Bette, looking at her image on the mirror was having a hard time deciding which shoes to wear. She didnt count on having to go to a cocktail party but now, thinking about it she had to smile, with Peggy everything was possible.

They had a great, surreal as always with her, lunch, at the end of which Peggy asked Bette to go with her to a cocktail party she had to attend and where she wanted to introduce Bette to a few people. She didnt tell Bette what she had in mind, typical Peggy style, Bette thought again, finally deciding on the black high heels Kenneth Cole that Tina gave her for Xmas.

Getting the shoes she noticed the blue turtle neck on the arm chair and smiled. Smiled at the memories of her conversation with Tina, smiled because even when they didnt finish what they started, due to, as Tina wisely said, Peggys call took more time than Bette thought and by the time she called Tina back, she was already in the garden, working and not so much in the mood to continue with the conversation but none the less they talked for a while, enjoying each others words.


***

Tina picked up Greta just n time. She was already waiting for her on the front door, reading the paper leaning on the wall. Waiting on the road for the light to turn green Tina study her.
Since Bettes suggestion the day before, Tina has been wondering about Greta. Looking at her, in her tight, great tailored black pants with the white and red stripe long sleeve t-shirt, the perfect French image she had Tina thought, smiling, looking at her. Only she was German. Her short haircut gave her a tomboy look but she was a very femme tomboy, Tina thought, noticing the light turning green.


***

Peggy, as always was the heart of the party. Everybody knew her and she knew everybody, making Bette feel like a little girl following her mom around. The guests list was quite impressive, some of Chicago high society, Bette noticed, but no one that caught her attention, still she was not sure why Peggy wanted her to go to the party.

She was at the bar ordering a drink when Peggys unmistaken voice sounded behind her,

Bette, dear, come here I want you to meet someone

Bette didnt have to move too far as turning around she found Peggy holding a very tall womans arm.

Bette, I want you to meet Lady Penelope Harrigan Peggy, smiling was pointing to her amused companion who, by the look on her face, Bette knew that was used to Peggys manners.

Bette Porter Bette said, smiling, offering her polished hand.

Good girls, now, I will leave you two alone to dish need to find Alfred he knows all the gossip I need to know about our little plan” Peggy added, winking at the women, whispering the last words to them.

Bette smiling, followed Peggys pace in the crowd till she exited to another room. Feeling her companion stare she turned then to look at her, mute.

Bette Lady Penelope said, waving at the waiter, pointing the champagne that was cooling in ice.

Lady Penelope Bette said, trying not to laugh thinking about Alice and how many remarks shed be offering just by hearing the title.

Call me Helen Lady Penelope said, smiling.

Helen? Asked Bette, handing her the champagne glass.

Since I was five I hated Penelope but is my familys name and cant change it so I decided back then that I liked Helen instead, so everybody outside the English papers call me Helen, of ***** (smiles, noticing Bettes amused look) I know, my friends call me that.

Helen , so why is Peggy so interest in us to meet? Bette said, looking at her, studying her. Lady Penelope was not someone important in the art world, she was sure of that, the name didnt ring a bell. She was tall, long brown hair, and on the contrary of almost everybody at the party she was wearing casual, was wearing jeans that Bette noticed covered her long legs perfectly, high heel boots and a grey t-shirt under a tailored beautiful men dark jacket. A silky expensive scarf was lazyly around her neck.

Ive done some research about you Miss Potter She said, looking at Bette in the eyes.

Really? Am sure it was pretty boring Bette nonchalantly smiled, taking a sip of her drink.

Graduated Cume Laude at 21, MBA at Yale for two years after that, then Europe. You worked as an intern in some of the most important museums in the continent. The DOrsay in Paris for three months, Brcke in Berlin another three, The British in London for five, The Academy in Florence for another three to finish with a year in the most important of all, The Prado in Madrid

Si added Bette, looking away, remembering, not noticing the word escaping her lips.

Then back to the States. A year and a half working at the Metropolitan. An inside work, From Goya to Schiele. Same passion , different lights, an incredible exhibition by the way Lady Penelope slowly added, remembering too.

Yes it was, beautiful Bette said, looking back at Helen.

Then after that, back to LA where you opened your own Gallery and after 5 years decide to sell it and accept your current job at the CAC taking another champagne sip Lady Penelope finished.

Somebody did the homework well for you, but Id have told you all that said Bette, looking at her, trying to read her intentions.

Yeah I know, but thats not why I wanted you investigated Helen added, looking at Bette, daring her.

was not? A confused Bette asked.

No..(placing the champagne glass at the bar, leading Bette to the open terrace) of course not.

What did you want then? Asked Bette, amazed by the view, Chicago skyline at night.

I wanted to know why you left Madrid after only nine months (she took a cigarette from her tiny very stylish purse, offering one to Bette who shaking her head looked away back to the view), I wanted to know why when you had mayor financial problems at your gallery on your third year you didnt sell and accepted the very lucrative San Francisco offer and instead stayed in LA to only sell it two years later, to accept the CAC offer which was good but am sure cant fulfil your huge potential

Lady Penelope was looking at the view too, noticing Bette looking at her. The cigarette smoke filling the space and silence between them.

Your man did your homework thats for sure said Bette, her voice bit lower than before.

As good as it gets thats my motto” Helen added, looking back at Bette, inhaling.

Noticing Bettes look, listening to her silence, Lady Penelope added, almost whispering, in a not treating tone.

I also wanted to know why you left to India just weeks after your biggest opening, and why you came back three weeks later

Bette, looking back at her, confused but not bothered by the questions said,

You want to know many things for sure

Well (nodding) if we are going to work together I want to know with whom I will work with and the most about them Helen said, smiling.

Bette was looking at her, not sure why by trusting her, liking the openness and honesty. Sighing deeply, looking back at the amazing view she added, whispering.

All those things happened for the same reason, even when the first ones I didnt know then

Lady Penelope was looking at the view too but was noticing Bettes body language, how her muscles were tensing, how the look on her face was changing. She didnt push, she just smoked, quietly, waiting for Bette to go on.


I I fell in love

All those times? Helen asked, amazed.

Yes (nodding) but always with the same person Bettes words were flying with the wind, caressing her memories and holding her heart as she was looking away not seeing the view, just Tinas smile.

Must be one ***** of a person Helen whispered, amazed and a bit jealous.

As good as it gets smiled Bette, sighing, looking back at Lady Penelope.