Chapter 3

AT BETTES OVER DINNER

How did you do on that mid term today Shane? Bette asked.

Huh? Ummm. It was done. Bette shot Shane the look so she knew she had to come better than that. Ummm. I cant fail. Hey at least a C or B maybe.

Shane! Bette became agitated. I thought we had a deal. You promised to work harder if I treated you more like an adult than a kid. And so far you are not living up to your end of the bargain.

Sorry. Shane nonchalantly shrugged her shoulder her mouth half full and with a sheepish look. Then the look again. Ok ok. I will work harder. I promise. She pulled Dana with her and grabbed some tacos from the table, Come on Dana, before she has a cow.

Hey wait. Is there any reason for me to come and check up on you two?

With an evil grin Shane said, Trust me.

So, how did it go today? Alice asked after Shane and Dana left.

A bit better. At least shes talking to me now. I guess it will take her some time to warm up to me but well see.

A FEW WEEKS LATER

The past few weeks were very productive. The team worked very hard to make this project a success, although for very different reasons. Bette had to prove that she was worth the companys investment in her and Tina and Jess for more personal reasons. Soon enough they done and the only thing left to do was to bring it to Management. Management was very pleased and now the really hard work would start. Bette, in light of the events of the past few weeks and how hard and well everyone worked together, decided that she would show her appreciation by taking Jessica and Tina to dinner to celebrate. After making the necessary arrangements she went to Tinas cubicle, Hey, you have any plans later? I would like to take you and Jess to dinner tonight.

Ummm. no. Shock written all over her face.

No, you have no plans or no, youre rejecting me?

Tina smiled, No I have no plans and yes I would go with you and Jess.

Great. Be right back.

Jess, I am treating you and Tina to dinner. Just my way of saying job well done. You up for it?

Sure. No wait, my boyfriend is coming back today and I have to pick him up at the airport, but its not till 7:30.

Thats ok, we can have an early dinner its not problem.

Ok, its a date then.

Great.

DURING DINNER

Jessica looking at her watch, Damn, I m going to be late. I gotta get going. Thank you Bette for dinner and I am sorry I couldnt stay and chat more but

Ok then, enjoy your weekend. Tina winked.

Yeah be good. Bette said with a smirk on her face.

Cut it out. Jessica blushed.

So. Do you have anyone to go home to?

I got a kid. Her name is Shane. Well shes not my kid. My grandmother took her in when she was twelve and when she got sick I guess I made her part of my family.

How old is she?

Sixteen.

Wow.

Yeah. Wow. But you know, she is a good kid. She has been through so many foster parents and I just didnt think that another move would do her any good. So now I am responsible for the well being of a teenager. What about you? What about your family?

My mom and dad and my baby brother, Timmy. Hes four.

Four?

Yeah, for some reason after I was off to college they decided to have another kid. Tina looked down at her glass. Tell me something She looked up at Bette, How did you know about Amanda. I mean its not like we have files about employee relationships or anything.

I was going through the Patriot file and I saw that you and Amanda started the project and there were documentation and correspondence with her name on it and then I noticed that it stopped so I asked Jess about her. And she told me. I am sorry if I seemed nosy.

Its ok. You just surprised me thats all. So. Do you have a boyfriend?

Thats a personal question.

Well Im just making small talk.

Oh. Well no I dont have a boyfriend.

Come on. A beautiful woman like you? You must have hundreds of guys lining up for you.

Well as flattering as that may be, perhaps the reason I dont have a boyfriend is because I am in that line with the boys.

Huh?

Maybe I am pursuing the same women they are.

Oh. So youre *****.

Is that a problem for you?

No no not at all.

What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?

Nah. I mean havent met a guy I am sexually attracted to yet, and after Amanda Ive never well I am not really looking right now.

So Amanda was your lover?

Yeah. We were best friends since the first grade and I guess our relationship changed as we got older.

Were your parents ok with that? I mean do they know youre *****?

It never came up and I didnt mention it. But I dont even know if I am ***** or if its just Amanda. I mean since her I havent met another woman I want to be with, so Tina paused. She was lost in her own thoughts but snapped out quickly enough, So does your family know youre *****?

