Chapter 18

SUNDAY MORNING

Sorry, cant come to the phone right now, but leave a name, a number and brief message and well get back to you.

Dana, please call me when you can. Shane and Dana fought before, usually about trivial things and then would make amends within minutes, but she has never seen Dana this hurt before and what made it worse is that Shane was the reason Dana was hurt.

A few minutes later Shane tried calling Dana again. Sorry, cant come to the phone right now, but leave a name, a number and brief message and well get back to you.

Dana, please, we need to talk about this. Call me when you can.

Shane tried again, Sorry, cant come to the phone right now, but leave a name, a number and brief message and well get back to you.

Come on, I wont call again. Please call me.

She tried again. Shane was very frustrated at this point and on the verge of losing it. She knew Dana was home, because she knew her well enough to be certain of that. But Dana was not picking up her telephone. When she dialled she got the voice mail yet again. Sorry, cant come to the phone right now, but leave a name, a number and brief message and well get back to you.
Dana I know youre there. No response. Come on Dana pick up the phone. Please? Still no response. ***** Dana, pick up th

Cant you take a hint. I dont want to deal with you right now. You hurt me Shane and I dont know if there is any coming back from this.

Dana please. Im sorry.

Im sorry too. And Dana hung up before Shane could say anything else.

Shane hung up and threw the cordless, *****!

Tina who was coming in from the kitchen was in time to duck from the flying telephone. Shane?

WHAT! Tina was startled and she flinched a bit. Shane noticed and calmed herself. Sorry.

Is everything ok?

No.

Tina tried comforting Shane by hugging her, Itll be ok.

I dont think it will.

Give her time.

How much time? She is really mad. Its never been like this before. If I give her time there is a possibility we may never speak again.

Well do you want to go over there? I can take you if you like?

Yeah?

Sure. You wanna go now?

Yeah.

They left Bette a note and headed out to Danas. When they got to the driveway, Tina switched off the car. Ill wait here.

Shane sighed, Here goes. As she opened the door She smiled and shook her head, I dont know why Im so nervous. Its just Dana.

Tina just smiled, But you love more than anything so its understandable.

Shane walked to the door slowly and hesitated a bit before knocking on the door. She looked back at Tina who waved go ahead. She rang the bell and waited for Dana to answer. Dana opened the door. Shane? Go away.

We have to talk about this. Sorry but youre gonna have to call the cops because Im not going anywhere.

Dana knew she was fighting a losing battle, Shane can be very unyielding and stubborn when shes made her mind up about something so she reluctantly stepped back from the door to let Shane in. Shane walked past Dana. Dana noticing Tinas car parked waved and smiled at Tina. Tina in turn did the same and watched as the two entered the house and closed the door.

Shane stood for a few moments before saying, Im sorry.

Sorry for what Shane? That I was not good enough you had to sleep with Melissa and Ashley too?

It was not like that Dana.

Then what was it?

I dont know. I cant there is no excuse for what I did. I never meant to hurt you.

Dana became really quiet. She looked at Shane with tears in her eyes. She knew that Shane was not completely at fault here. Dana did well in their friendship to hide her true feelings for Shane. Shane was oblivious to the fact that Dana secretly had a crush on her. And Dana knew that Shane would never do anything to hurt her. Especially if she knew how she really felt. Shane took Dana in her arms. At first Dana resisted but Shane kept her grip and Dana eventually submitted. I am so sorry I hurt you. I love you so much, you know that?

I know you do. And I know you wouldnt hurt me on purpose.

Yeah well I shouldnt have. Whether unintentionally or otherwise.

I love you.

Shane pulled away to look Dana in the eyes, So does that mean Im forgiven? Are we ok?

Dana sighed, Yeah.

Sure?

Sure.

So you wanna do something? You could come with me.

Give me a few minutes let me change.

Cool. A few minutes later Dana came down and she and Shane headed for the car. When they got in the car Tina, realising that Shane was in a far better mood asked, You two ok now?

