“Fated” – Chapter Five – By Querida

When Bette arrived home, Tina was already there, and the house smelled heavenly.  She went to the kitchen and took Tina in her arms, and Tina hugged her hard;  but she sensed something not quite right.

“T?  What? Is it something about the job?”

“Yes.  I got a phone call today and…”  She lay her head on Bette’s shoulder.  Bette lifted Tina’s chin. 

“What is it, T? Tell me.  Did the offer fall through?”

Tina’s eyes were filled with tears.  “No, no, the job’s okay, it’s just that it’s not here in LA…it’s in New York, at least for the first six months..”

Bette felt as though she had received a blow.  “New York?”

“Yeah.  Listen, Bette, I won’t take it.  I don’t want to leave you.”

Bette couldn’t believe the words she was about to say.  “T, you have to take it.  It’s your big chance.”

“I know, but…”  Tina stroked Bette’s hair.  “No, I want to be with you, Bette.  I’ve only just found you, I’ve never been in love before, not like this…”

Bette took her face in her hands.  “T, you know what will happen if you don’t accept this offer?  If you stay here with me, much as I want you to?  You will resent it.  You will end up hating me. And this love we have will be destroyed.  I don’t want that to happen.”

“I can’t bear not seeing you for months and months.  I love you, Bette…”

“It won’t be months and months, T.  I’ll fly out there at least once a month.  I love you too, I don’t want you to forget about me!”

“As if I ever could.”  She clung to Bette with all her strength.

“Now,” Bette said cheerfully, although she wanted to howl in pain, “What’s that you’re cooking for dinner?” 

“Omygod!  I hope it isn’t ruined..”  She quickly opened the oven.  “No, it’s perfect.  Are you hungry?  I bought wine too…”

“Wonderful,” Bette forced herself to be enthusiastic, although she felt like drinking the whole bottle to dull the pain she was feeling.

They sat down and ate the delicious dinner Tina had slaved over for the last several hours.  Bette was determined not to break down and beg Tina to stay in LA.  Casually she asked,  “When do you have to leave, T?”

Tina’s eyes filled with tears.  “I have a flight tomorrow at 7 a.m.  But I think I’ll cancel, Bette.”

“No, you won’t.  I’ll take you to the airport.  And I have a present for you, T.  I know you don’t like me to give you gifts, but this you have to accept.”  She reached for her bag and handed Tina a small parcel.

Tina tore off the paper.  “A cell phone!”

“Yeah, and a year’s unlimited prepaid usage.  You have no excuse not to call me every night now!” Typical of Bette, it was the most expensive cell phone she could find.

“Thanks, Bette.  I was planning to get one with my first salary cheque.  I will call you every night without fail.  Maybe more.”

“And now that I know your number, I’ll be doing some calling too.” She reached over and took Tina’s hand.  “It will be okay, baby.  Six months is not a lifetime, and we will be seeing each other every month, if not more..”

They finished the wine and went to bed early.  Bette set the alarm carefully.  She wanted to hold Tina and never let go, and here she was making sure Tina would be thousands of miles away.

Putting Tina on that plane was the hardest thing Bette had ever done. She drove home from the airport feeling as though the bottom had dropped out of her life.  She made up her mind to use the time to renew her friendships, which she had been neglecting, and to spend more time at the Gallery, which she had also been neglecting.

Tina, flying East, sobbed quietly to herself.  In vain she told herself Bette was right, that this was her big chance, that her career was the most important thing in her life.  But she knew in her heart that it was not.  The most important thing was that tall gorgeous brunette who had just kissed her goodbye in LA.