Chapter One: The Departed

A cascade of lilies surrounds the two friends as they search the clouds in the quiet yard.

“That one looks like a bus, Bette.” Tina said excitingly while tugging on Bette’s shirt as she points up to the sky. “Do you see it? Huh? Do you? Do you?”

“Yes, I see it Tina.” Bette smiles at the seven-year old girl in front of her who possessed the strength of a teenager. “You are so adorable, T. When you grow up, boys will be lining up to take you out on dates.”

Tina pulled her face as if she had encountered a dead fish on a hot summer’s day. “Eww, Bette. Boys are icky. I don’t like them.”

“Not now but you will in six or seven years.”

“But I don’t want to. Can’t I stay with you forever, Bette?”

Bette laughs at the tiny blonde’s request. “You’re seven. I’m eighteen. I’ll be too old for you, Tina. You won’t want to be with me then, believe me.”

Tina shakes her head to protest. “No. That’s not true! Mama is old but I love being with mama. I want to be with her forever.”

“That’s different, Tina. She’s family; she’s your mother. I’m not. I’m just your friendly neighbor, Spiderman.”

Tina didn’t smile at Bette’s attempt of a joke; instead she folds her arms across her chest and looks straight in the eyes of her neighbor, her babysitter, her mentor but most importantly her friend. “I only want you. Forever.”

Bette looks in tiny hazel eyes confused by the pure sincerity and depth of that statement. She then ponders for a minute; should she tell this precious girl that she was leaving for college or not. Bette released a quiet sigh before pulling Tina into her chest. “And you will have me forever.”

It’s indescribable the feelings that Bette has for her tiny friend. She wanted to protect the little girl, always, and she’s been doing that since she moved next to Tina’s three years ago. She internally chuckled at the thought of the day Tina Kennard ran into her life, literally. Though, that’s a story for another day. Right now, she needed to tell this girl that she’s leaving in two days.

Two days later, tiny droplets of tears race uncontrollably down virgin cheeks. She sobs quietly in her chest, her knees tucked beneath her chin while her arms encircled her legs. Tina’s been in that position for the last 45 minutes since Bette handed her a note before taking off in her father’s car, leaving the blonde forever Tina thought.

Bette called Tina everyday after she left, but the young blonde refused to speak to Bette every time. Then after a couple weeks of trying Bette stops calling permanently.