby, where did you go? Ive been calling you and
Tina: We have to talk.
Tina cuts in. A long silence greets her ominous words, and she waits for Bettes reaction. Bette shuts her mouth with a snap and looks at Tina in surprise. Tina sounds so serious, and she is wearing her serious face.
Bette: Sure, baby.
Bette says, feeling nervous.
Tina: I think we should take a break.
Tina says in a rush, pushing her blonde hair off her face. She looks so cool and unaffected when she says the words. They sounded rehearsed, in fact.
Bette: What?
Bette shakes her head and her face turns ashen.
Bette: Why? Is it because of what my dad has said earlier?
Tina: We’re heading toward a very serious relationship here, and I’m just not ready for that.
Bette is shaken.
Bette: But Tina, what about.
Tina: (cuts in again) Ive made my decision. We need to give each other more time to think through all these.
Bette: But we have already gone through so much to come this far. We broke off with our boyfriends to be together.
Bette reminds Tina in an anguished voice.
Tina: I know, and you are the first woman I ever loved, but I don’t want to look back with regret in a few years and wonder how it would have been with someone else.
Bette: You mean, you want to go back to a man?
Tina turns away.
Tina: I think you should go now.

Numb, Bette jumps into her car and backs down the driveway as Tina hurries inside the house and slams the door.
Tina: Sorry Bette. I need to do this.
Tina says to herself as she sinks down onto the floor and cries.


TBC