“Where are you going?”

“It’s time we face things don’t you think?”

“What do you mean?”

In a way, the last question implied confusion which relieved the pain Bette felt modestly.  However it also amplified the difference in their perspectives that appeared beyond repair.  A melancholy without hope won out and the darkness in her heart swept throughout and beyond. 

“Are you fucking with me Tina?”

“Bette, stop it” the fair skinned woman reprimanded.  “What the hell are you talking about?”

There was fire in both sets of eyes borne of discontent, anger, misunderstanding and antipathy.  How had it come this far?  After all the love.  After all this time.

“Why did you come back?  Why are you with me?” 

A deep crease of bewilderment marked her brow and the delicate skin surrounding dark eyes.  Bette again asked quietly, “Why?”

“What…?”  Tina’s own face wrinkled unpleasantly.  The frustration at how quickly things escalated was voiced in the question that was meant to serve as a response.

“Was it pity?”  Bette shook her head in disbelief.  It was almost like she was talking to herself in an attempt to explain. “Because my father died?  Or was it simply because it was the easiest option because of how things were?”

Bette took a few steps to an English toffee dresser she purchased for them last year, collecting in a single motion all contents of the second drawer.  The delicate softness of the material that brushed her chin was lost on the brunette who was brimming with tension.  She stood upright, her back was stiff as a rod while she shoved her clothing into the small leather bag with purpose.

“I suppose it was better than being by yourself right?”  Replaying words from dinner, it seemed the only reason she returned.

Tina felt undone.  This heated reaction was something she had witnessed in the past but tonight surprised her nonetheless.  It had been dormant for quite some time now. 

“Bette calm down,” she tried.  “You’re not making any sense.”

“Calm down?”  The dark haired female smiled without any trace of joy.  Her voice resounded as she accused herself, “If anything I’ve been too calm…for far too long.”

She stared at Tina.  With eyes that were alive and anxious, her jaw was set firmly as she looked directly at the hazel ones that returned a perusal of their own.