Bette let a sigh escaped her lips when she saw the last man walking out the conference room. She was tired and not in the mood for work. All she could think about was Tina. Taking the paper sheets in one hand, grabbing her cell with the other she left the room, walking towards her office. Passing by James desk she saw the big vanilla envelope with her name on it.

Whats this? she asked James who was on the phone.

Placing his hand over the phone, James nodded,

Tina Kennard left it for you he nonchalantly whispered.

What?, when? asked Bette, looking around, unable to low her voice tone.

Noticing the look on her bosss face, James made up an excuse hanging up the phone.

You were in the meeting, she said she just wanted to leave this for you he said, looking at Bette who was holding the envelope like if a bomb was inside.

Okdont pass me any calls she said, walking towards her office, closing the door behind her.

Sitting on the couch Bette left the envelope on the coffee table. She looked at it for a couple of minutes, caressing Tinas handwriting. Sighing, leaning back on the couch she took the envelope and carefully she opened it. Looking inside she turned it down so the photographs fell on her lap.

Carefully, holding her breath, she started looking at them. They were not the ones she saw before, the ones she saw that morning, what it looked like ages ago. These were, Bette could tell, perfect for what the board was looking for the article. In these there was Bette the professional, Bette in charge of the situation, Bette in her element. She saw each one of them carefully, hoping to find one of the others, of the ones she saw in Tinas darkroom. These ones were very good but didnt say anything about the real Bette. Bette wanted to see the ones where she recognized the real Bette, the Bette she didnt let anyone to know, to move closer or even love. Watching these new ones Bette realized how deep, how much Tina knew about her, how much Tina saw, how much she discovered about the real Bette.

Closing her eyes, hugging the pictures, Bette rested her head on the wall, hoping for Tinas call, hoping for her gesture to have an answer.

***

Tina, watching the card, rereading it, waited for the cells tone to have an answer. She was going to hang up when the answer machine showed up. Not knowing what to say, feeling silly, she listened and then, after sighing deeply she said, unaware of being whispering,

Bette.. II love the plantII dont know what to sayII think we need to talkI will call you when Im back, ok?…I.thanks. she finished, shaking her head, feeling her trembling hand holding the cell.

Feeling stupid for her lame words, seeing Bettes business card she decided to try calling the CAC. Dialling she thought about what her words could be, what she really wanted to say to Bette.

CAC, Good afternoon James voice said.

James, its Tina Kennard, Could I talk with Bette? She asked, noticing how her hands were sweating.

Tina hi, am sorry but she is still in a meeting, would you like to leave a message? He said, looking at Bettes closed door.

No is okjust tell her I called, thanks she answered, suddenly feeling very tired.

Hanging up, Tina shook her head, hating the confused feeling that was filling her body. Walking back to the living room, seeing the English Holly staring at her, she said,

Lets go

Mario stood up, looking at her, not sure how to approach the subject.

You ok? He asked, taking the bags.

Yeah Tina nodded, taking her camera bag, tightly holding her cell in her right hand.


***

Thinking about Tina, Bette suddenly realized that her cell was still in mute mode since she put it that way during the meeting. Looking around she didnt see it so standing up she walked back to James desk, finding the cell there.

Peggy called, and Tina too nonchalantly said James, handing Bette some papers.

When? Why didnt you tell me? She asked, finding difficult to hide her anxiousness.

Just a few minutes ago, you said you didnt want any calls James answered, defending himself.

Ok, next time Tina call, pass it ok? Bette words harsh, surprising James.

Sure he nodded a bit confused.

Cursing timing and fate, Bette closed the door behind her. Taking her desk phone, she dialled Tinas house number, as she knew it by memory. Waiting for answer she turned her cell on. A beep told her there was a lost call as well as a message. Hanging up her desk phone she concentrated on her cell. Dialling she reached its answer machine, checking on the messages.

Listening Tinas words Bette felt her body shivering, a smile growing on her face just by the sound of Tinas voice, but then, realizing the meaning of the message she cursed again.
Looking at the cell she thought for a minute what to do. And ,as she was going to call Tina, knowing that maybe it wasnt what she wanted but needing to hear her voce again, the cell told Bette that a text message just arrived. Opening, Bette read,

You are right about English Hollies and firehow you knew that? …. so many questionsscary answerswill call you

A smile was plastered on Bettes face as she read the message over and over again. She remembered, shyly blushing, the moment Tina left the CAC the first day they met, how she went on line to google English Hollies wanting to know everything about them, wanting to know how or why Tina knew about that plant that till that day it has seemed so indifferent to her.

Sighing, with a silly smiled glued to her face, Bette leaned on her chair, closing her eyes.


***

Waiting in line to jump on the plane, Mario said,

So an English Holly, eh?

Yeah nodded Tina, not looking at her friend.

Nice, very original gift he whispered, handing the ticket to the stewardess.

Yes it is nodded Tina, noticing the cute stewardess smiling at her.

Realizing for the first time the possible meaning of that smile, Tina blushed, drawing a bigger smile on the stewardess face.