Kirsten’s full name was Kirsten van der Geest…she had a native name but Bette didn’t catch that part. The coffee in front of her was nice and hot, just the way Bette liked it, boiling but pilable. She lifted it in her creamed up hands and took a sip, her mouth came out a little frothy from the steamed milk and whipped white fluff. Kirsten chuckled a bit, then reaching over with her hand she wiped that part away from Bette’s lip, gently. Bette felt her stomach make a huge lurch, halfway between butterflies and sickness. It was flattering to be the center of this woman’s attentions. Kirsten was wearing black shorts, which showed off her fabulous legs, a loose white blouse with short sleeves, and this time her hair was out. The dark brown hair accented her green eyes nicely, her skin was not dark…but not white either…more like a latte with lots of milk. She was lighter than Bette. They were talking about the politics of natives, what they should really be called….their own names. “you see….in Canada they call us First Nations and let me tell you why….’first’ because we’re the first people to live on this land, like ten thousand years..and ‘nations’ because they’re are many of us….we’re not ‘one’ people…we’re many, i mean i have no idea about coast salish culture..it’s all different, we all speak different languages…..but you know it’s such a huge subject…too tiring, tell me what you like to be seen as”   Bette smiled, “…umm…a human being? obviously that but you know, a mix, half african-america half caucasian, as politically correct as can be”   “bet you don’t say that when you’re around your sister right?”   “no i don’t, around Kit we say mulatto but in any other context that words offensive”   “exactly, like on the Rez, everyone says Indian to each other thats the way we were raised, but if a white person ever said Indian to me we gonna have some problems see”   They had this kind of conversation for about an hour and a half. Bantering back and forth…Kirsten finding ways to touch Bette and Bette trying to convince herself this was friendship, it should be friendship. She must have gotten old, in her day a little more courtship went on….Bette smiled inwardly. But it didn’t quite feel right when romance was added to the mix…it didn’t feel quite right cuz Bette was simply not ready. A break in the talk lef tBette and Kirsten finishing up their coffees, which were now lukewarm. Bette wiped her mouth with her napkin this time, she started to get up but Kirsten reached over and touched her hand, Bette sat back down. “Bette……can i see you again?”   She knew what her answer was going to be, but still Bette didn’t know what Kirsten saw in her, what was so great about Bette….thought Bette. Kirsten was young…well….13 years younger to be exact….38, she was stunning……what Bette didn’t realize was that Bette was stunning herself. The only thing was that she looked so tired all the time and her hair was always up to hide it’s limpness, she was a bit skinny and had a slouch. Bette didn’t understand…normally, namely when she was younger she would have been hot and bothered. No matter……tina, remember Tina. Bette couldn’t forget Tina if she tried. Bette wasn’t stupid. It was just dumb to stay faithful to a dead person. But time, everything takes time. Without time we are all animals….we’re animals anyway. “Kirsten, why? i mean i understand but your’e pretty and young….why..me you know, not trying to flatter myself but…”     “I’m attracted to you Bette”   Woa…direct she is. Bette smiled a little, she shift her legs. “ok…that’s ok i mean , no problem, the only things is….well”   Kirsten leaned forward and grinned that grin of hers, “what is it? What’s the problem”    “my partner of twenty three years passed away from cancer a few months back  and…..im not trying to be a hermit but, it’s a little soon…”  A look of utter disbelief was on Kirsten’s face, then her eyes welled up…”jesus Bette i’m so sorry….truly”  Bette nodded, be strong…..be strong. “yeah i know, it’s tough, life goes on…but im getting used to it you know, adjusting, living life…just a little tender that’s all”   Kirsten touched Bette’s hand, the contact was gentle…reassuring…”Bette she must have been wonderful, i can tell just by seeing how much you miss her…death is tough to deal with, trust me i know…and you’ll get through with flying colours, you and Angelica”  Bette could have kissed her, she felt filled to the brim with gratitude. “and Bette….if you want, i can be there when you want, as a friend….for now as a friend, only if you want, later, as a friend, more if you want…less if you want….you hold all the cards…and noone will ever replace her, you hold her memory in your own heart”   Bette had a flashback at this, that phrase was what she told Tina, all those years ago. She knew how the other must have felt, what they must have let give up the chase. Bette nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Kirsten was touching her hand but Bette took it in her hand, with both hands. “that’s what i want Kirsten, thank you”  Kirsten again grinned that grin of hers and flipped back her sheening dark brown hair…”call me later sometime….i want to get to know you better and better, there is so much to talk about”. Bette got up, intending to foot the bill, “i will, i will”.  The pain in her stomach came again, for Tina…the love of her life. But the pain wasn’t so bad this time, it didn’t make her want to throw up.  Sometimes the kindness other people are capable of is mindblowing.