Chapter Two

As soon as Tina left the house she phoned Shane.

‘Hey Tina.  What’s up?’

‘I was wondering if you could help me in the morning?  I need to pick up some things.’

‘Sure.  What time?’

‘How about 10:00?’

‘Works for me, Tina?’

‘Yeah?’

‘Are you sure about this?’

‘It isn’t what you think Shane.  I’ll explain when I see you all right?’

‘Of course, ten it is.’

‘Good night Shane and thanks.’

‘Any time.’

* * * * *

The next morning, before her meeting, Bette called Alice.

‘Bette, she isn’t here.’

‘Alice I’m calling you.’

‘Why?’

‘Did you talk to Tina last night?’

‘No, she was asleep when I got in and she was gone when I got up.  Why?’

‘We had dinner last night.’

‘That’s good, right?’

‘Yes.’

‘Sooo?’

‘We decided to try to get through this together, as friends and see where it takes us.’

‘You don’t sound too sure.’

‘It isn’t that.  I’m just not sure how to do that.  I’m afraid I’ll mess up, again.’

‘Just follow Tina’s lead and don’t push.  I don’t think she can take any pressure from you right now.’

‘I’m meeting her at the house at 1:00.  We’re going to work in her garden.’

‘You mean you’re going to watch Tina work in her garden.’

‘No, that’s the deal we work together.’

‘That I’d pay to see.’

‘Funny Alice, real funny.’

‘Just relax Bette.  At least this is a start.’

* * * * *

Shane picked Tina up right on time.

‘Where to?’

‘The nursery.’

‘Explain please.’

Tina told Shane all about her talk with Bette as they drove to the nursery.

‘You didn’t just tell me that Bette Porter is going to help you in the garden?’

‘She must want to see me pretty bad!’

‘Seriously T, are you sure about this?’

‘It’s the only way I know to get us through this.  I don’t know how we will end up but we can’t leave things like this.  I need her Shane, even if we only end up as friends.’

‘I don’t see Bette settling for that.  She loves you T.  I know she made a huge mistake, but she loves you.’

‘I know.  I love her but I’m not sure that’s going to be enough.  I have to get past all this hurt before I can even begin to think of a future with Bette.’

‘You must think it’s possible or you wouldn’t be doing this.’

‘This didn’t happen to us overnight and it isn’t all Bette’s fault.  I, we, need to figure out what got us here.’

* * * * *

After the meeting Bette stopped at Tina’s favorite little sandwich shop and picked up lunch.  On her way back to her car she noticed a flower shop.  She fought the urge to bring Tina flowers.  She reminded herself she was going to see her friend, not her wife.  The drive home seemed endless.  Her emotions ran the gamut from nervous to excited and back again.  And then she saw Shane’s truck in the drive.  She hadn’t seen Shane and wasn’t sure what kind of reaction Shane was likely to have over her betrayal of Tina.  Shane had always been very protective when it came to Tina.

As she entered the kitchen Shane and Tina were coming in from the back yard.

‘Hey Shane.’

‘Bette.’

‘Would you like to stay for lunch?  There’s plenty.’

‘No thanks, I’ll just leave you two to your gardening.’

Tina thanked Shane for her help.

Shane hugged her and said, ‘any time.’

Shane walked over to Bette and put her arms around her.  Tina could see the tears in Bette’s eyes.  Shane whispered, ‘just be patient and honest with her and things will be all right.’

Before Bette could regain her composure Shane was gone.

‘You know she loves you.  Don’t you?  They all do.  You cut yourself off from them and they don’t understand.’

‘How could I expect them to be there after what I did?’

‘That’s what friends do.  They stand by you.’

Tina stepped closer to Bette and wiped the tears from her cheeks.  Letting her fingertips linger just a moment longer than necessary.

‘Now, what did you bring for lunch?  You’re going to need your strength; we have lots of work to do.’