Where were you? Tina sneered. With Candace?

Bette stepped into the house, set down her keys and turned on the light, illuminating Tina sitting at the table with her arms folded. Clothes, Tinas clothes, lay piled around her on the table and an open suitcase sat next to her on the floor.

Tina, we need to talk. Bette said pulling out a chair across from Tina.

You were just with her, right now, werent you? Tinas voice rose to a shaky
near-shout.

Yes Bette said flatly, yes, we were talking. Nothing happened. Bette leaned forward with her arms resting on the table, Tina, this is not about her. Its me youre mad at. I hurt you. I realize that. Im truly sorry and should have told you when

What the *****, Bette! Tina burst out. What are you doing? Are you going to just leave me for her? Seven years and thats just it? I mean how long has this been going on?

Im sorry, Im sorry. When you told me you didnt want a biracial child Bette pleaded.

Youve been sleeping with Candace all that time? Tina jumped up. She swept a pile of jeans off the table with her arm in one quick motion and then grabbed a shirt and threw it at Bette.

The shirt fluttered to the floor as Bette pushed back her chair, wincing as if a heavier object might be next.

No, Tina, of course not. Im trying to tell you this has nothing to do with her. Its me. I cant be in this relationship anymore. Bette paced back and forth and continued, Its been weighing on me since that argument. Maybe you dont even realize who I am that you could hurt me so much. I mean, how am I supposed to trust you? How do I know if Im just too much otherness for you?

They were both still and looked directly into each others eyes across the table for a silent eternity before Tina spoke.

Bette, I dont even know what youre talking about. I cant believe what youre saying. Her voice dropped into a shrill whine of desperation. I thought I was coming here today to tell you I was going to leave and that you would beg me to stay. Now youre telling me youve been unhappy all this time?

You knew that, Tina. Around the time you bought that tank. You knew.

***** this, Bette, Im leaving. You are not going to blame this on me. You cheated, Bette. Tina moved to the door as if in a daze, Ill come back for my clothes when youre at work. I cant even stand to see you right now.

***

So you made it! Kit half shouted over the low buzz of the jazz club crowd. She set down her glass of soda and gave Bette a big hug. Im about to go on next, but you know Candace is over there.

*****, really? Shes here? I cant deal with that right now. Bette peered over in the direction Kit had motioned and saw Candace leaning back on a plush bench between Mikala and another woman who was thin, stylish and very attractive.

What? I thought that would be a good thing. Kit said looking confused.

I saw Tina today and it was ugly, Bette said focusing back on her sister. I started saying everything I should have said months ago, when it might have mattered or helped the situation. But, now I think Ive probably made it worse for her. I think its over. Then tossing another glance back in Candaces direction And that just feels too raw right now for me to even think about Candace.

Well you can come back stage with me and watch from back there if you want. Kit offered.

Maybe in a minute, Bette said, seeming a little distracted by the vision of Candace leaning close to the stylish woman at her side. Kit shook her head, gave Bette a quick kiss on the cheek then gathered up her purse and started for the back of the club.

Candace was wearing a crisp, sleeveless black shirt that hugged her body and accentuated the strength in her arms. Her hair was out and it fell over her shoulders as she leaned in close to this woman Bette didnt know. The woman spoke in Candaces ear. Bette felt the heat of jealousy rush to her face as the woman, clad in a low cut shirt that revealed her ***** as she leaned in towards Candace, took a handful of Candaces hair between her fingers. Suddenly, they were laughing, and Candace tossed her hair over her shoulder seductively.

Shaking with unexpected emotion, Bette turned swiftly to head backstage. She hoped Kit would understand her need to say a quick goodbye and not force her to make some explanation for it. Bettes heart literally raced as she pushed her way through the throngs of people who were gathering more tightly around the stage in anticipation of the performance set to start.

Bette…

A tingle went through Bettes arm as she felt Candaces warm hand reach from behind and stop Bette in her tracks.

Where are you going? Kit is about to come onstage, Candace said with a flush of delight at the feel of Bettes smooth skin beneath her fingers.

Im going backstage to tell Kit Im leaving, Bette said with an icy chill. Her scorching eyes deflated Candaces assured smile. What are you doing here, Candace?

