Oh no Bette… Dont!

Staring at her in surprise I saw her reach out, urging me to sit… She took control over the situation in no time.

*Wow….*

Tina:

Following Bette into her office I couldnt help admiring the way she walked… the way her hips moved.

*Stop it!*

 When she turned around, I quickly brought my eyes back up to meet hers, and that was when I noticed. All muscles in her body seemed tensed and in her eyes… It felt as if she placed a blockade in between us. It felt like my eyes met a brick wall instead of her soul and momentarily I knew what she was doing… She was hardening herself… Trying to fight against the connection she felt between us. Maybe she didnt think she knew me well enough to bother me with her troubles. But I so wanted her to open up to me again!

I was surprised to hear the sternness in my own voice:

Oh no Bette… Dont!

Urging her to sit down on the couch I took a chair and placed it opposite to her sitting on it, leaning towards her and putting my hand on her knee… I felt her shiver and tense up the moment I did and looked her straight in the eye. I knew I had to do something to let her open up to me again and instinctively I knew I had to keep up the sternness in my voice when I continued:

Dont be afraid of me Bette.. I would never hurt you… You know that dont you?

Dont close up like that… please? Tell me whats wrong… Im not sure whether or not I am able to fix it for you but I sure as hell am a good listener

Bette:

I cracked right then and there… it felt like all the tears that I had bottled up for years were trying to make their way out of my eyes…

*Come on Porter, get a grip!*

But I couldnt… And I looked up to Tina, but the look in her eyes wasnt judgemental… She just stood up and took her set besides me on the couch, putting her arms around me.