Coming up for air – part six

Tina was sitting in the shade in the perfectly kept garden that surrounded the house. Henry had a guy coming in twice a week to take care of all the gardening. It was in mint condition. There was nothing for Tina to do in this garden except to sit around – nothing to weed, prune or trim. It wasn’t her garden. It was nothing like the yard at the home she shared with Bette – no rosemary, sage or thyme. No wild flowers and definitely no weeds. She had brought a book with her but she couldn’t concentrate on reading, thoughts of the past invading her mind constantly.

Henry was in his office catching up on work. It was Saturday and Mikey’s mom had picked him up that morning, leaving the house quiet in his absence. Tina missed his constant movement and laughter, his energy and enthusiasm. All those things seemed to leave with Mikey when he went to his mother’s to spend the week. Tina threw the book on the table and went back into the house.
“Henry, I’m gonna go for a drive…” she said as she stepped into Henry’s office.
“Mmmmm,” he answered. She knew he wasn’t listening, completely absorbed in the task at hand.
She walked up beside him and put her hand on his shoulder to get his attention.
“Did you hear what I said, honey? I’m going to go for a drive… I’ll be back before dinner.”
“Where are you gonna go?” he said and looked up at Tina.
“I don’t know… I just need to get out for a while. I’ll be back before you know it,” she said and leaned in to give him a quick kiss goodbye.
“Ok, drive safely…”

Tina got in her Alfa Romeo. It still had that new car smell. Tina had never cared much for cars before. Bette was the one with the car fetish. The Saab was her pride and joy and she fussed over it like it was a baby. Tina had teased Bette endlessly about her excessive love for her toy. Now Tina had a toy of her own. She had bought it with part of the money from the division of property that followed the breakup with Bette.