Chapter 46  Only the Beginning

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A month later

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Tina’s living room, night: Tina hangs up the phone, looking thoughtful.

Bette walks in and frowns.

Bette – Are you OK?

Tina – Yeah …

Bette – Why are you staring into space?

Tina – My mom … just before saying goodbye … she told me matter-of-factly that they might be coming here this summer.

The brunette looks worried.

Bette – I guess I should plan a strategic trip then?

The blonde is still absorbed in her thoughts.

Tina – Huh …? No … quite the opposite!

Bette – What do you mean?

Tina – Don’t you see it? She would never visit if she were not ready to take a step toward accepting you in my life.

Bette – Really?!

Tina nods with a smile.

Tina – I think so …

Bette’s face relaxes into a grin.

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Months later

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Bette’s bedroom, morning: Bette walks in carrying a breakfast tray and frowns at the sight of the empty bed. Soon after, Tina comes out of the bathroom and looks surprised.

Bette – Morning …

She smiles.

Tina – Morning … what is this?

Bette – Breakfast. Sit there.

The blonde walks over to the bed with a smile and sits down.

Tina – Why did you wake up so early today?

The brunette places the tray on her lap. She picks a red rose from the tray and kisses it, handing it to the blonde.

Bette – Today is the one-year anniversary of the first time I ever laid eyes on you …

She brushes her lips against Tina’s and sits down by her side.

Bette – My eyes went into shock … and haven’t recovered since.

The producer grins.

Tina – Wow … my romantic girlfriend strikes again!

Bette – I just realized a couple of days ago that today was the date of the opening.

Tina brings the rose to her nose, smelling its scent.

Tina – Thank you, baby!

She looks at the tray and chuckles.

Tina – This is amazing! And you did this for me at 8 am on a Sunday?!

Bette – Well … your favorite waffle … from the Planet. I asked Marina for help.

The blonde sends her a teasing look.  

Bette smirks.

Bette – You didn’t expect me to make it, did you?

Chapter 45  The Gang

Previously:

Mrs. K. – What did we do wrong?

Tears stream down her face.

Tina – Mom, you didn’t do anything wrong. There is nothing wrong!

Her eyes well up with tears.

Mrs. K. – How can you say that? This is wrong, Tina! How could you do this? We raised you to do the right thing …

————

Mrs. K. – She is a sinner, honey! And she has seduced you into her sinful lifestyle!

Tina – Not according to our interpretation of God, Mom!

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Bette’s backyard, night: Bette and Tina are in a lounge chair after dinner. The blonde is resting between the brunette’s legs and leaning on her chest, holding a beer bottle.  

Tina – And I told her that I just wanted her to accept the fact that I have the right to choose whom I love.

She takes a sip of her beer.

The gallery owner looks thoughtful while caressing her arm. 

Bette – I hate to be a point of contention between you and your mom.

Tina sighs.

Tina – Well … if not you … someone else …

The brunette frowns.

Bette – You mean … that if you hadn’t met me … you would fall for another woman?

The producer raises her eyebrows with a half-smile on her face.

Tina – Oops …

Bette pouts.

Bette – Oops …?

Tina chuckles and turns around with a teasing smile.

Tina – You are …

She caresses the brunette’s face.

Tina – … the only one …

She lands a light kiss on Bette’s chin

Tina – … that I could ever fall in love with.

She gives the brunette a soft kiss on the lips.

Tina – I was just making a point that it is not you, but what you represent.

The gallery owner’s pout fades into a relaxed smile.

Bette – Better than oops … You are not allowed to have anyone else.

The blonde’s face turns serious and she caresses the brunette’s lips with her index finger.

Tina – I love you, baby!

The brunette smiles warmly.

Bette – I love you too, Tee!

The two women gaze into each other’s eyes and fall into a gentle kiss.  

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A week later

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Bette’s backyard, morning: Bette is having breakfast and reading the newspaper when Tina comes in and sits by her side with a smile on her face.  

Chapter 44  Thanksgiving

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A month later

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Tina’s bedroom, early morning: The shower is running and Bette is alone in bed, still sleeping when the phone rings … once … twice.  She covers her face with her pillow. The phone continues to ring. 

Bette – Why isn’t the answering machine picking it up?

She answers the phone, still lying down.

Bette – Hello?

Tina’s mom frowns.

Mrs. Kennard – Tina?!

Bette’s eyes widen and she sits up straight in bed.

Bette – Uh …

She places a hand on her forehead.

Bette – Tina is in the shower … Do you want to leave a message?

Mrs. Kennard – Who is this?

Bette – Uh …

She raises the pitch of her voice.

Bette – … the help … I’m the help!

Mrs. Kennard – The help?

The brunette winces.

Bette – I do the cleaning …

Mrs. Kennard – Oh … I didn’t know that Tina had hired someone.

Bette shakes her head in frustration.

Mrs. Kennard – Could you please ask Tina to call her mom? Nothing serious, but we have played phone tag lately.

Bette – OK.

Mrs. Kennard – Thank you … your name is?

Bette – Uh … Alice!

Mrs. Kennard – Thank you, Alice! Have a good day!

Bette – Thank you, ma’am!

She hangs up and shouts.

Bette – Fuuuck! You are not at home, you fucking idiot!