Im a long time Kit Porter fan? Candace put forth timidly, as if she knew the joke was ill-timed half way through saying it. Then the sides of her mouth dropped as she looked deep into Bettes eyes and half whispered despite the buzz of the crowd. And I guess I hoped you would be here.

Then who was that you were talking to? Bette blurted out despite her attempt to remain calm.

Mikala? Candace answered looking back to the seat she had just vacated, Oh, Solange? Shes my hairdresser. She hasnt seen me in ages. Candaces voice perked up with recognition. Oh my god, you were jealous. Bette, shes straight. Believe me, because Mikala has tried going there.

Her eyes wide with embarrassment, Bette stammered, I saw her touch your hair I just I thought Her posture dropped its defensiveness took on a look of almost defeat.

She was saying she had never seen me wearing it down in public before. Candace laughed and then put her arms around Bette, pulled her close and whispered in her ear, Ive been wearing it down every time I hope Im going to see you because I know you like it. She moved to kiss Bette, but Bette pulled away and shot her eyes around the club nervously.

Stop it, she gasped and grabbed Candaces hand and pulled her through the door leading backstage just as the announcer introduced Kit.

Go on back, Ms. Porter, the surly stagehand who had worked this club forever said to them. He waved his hand toward a closet sized room littered with half empty drinks, old used makeup and Kits purse and jacket amongst the many others.

Bette pulled Candace into the tiny stale room and closed the door behind her, dimming the music, the murmur of people and cocktail glasses, everything but the loud beating of Bettes heart caught in her throat.

Candace reached for Bettes pants, undoing button and zipper, and sliding her hand inside before Bette could even register what was happening. Bette let out a moan of pure release before grabbing Candace and pushing her back against a clothing rack filled with jackets.

No, goddamn it, Bette gasped as she pried Candaces hands out of her half unzipped pants. You dont know how much I ***** want you. She said breathlessly, Damn it, I need you, Candace, I need the taste of you in my mouth.

Bette kissed her with a rough hunger that pushed Candace ever further back against a stiff leather motorcycle jacket that creased and rubbed, emitting the soft smell of leather and the raw sound of sexual need.

Candace acquiesced as Bettes hands ran over her arms and up under her shirt. She grabbed onto the cold metal of the clothes rack on one side and a long coat on the other as the force of Bettes kisses threw her off balance.

Bette pulled her hands out from under the Candaces tight shirt, knelt down and fumbled with the snap of Candaces pants. Peeling back Candaces tight jeans, Bette tugged the pants down to Candaces ankles in a series of rough jolts.

Candace leaned back against the coats, moaning with anticipation as she loosened her grip on the coat next to her and slid her hand down the neck of Bettes blouse. She traced her fingers along the ridges of the top of Bettes spine.

Slowly, Bette leaned in and for a brief moment rested her cheek against the soft white triangle of Candaces panties. Her hands wrapped around Candaces calves and inched their way up Candaces legs. Bette caressed Candaces thighs, then arched back her head and looked up at Candace whose eyes were closed and hair was splayed out and tangled against the leather coat.

Bette slipped her hands into the leg openings of Candaces underwear and breathed deeply as she pulled them to one side. Her fingers stroked back from the curled hair to the wet dampness and forward again from dampness to curls. She cupped her mouth over Candace and felt Candaces whole body go taught in response. Muffled applause from outside the dressing room before Candaces moans drowned it out.

Not even feeling the scratches Candaces fingers laced onto the back of her neck, Bette filled her mouth with the taste of Candace until finally the moans and the squeak of the leather reached a crescendo, then gently slowed. Candace pulled Bette up to face her. They held each other close and started to kiss more softly now until they were startled back to the world by a timid knock from the door not more than a foot away.

Um, Im really not trying to bother you all, but I kind of need to get my purse. Kit called out weakly from the other side.

Candace giggled as Bette hurried to wipe her mouth and pull back Candaces clothes. The door slowly opened just as the two were stepping back from the coat rack.

Well, Kit laughed with a good natured wink at her sister, Im glad my song got you two inspired.