Chapter 26 – Body and Soul

Tina awoke early Saturday morning. Grabbing a quick shower, she was out the door before the sun had even made an appearance. Tina had to know. She was on her way to the Farmers Market to meet this artist. The market opened at 6AM and she was going to be there waiting.
Tina had all but talked herself into believing that she had let her mind run away with her thoughts by the time her arrived at work Friday morning. There is no way that this could be Bette. What was she thinking even coming up with that idea in the first place? Wasnt she the one that told Alice that she would have gone crazy if she hadnt started to move on with her life and here she is having these crazy thoughts.
Walking into her office, there sat the painting propped up against the wall. The impact the painting had provided yesterday was no less today. Tina gasped again. This is truly amazing, the close intimate feeling of loved shared. Tina walked right up to it and started to examine every inch. The fact that this painting was really good was lost on Tina as she was willing for the painting to give her the answer she desperately was looking for. Did Bette paint you? Was she capable of showing this depth of emotion? If anything seeing the painting again just confirmed that she needed to find the artist.
When Carol arrived at work, Tina practically jump her with questions about the artist. Carol did you meet the artist? Who was it? Tina asked quickly.
Carol: Yes I guess, I didnt ask. She was this woman, nice enough, pleasant and warm.
Tina: Did you get her name?
Carol: No
Tina: Well, whatd she looked like then, was she a great dresserwhat?
Carol was feeling the heat now: Huh, I guess, she was wearing shorts and a T you know a baseball cap. I guess thats a good dresser.
Now Tina was just exasperated: Oh, never mind thanks for picking up my painting.
With that Tina went back to her office. That morning Tina got very little work done as she found her eyes drawn to the painting time and time again.

Tina arrived at the Farmers market and quickly parked. She practically ran to the spot where the paintings had been hung on Thursday. Nothing. There was no one in the space. Did the artist not show on Saturdays? Tina was really getting frustrated now but her stubborn streak was kicking in. Im going to get coffee and just wait, I dont care if I have to wait all day. And with that Tina started her vigilance over the booth space pacing back and forth in the 10 x 10 confines.

By 8:30 Tina was beginning to think she really was crazy. No artist and many of the booths were filling up with their vendors. Tina feeling silly was going to get one more cup of coffee, spying a part bench about 50 feet away and was going to take a load off.

As Tina was getting her coffee, Bette and Jason had arrived. Jason had pulled his truck as close to the booth space as he could so they didnt have as far to carry all their stuff. Bette got busy putting together her frame to hang her pictures and get everything organized. Tina was sitting on the bench when she spotted the truck and the activity of unloading. Tina recognized Jason immediately but couldnt get a good look at the woman. The woman had her back to Tina. She was tall and thin, dressed in sweatpants with a hoody on. Would Bette ever be caught in public with sweatpants on? Tina was asking herself as the woman turned around. The woman had a huge smile on her face as she was joking with her companion.
Tina recognized Bette immediately. But this was a different Bette, she was freer more carefree in her movements. Tina was drawn to her smile again. This was the kind of genuine smile that lights up the wearers entire face. The kind of smile that makes strangers say hello in the grocery store because they think youre somehow familiar. This smile changed Bettes entire appearance, softening the once sharp lines of her face. The closer Tina got she could see that this softness extended to Bettes eyes. Her eyes had a glint of something. It struck Tina like a blow, the realization that she looked happy, really happy. All the feeling of hurt and betrayal washed over Tina as she watched Bette. She must have moved on. In Tinas ears she could hear her heart pumping. Time was moving slowly as she now realized that Bette was looking at her. When there eyes met, Tina realized I am still in love with her. Slowly Tina began to move towards Bette. As Tina watch, Bette seemed to change, it was almost like a dark cloud was descending over Bette. In a matter of moments Bette was turning into a freighted animal looking for a place to run. Her eyes started darting around and finally looking down. Tina was now only a few feet away.

Tina wanted to ask Bette a million questions. Questions like:
Am I a stranger to you now?
Dont you love me anymore?
Why do you pull away from me now?
Have you learned to live your life without me?
When did our fire burn out?
When did the feeling go for you?
Did our love slip away while I wasnt looking?
None of these questions are the questions she was thinking of even just moments before this encounter but now they were burning in Tinas soul. Yes, body and soul, Bette still had a hold of her BODY and SOUL. As fast as these emotions were coming for Tina, the override feeling was that she somehow needed to be protective over Bette. Tina knew just by looking by Bette that if she began her onslaught of questions now, Bette would be the innocent being led to slaughter. Just by looking at her, Tina could tell that Bette was obviously not prepared to talk to her.
Bette, you look great. Tina started, she had to at least ask: Could we talk?
Tina watched as Bette struggled and finally just nodded her head. Tina could feel Bette pulling away and didnt want to push her.
Bette, will you call me?
Bettes eyes were shining with unshed tears as she now looked up and nodded her head.
That was enough for Tina at this moment and with that she smiled at Bette and turned and walked away.