CHAPTER 3: YOU KNOW ME BETTER

The tension was tangible. At the exact moment the silence would have become awkward, two different ringtunes filled the air. Both women felt like they were being pulled out of a surreal world, forced to go back to the real one.

Bette was somehow glad, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know what Tina had meant. She didn’t want to get her hopes dashed. It was excruciating, this must have been the first time they didn’t understand each other. Or did she refuse to understand? It was hard being in love with Tina and pining away as Tina lived a happy, heterosexual life. It would be even harder being in love with Tina, knowing her feelings were reciprocated, but still not being able to be together because Tina was married. Bette was sure Tina wouldn’t leave Eric. She had married him and if one thing, Tina was a very committed person. A promise had always been a promise. Why would that change now?

The interference was also a relief to Tina, in a way. She had seen the look on Bette’s face, that very intense look of sudden hope, the kind of hope you can’t live without. What if she couldn’t give Bette what she wanted? She wasn’t sure how a confession would change things.

They smiled apologetically at each other and Tina grabbed her phone. Bette had left hers in the kitchen and went to fetch it. They could almost feel the separation physically.

Tina hadn’t bothered to look at the caller ID. She immediately recognised the worried, slightly shaking voice and didn’t know whether to smile or groan.

“Babe – where are you? Are you?” he panicked.

“I’m at Bette’s,” Tina said quietly. She hoped Eric would have the sense not to complain about their close friendship, not now. He hardly ever did as he had grown used it, but he could still have this moments and he happened to have them when they were least wanted.

“Did she… you know… I mean, from the letter it seemed like she…” Eric couldn’t seem to say the words. She heard him swallow and her expression softened. Maybe she was too harsh on him sometimes.