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Tina’s Side
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"How are you holding up?" I asked my mom.
 
"Good." My mom simply said.
 
I went silent for a moment, I want to ask her about the conversation she had with Bette.
 
"Mom," I started. "Kim told me that she saw you talking to Bette on dad’s funeral."
 
"Yes, we talked for a while." My mom said.
 
"Kim said she saw Bette crying." I hesitantly said. "Why is she crying?"
 
Mom cleared her throat and it was obvious that she was surprised to learn that I’m aware that Bette cried in front of her. "She’s just sorry about your dad."
 
"And she cried?" I asked mom.
 
I have a hard time imagining Bette crying in front of my mother. What would they be talking about that she has to cry in front of mom? My father?
 
"Yeah, she’s pretty upset that she didn’t have the opportunity to at least see him when he’s still alive." Mom said.
 
"Are you the one who told her that dad passed away?" I inquired. "I certainly did not call her."
 
"Yes." My mom simply answered.
 
"So the two of you are constantly talking?" I asked again, wondering why would they be talking at all.
 
"I wouldn’t say constant but we do talk occassionaly." Mom said.
 
"About what?" I said. I am in awe to find out that they are having this ‘occassional talks’.
 
"Tina," My mom said as she stood up from the chair she’s sitting. "Why are you asking me these questions? Bette and I often talk on the phone, end of story." My mom saidd as she left me in the kitchen with my mind processing the information that I have just gathered. My mom and Bette are talking frequently to each other without my knowledge.
 
"Is there something I need to know?" I thought to myself as I headed towards my bedroom.
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Bette’s Side
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How could I be so foolish?! How could I believe that Tina’s mom like me? Of course she didn’t! She’s just being a supportive mom, she just likes me because she has too but given the opportunity to help ‘improve’ her daughter’s life, she will grab that opprotunity. But how could she do this? She knows me too well and she knows that I love her daughter so much. How could she do this?
 
A week has passed and I am still upset at what Tina’s mom did. Getting Tina back would be much harder because I don’t have Tina’s mom to defend me.
 
I could certainly just head up to where Tina is but what would I say? The truth? Would she even believe me?
 
I tried calling and sending her emails but all of that was unnoticed. Should I just wait for her to miss me? Or for her to realize that she still loves me and can’t live her life without me? But what if that time never comes? I can’t let that happen. But what can I do?
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Tina’s Side
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"Mom?" I started. "Do you like Bette?"
 
"Of course I do, she’s been your bestfriend for the longest time." Mom answered.
 
"I know." I took a deep breathe. "But do you like her FOR me?"
 
"I wouldn’t want anyone who would cheat on my daughter." My said.
 
"But if she didn’t cheat on me, do you think she’s good enough for me?" I asked again.
 
"Tina," Mom said as she put the book she’s reading. "Bette left you for Julie and the worst part is she did this when you needed her the most."
 
Julie?? How did she know that name? I don’t remember telling anybody who’s the girl Bette left me for. Did Bette told mom her name? Why?
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Bette’s Side
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"How are you?" Julie asked.
 
"Fine." I simply said.
 
"So you and Tina are still not back together." Julie started and I just shrugged my shoulders. "You know you should not give up that easy if you’re really in love with her."
 
"Who says I’m giving up?" I said. "I’m not giving up."
 
"What exactly are you doing?" Julie asked.
 
"The same. Letters, emails, calls and sometimes flowers." I answered.
 
"And those things are not working." Julie stated. "Bette, I am not a romantic person and I am certainly not good at giving love advice but–" Julie stopped when she saw me frown. "Hey," Julie started. "I’m not saying that what you’ve been doing is wrong or that you should stop what you’re doing." Julie continued. "All I’m saying is that you have to prepare for the time when she decides to finally talk or reconcile with you."
 
"What do you mean?" I asked Julie.
 
"Well she obviously knows how sorry you are and how much you miss her and love her." Julie started. "But don’t you think she already heard enough of those?"
 
I just nodded and waited for Julie to continue.
 
"Do something that will make her believe how sorry you are, how much you miss her and how much you love her." Julie said.
 
"Like what?" I inquired.
 
"I don’t know.." Julie said as she started to think of something. "Do you smoke?"
 
"Not really. On occassions." I answered.
 
"Well things like that." Julie said. "If you’re a chain smoker try to change that. I bet she’ll appreciate those things rather than you saying sorry to her a million times already."
 
"But how will she know that I’m still trying? I want her to know that I’m still trying." I said.
 
"I didn’t told you to stop whatever it is that you’re already doing. Keep writing to her her, calling her and sending her flowers but do something other than the conventional thing one is supposed to do when asking for forgiveness." Julie stated.
 
"You know, I might as well do that." I said as another round of hope wash over me. "Instead of dwelling on when she’s coming back I might as well prepare for the time she decides to come back."
 
"That’s the attitude Bette" Julie cheered.
 
I left the office with a smile on my face. Just the thought of Tina and I being together again makes me happy.
 
I am hopeful once again.
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Tina’s Side
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"Did I told you the girl’s name that Bette left me with?" I asked my sister, Kim.
 
"Oh no. Are we talking about Bette again?" Kim said as she rolled her eyes. "For someone who doesn’t want to talk about Bette sure talks a lot about her."
 
"I don’t think I ever told anyone her name." I said dismissing my sister’s comment.
 
"Why are we talking about this?" Kim asked.
 
"I don’t think I ever told you. Did I?" I asked again.
 
"No, you didn’t." Kim finally answered.
 
"But how come mom knows her name? Did Bette told mom?" I asked almost as if to myself but I started talking aloud.
 
"Tina we’ve been through this before." Kim said. "And you have two options of finding this out." Kim said as she looked at me. "Ask mom or.." Kim paused as she smiled at me. "..call Bette."
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