They do now. Bette smiled. The day I came out to parents was the day I moved in with my girlfriend at the time. When I met Sacha, I thought I was in love and she was the best thing that could happen to me. I mean I would have done anything for her, which I did. I was eighteen. It was my second year of college

Eighteen? And you were already in college? Tina interrupted.

Yeah. I started school a year earlier. Mom said I was bored being home. Anyway one day I decided to tell my parents about us. We didnt speak for months after that. But my grandmother was great. I think if it werent for her I doubt very much that my parents and I would ever speak again.

So are you still with Sacha?

No. We broke up a few months after. Then I met Alice in a writing class. We were what she called us best friends who had *****. Were still best friends, just without the *****.

Do you have anywhere to be right now? I mean I know a really nice bar a few blocks from here. May be we could get a drink or something.

Sounds nice, what is the name of this place?

Bar Girls.

Bar Girls? Isnt that a.?

Yeah. And one of my favourites too.

Bette motioned for the cheque and soon the women were on their way. A few minutes later they arrived at Bar Girls. It was a bar with a difference. There was a section of the bar where people get to express themselves through poetry, song, dance, art, whichever form they wish. There was also a dance floor the usual bar, pool table. But this bar was like a huge living. You didnt have the usual tables and chairs in the main area. There were beanbags, soft chairs and coffee tables.

Wow, this place is beautiful. Bette was lost looking around taking in everything.

Hey, theres a table over there.

Oh my gosh. I love the cosy feel here. How come I dont know this place? I must get Alice to feature this in her magazine. This is amazing.

Its not a really popular place. I guess not much people are into poetry and stuff but its nice. Quiet. And Amanda and I came by here purely by accident. Tina smiled as she remembered their first night here. I remember the first time we came here. We were looking for somewhere to go. Some place different. So we were driving and driving till we got lost a little. And then we stopped here to get directions back and we ended up spending hours here. Tina laughed, There was this one girl. All the gothic wear, the black lipstick, black dress, she even had the cat to go with it. And you would think that her poem would be on death or something, and then she started with butterflies and sun shining. We learnt a good lesson that night, if it looks like dog an barks like a dog it could very well be a cat.

The two women talked some more and surprisingly enjoyed each others company. The song Macarena began to play and Tina grabbed Bette by the hand on to the dance floor. Come on lets dance. Tina didnt wait for Bette to respond and soon enough they were both having a blast on the dance floor. But when One Sweet Day stared to play they decided to sit that one out. Bette excused herself and went to the bathroom while Tina ordered more drinks. When Bette got back, it was just about time for the Express yourself secession so they took a bit of that in before heading back to their table. They listened to music each other lost in their own thoughts. The Bette broke the silence.

Tina?

Yeah?

I admire your strength. I mean if I had lost someone so close to me I dont know how I would get through the day without them.

I am not as strong as you think. But I am getting there.

A song started to play. Dance of love by Dan Hill

The music plays so soft and sweet

I love this song. Bette exclaimed. Wanna dance?

My hands they shake when our lips meet

What?

All that I ask is that tonight

Would you like to dance with me?

We have this dance of love

Sure ok.

Your eyes, they shine like stars above
This is the night that I’ve been dreaming of
It’s your favourite song
Girl, can we hold on in this dance of love

Something comes over me when you are near
So close and yet so far
I could die here in your arms
As we hold on in this dance of love

The music plays, you’re all I see
I feel you breathing so close to me
Take my hand, tonight I’ll be your man
In this dance of love

The women swayed together. Bette taking in the essence of Tina and Tina enjoying the comforts of Bettes embrace.

Something comes over me I can’t explain
Girl, when I’m holding you

At this point unconsciously Bette held Tina tightly.

The world just slips away
As we hold on in this dance of love

And all I ask is that we have this dance
The music plays, we close our eyes
So soft, it flows into the night
You’re like a prayer
Nothing else compares in this dance of love
You know I want you, take my hand
And I will be your man in this dance of love

When the song was finished they stood there holding each other. After a few moments Tina broke the hold and rushed to the bathroom. Bettes first instinct was to follow her but instead she went back to the table and waited for her to return.