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The Kennard’s living room, mid-morning: Mrs. Kennard hangs up still frowning and looking thoughtful when her husband walks in.

Mr. K. – Did you talk to her?

Mrs. K. – No …

Mr. K. – Whom were you talking to?

Mrs. K. – Did you know … that Tina hired a maid?

Mr. K. – No. Why?

Mrs. K. – Because she has. I just talked to her … Alice.

She remains pensive.

Mrs. K. – But I … I could swear that I heard her before. She sounded so familiar.

Mr. Kennard looks curious.

Mr. K. – How familiar?

Mrs. K. – I don’t know. It just felt like déjà vu when she said hello. She reminds me of someone. Don’t you hate when this happens?

Mr. K. – Where was Tina?

Mrs. K. – In the shower.

Mr. Kennard raises his eyebrow.

Mr. K. – Well … she will call later.

He walks away.

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Tina’s bedroom, early morning: Tina comes out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel while Bette is still sitting in bed looking frustrated.  

Chapter 42  Mi Casa, Su Casa

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Days later

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Tina’s office, morning: Tina is at her desk gazing at the Janet Crow picture on the wall and looking pensive. She makes a phone call.  

Tina – Hey …What are you doing for lunch today?

The scene switches to Bette’s office.

Bette – I’ll probably ask James to order a salad.

Tina – Hmm …

Bette – Do you have a better idea?

Tina – Why don’t you come over and have lunch with me instead?

The brunette looks surprised.

Bette – You mean … to your office?

Tina – Uh-huh … It’s about time you see your present on my wall.

Bette grins.

Bette – Wow … I’d love to see it!

Tina – Then show up at twelve! I’ll give your name to security.

Bette – I’ll be there!

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Tina’s office, midday: Bette comes in accompanied by a lady and stops near Kathy’s desk, outside Tina’s office.

Lady – It’s this office, Miss Porter. Kathy will take good care of you.

Bette – Thank you!

The lady leaves.

The brunette makes her way to Kathy.

Bette – Hi, I have an appointment with Tina Kennard.

Kathy – Oh, Bette Porter, right?

Bette – Yes.

Kathy – I recognized your voice, Miss Porter. I’m Kathy, Tina’s executive assistant.

Bette – Oh … hi, Kathy! The voice at the other end of the line!

The assistant nods smiling.

Kathy – Just a second, Miss Porter.

She makes a phone call.

Kathy – Tina … Miss Porter is here to see you. (pause) OK.

She turns to Bette.

Kathy – She will be here in a second.

Bette – Thanks!

Kathy – I saw your gallery on TV this past weekend, Miss Porter … a very exciting exhibit.

Bette – Oh yes …you should come and see! It will be open to the public for four weeks.

Kathy – I probably will!

Tina opens the door and smiles warmly.

Tina – Hi!

Bette – Hi!

They kiss on the cheek.

The producer makes an inviting gesture.

Tina – Come in!

Kathy – Tina, I’ll be leaving shortly, but they will deliver the food in the next ten minutes.

Tina – Thank you, Kathy!

She follows her girlfriend into the office and closes the door.

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Tina’s office, midday: Bette is looking at the picture on the wall when Tina closes the door.

Tina – I can’t stop gazing at it.

Chapter 40  Midnight Moon

Bette’s house, late night: Bette comes home and notices that music is playing on the stereo and the glass door to the backyard is open. She walks outside and sees Tina, eyes closed, wearing a red bikini and lying on a floating mattress in the middle of the pool, holding an empty glass of champagne.

Bette – Personal delivery for you, Ma’am!

She shows the earring in her hand.

The blonde opens her eyes and smiles.

Tina – Months too late … but it will do.

The gallery owner grins.

Bette – What is this … midnight tanning?

Tina – It’s been so hot … and I thought that I might get the hot delivery girl to join me.

The brunette looks at the bottle of champagne inside an ice container on the pool table.

Bette – It seems that someone stole a bottle of champagne from the opening …

Tina – I convinced James that it was for a good cause. Sparkling and cold, directly to your fridge …

Bette chuckles.

Bette – Apparently the good cause has already started.

Her girlfriend winks and lifts her glass.

Tina – Come enjoy it with me …

Bette – I would love that!

Tina – Then strip!

A sly smile appears on the brunette’s face.

Tina – OK … your bikini is also acceptable.

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Bette’s backyard, late night: Bette comes in from the house wearing a black bikini while Tina pours champagne in two glasses. She raises her glass.

Tina – Cheers! To you … to your gallery … and your amazing exhibit! I couldn’t be prouder, baby!

The gallery owner raises hers with a grin.

Bette – Thank you, Tee! Cheers!

The blonde’s eyes travel down her girlfriend’s body.

Tina – And to your bikini …

The brunette smirks.

Bette – How many glasses have you had so far?

Tina smiles and gives her a slow kiss on the lips.

Tina – Just a few … This is a very small glass.

The brunette chuckles.

Bette – If you say so …

She gives the blonde a quick kiss.

Bette – Let’s go to the pool.

She jumps in the pool head first while her girlfriend watches and comes to the surface in the middle of the pool.

Bette – Coming?

Tina smirks.

Tina – Definitely coming …