Shane and Dana looking at each other for confirmation both replied, Were ok.

A FEW WEEKS LATER

The alarm went off at four Monday morning. It was Tinas first day at her new job teaching at Delano Technical College. She wanted to be early so she could settle in and get acquainted. Although she had experience teaching, it was mainly with younger children so she was a bit nervous about teaching young adults some who may be older than she is. The two women stirred as the alarm went off. Tina reached to shut it off and grudgingly crawled out of bed. Bette reached to pull Tina back to snuggle a bit longer, but if Tina needed to get out before the morning traffic she needed to get up and get herself ready. Baby, I need to get up.

Why so early? Stay a few minutes longer please?

Tina kissed Bette, Sweetie you know how the road can be, and I want to be there early.

Uhhhghh. Ok ok but if I fall asleep wake me before you go ok?

Tina kissed Bette again, I will. and went to the bathroom. Tina was ready. Lunch and a light snack packed. She got her brief bag and lunch bag and put everything in the car. She went back to wake Bette before she left. Hon?

Mmmmm

Baby, Im leaving for work now.

Mmmm youre leaving? Bette asked half asleep.

Yeah. Its almost five thirty.

Ok, Call me when you get to work ok. Be safe on the road.

I will.

Bette still lying on the bed, pulled Tina down to kiss her, I love you.

I love you too.

Tina was leaving the room when Bette called out, Enjoy your first day.

Thanks.

Tina got to the campus around seven forty-five. She called Bette to let her know that she arrived safely. She was one of the first few teachers to get in. They introduced themselves and they made her feel comfortable. Her first class wasnt until nine thirty so she was glad for the time she had. She was a bit intimidated initially when she first walked in the class. The youngest student was nineteen years and there were only about three students whose work experience didnt cross two years. She was pleasantly surprised that after talking with the students, it was not as bad as she thought it would be. She got through her first class and second, which was a two period class and finished just in time for lunch. She went to the caf and was settling down when her cell phone rang. She looked at the caller id and realising that it was Bette and huge smile came across her face. Hi baby.

Hi sweetie, how has your morning been?

Ohh it was nice. Easier than I thought. God, there is actually a student my mothers age. And some of the guys are huge.

Bette laughed, Well I am sure they are more scared of you than you are of them.

Of course, I told then try anything and I will stick my big bad girlfriend on them.

Oh you did did you?

Uhuh.

What you up to now?

Having lunch. I have a class in a few minutes.

Ok, well I wont keep you. What time are you leaving there?

My last class ends at three thirty.

Ok thats not too bad.

Yeah and if the traffic isnt too bad I should be home by seven or so.

Ok, well Ill let you go then. I love you.

I love you too.

Tina made it through her first day unscathed. She was pleased and if this is just a glimpse of what is expected she knew she didnt regret leaving GameTech. It was not paying as much as GameTech nor was she developing games like she did, but she was given the opportunity to share her knowledge with others and that was worth more than any pay package. She drove home feeling a lot less nervous than her drive this morning and the fact too that she was going home to Bette instead of to her parents, was and added bonus. She got home a little later than expected. There was an accident on the highway and the traffic was backed up for almost two hours more that usual so instead of getting home at seven as she had hoped she didnt get home till after nine that night. Bette had dinner waiting and she had run a bath for Tina, but fell asleep while waiting for her to get home. Tina opened the door and set her bags down. When she got to the living room she saw her lover on the couch sleeping with a book on her chest. Tina gently removed the book and kissed Bette on her forehead and placed her hand on her forehead gently caressing Bettes head. Bette moved her head on contact and a smile came across her face and she slowly opened her eyes to see Tina kneeling in front of her. Hey. Youre home.

Hi sweetie.

What time is it?

Its almost ten.

Its late. I made dinner.

I see that. Tina got up and took Bettes hand to pull her up from the couch. Come on. They had dinner, Tina enjoyed the bath Bette ran for her and was soon lying in the arms of the woman she loved more than life and as she fell asleep she thought, I am the luckiest woman a live.