Chapter 19
The morning of graduation came entirely too quickly for Bette. The early May morning in Southern Tennessee was warm but not unpleasant, and she hoped that it would continue that way throughout the day.
Zoe came over the night before to see her, and they had their first dinner with just the two of them in Bette's new little apartment. Bette couldn't remember the last time she prepared dinner. Over the years, she had cooked less and less because Shelly was always on some kind of fad diet that Bette never could seem to get right, so they would either order out or three times a week Shelly had a private chef come make the meals. Most of the time, Zoe was off at school or with friends, and spending the evening with her parents wasn't exactly something that she wanted to do often. Dinner in the Cooper household was often a silence-filled affair that became so normal that it didn't seem abnormal anymore.
Bette didn't have a fully functioning kitchen yet, but she did have a few pots and pans that she had managed to buy, and Kerrie let her borrow a few things as well so she could make the dinner. It had been a wonderful evening, and Kerrie and Kenny had even invited them to join them outside for a bit by the fire pit. Kenny had stayed up later than usual when he realized Zoe was there. They were forming a tight bond.
Kerrie and Bette had been flirting here and there, but the week had been busy. They didn't have as much time to spend together as she would have liked. Work had been chaotic. There was an increase in the number of clients because a grant had opened up.
Kerrie worked late every night and had volunteered to take a group of clients to the Thursday AA meeting when the person who normally did it couldn't. There was so much she did for Turtle Grove, and Bette couldn't help but notice that others didn't do nearlyas much. Wilson never stayed over or volunteered to do anything extra. The people at the main building didn't have to run a whole building like they did at The Church. They had help, whereas Church and Tindle Street were on their own. Add that to a full caseload, and it was a wonder Kerrie ever left the place.
Glancing at the time on her phone, Bette swallowed around the growing lump in her throat. Kerrie was supposed to meet her in 20 minutes, and she still hadn't picked an outfit.
Her first paycheck finally arrived, and she had treated herself to a trip to the salon. Her graying roots had desperately needed dyeing, while her shaggy blonde bob had grown past her shoulders. She felt like a new woman walking out of the salon. It had been so nice to treat herself. To take pride in her appearance once again. She had always been one to keep up her looks. She adored makeup and nice clothes. Those were all things she had been allowed to keep in the divorce. Since moving into her own space, she had begun to feel like herself. Having her belongings back was more impactful than she had expected. The familiarity of having her things within reach. Things that made her feel like a woman. She had more of a bounce to her step. Her confidence had been bolstered. Especially when Kerrie had whistled at her yesterday morning when she saw Bette's new hair. The taller woman's mouth had dropped open as she placed her hand on her chest and breathed out, 'Damn.' Her reaction had been genuine. The adoration and heat in Kerrie's eyes had been breathtaking. Bette wanted to soak in the look.
Bette shook her head, her cheeks warming from the memory.
Checking the time again, she realized she was now down to 15 minutes, and all she had on was a full-body body shaper that squeezed everything in and lifted things that needed lifting. Shapewear was not something that she enjoyed wearing, but she wanted to look her best. Not only was Shelly going to judge her, but her mother had decided to go to the graduation after vehemently refusing to for weeks. Bette had tried to talk her out of it, but Clara would not be swayed. Then she had tried to talk Kerrie out of going because they'd all be judging her: Shelly, Jen, and her mom. Even her ex-in-laws. Only Zoe would be safe. Despite her best efforts, Kerrie had just smiled, probably seeing right through her, and said she would be ready at 10:00.
A knock sounded on the back door, prompting her to jump. "Shit, she's early."
Grabbing her robe off the bed, she slid into it as she walked to her door.
Her breath left her when she opened it. She had assumed Kerrie would wear a work outfit. A simple pair of worn dress pants and a polo, but she had put effort into her appearance.
Bette's mouth hung open for a moment as she roamed her eyes over the counselor. A white button-down dress shirt made of high-quality material was tucked into the sharply pleated navy blue slacks that were tailored perfectly to lay over her hazel bronzed oxford shoes. Her short brown hair had a little gel in it, giving it a more textured look. Even the light scent of musky evergreen cologne seemed the perfect match. Bette always thought it sounded hokey when she read in romances that the characters mouths watered just looking at someone attractive, but she was swallowing back spit like a cheap cliché.
Smirking, Kerrie motioned up and down at herself. "I take it that you approve?"
Licking her lips, Bette nodded slowly. "Yeah, you look," she searched for the right word. "Uh, is handsome okay? Is that offensive?"
A chuckle rumbled through Kerrie. "Nah, I like handsome. That feels more authentic than something like pretty. You're a little more underdressed than I expected."
Bette looked down at her robed body and laughed. "Yeah, I can't decide between two outfits. Would you like to have a seat while I finish getting ready?"
Bette had one place to sit in the living room—a maroon faux leather recliner that had been in her and Shelly's family TV room in the basement. She hadn't even remembered having it until they went through the storage unit.
Kerrie went to the recliner while Bette went to finish putting herself together.
Standing in front of the two outfits lying on her bed, she was back at square one. She knew she was overthinking it. It didn't need to be this big of an issue, but she really wanted to put the best version of herself on display. To smear it in their faces that she was doing well. They didn't need to know she was just a head above broke. Or that she had to borrow a colander and spoons from Kerrie last night for their dinner. Or that she had been doing her own acrylic nails by using YouTube tutorials, which, honestly, she found she really enjoyed, but it wasn't something she would have been expected to do. Bette Cooper, always dressed to the nines in luxury brands and living in a house that had its own wine cellar. Now she was living in the cellar, choking herself with monomer and acrylic so her nails didn't resemble a child's mouth of missing and cresting teeth.
She glanced at her phone. They needed to leave in five minutes. She bit her lip and grabbed both outfits. She found Kerrie in the same spot, her head leaned back and her eyes closed. Clearing her throat, she held both up. "I need an opinion, or we'll never leave."
"Okay, lay 'em on me," Kerrie smiled warmly.
"This dress," she held up the white dress with belled sleeves and a royal blue paisley pattern that cinched at the waist by a matching belt. "Or this." The second option was a white sleeveless jumpsuit with thin green pinstripes and belled legs.
Kerrie narrowed her eyes, sweeping them back and forth before pointing at the dress. "The dress."
Tilting her head, Bette looked the dress over. "Why the dress?"
"I think the blue goes well with your hair and tan. And on a completely selfish note, I really like your legs, and I won't get to look at them in the one-piece thing."
Flames engulfed Bette's chest, creeping up her neck while her lower belly tightened. Flashing a shy smile, she nodded. "Dress it is."
The flirtation helped to distract Bette from the bundle of nerves shooting off like fireworks in her belly. If she didn't stay calm, she'd upset her stomach and then would have to tell Kerrie they'd be late because she had to poop. There was no way in hell she'd do that.
She quickly dressed, and out they went to Kerrie's truck, where Bette further melted when Kerrie held the door open for her to slide in. It didn't last, though, as Bette examined the truck. She tried not to cringe at its age. It was older but well kept. No scratches in the paint or stains on the sandy interior. It smelled like Kerrie.
