“First love ?”

Bette nodded “ I idolised her – we had a great time and our parents were so cool about accepting us. We even slept together with their approval “

“At 17 –  that is lucky”

“Tina has two moms so they weren’t going to be upset by their daughter being gay. We mainly stayed at their place but we did stay with my parents as well. We loved each  other and our relationship really and truly worked”

“So why didn’t you go to the same college ?”

“Her mom – the alpha head of a law firm colluded with my dad and we were bullied and pressurised into going our separate ways”

“Do you think that with hind-sight they were right ?”

Bette looked at Meghan “ I really don’t know. “

“Have you seen her again ? Has that fuelled some flames ?”

“On the last night we spent together I suggested that we make a date to see one another once we had both graduated. The first day of August at noon – Central Station New York – the year we both graduated “

Meghan knew she was tired but that date sounded familiar. She looked at her phone – time often took on a different meaning when she was working long shifts at the hospital.

She looked at Bette

“Shit “

Bette grinned “ That would be it “

“Would you like some vodka in that juice ?”

“Nice idea but I need to keep a clear head – that’s why I went for a longer than usual run this morning – this is a big day “

“Do you know how you feel about her ?”

Bette shook her head “ I know  there has been no one who has come close to filling the hole in my heart”

“If it was just that you would be raring to see her again. Actually if you were sure of your feelings – well you wouldn’t have waited until today to see her “

Their breakfasts arrived and they both started to eat – hungry for their own reasons. After several mouthfuls of eggs and bacon Bette put her fork down and picked up her coffee

“The thing is “ Bette said “As you keep saying to me – I am 23. When I was 17 I thought I wanted to spend my life with her. I couldn’t imagine loving or wanting anyone more than her. I really went to Yale thinking that I would spend 4 years running and studying and not dating”