“Art History?” Tina laughed. “Well then, she is most definitely your daughter.”

Bette smiled at Tina and then looked over to Dani. “How about you Dani? You have that gleam in your eye.”

Dani was mesmerized by this woman and everything about her. She could also tell that her mom was really happy to see her as well. They must have been totally close friends at one time. She wondered what happened, because she didn’t remember her mom ever mentioning a friend named Bette Porter. Man, if she was my friend, I’d want to be around her all the time. She just looks so cool.

“Dani?

“Huh? I’m sorry, what did you ask?” Oops…pay attention.

Bette and Tina both had to suppress smiles, each recognizing the look of a budding crush, and Dani had it when she looked at Bette. For a quick moment, Bette remembered back to her first crush on a woman…her fifth grade teacher, Miss Simmons …hhhaaa “Well I was noticing that you have that artist look in your eye. The one that can enjoy the simple beauty of creation in all its forms, but also has the curiosity…the need to know what the artist was thinking, what their motivation was. Am I right? Are you an artist?”

Wow, she saw all that just by looking at me? Dani stood up straighter and looked at Bette with a bit of pride. “Well…I want to be an artist…I mean, I hope that some day I can…well, I have started…you really think I have that look?”

Tina couldn’t take any longer. Chuckling to herself, she wrapped her arms around Dani from behind and bent her head down to kiss her on her cheek. “I told you honey, you have so much talent, you are an artist.” She looked up at Bette grinning. “Bette, you should see some of her paintings. I think you would really like them.”

“Well Dani, if Tina Kennard says you have talent…” She covered the side of her mouth facing Tina with her hand and whispered, “even if she is your mother…then you must, because I trust her opinion more than anyone I have ever known. Maybe you will allow me to see your work sometime.”

“Really?” Dani’s eyes got really wide and she gushed to Tina, “Can she Mom…I mean, can we show her?”

Tina laughed and looked at Bette shaking her head. “Honey, that would be great, but everything is back home. But I’ll tell you what, when we get home we can take some slides and send them to Bette. How’s that sound?”

Dani turned around into Tina’s arms and hugged her. “Right on Mom! Thanks…Oh, and thanks Mrs. Porter for wanting to see them.”

Bette laughed at Dani, then looked at Tina and wiggled her eyebrows. “Well Dani, it’s Ms. Porter, but you can call me Bette, and you are very welcome. I’m looking forward to seeing them. By the way, where is home?”

Tina continued to hug Dani and looking at Bette, softly said, “Seattle. I’ve lived in Seattle for about 14 years.”

Bette was surprised by the disappointment she felt upon hearing that. “Wow, Seattle! You can’t get any further away from New York than that!”

At that moment the door to the gallery opened and a beautiful African American woman walked in. She saw Milaine first and quickly walked over to her, hugging her tight and gently kissing her on the cheek. “Milaine, my beautiful girl, how are you today?”

“I’m good. How is your day going?” Milaine asked the question, but was only partially paying attention to the answer. She was still thinking about what MaBe said about this woman, Tina Kennard, how her opinion was the one she trusted most in the world. She would have thought that the woman she was hugging had that place of honor. Who is this pretty blond woman, and how did she know her mother?

Bette turned to the woman, and seeing who it was starting walking over to her. Since she was still hugging Milaine, Bette put one arm around Milaine and the other around the woman, who was obviously very close to both mother and daughter. “Hey you! I’m glad you are here, I’m starving! Come here, I want you to meet someone.”

Bette reached out and held the hand of this striking woman and led her over to Tina and Dani. She smiled at Tina and proceeded to introduce everyone. “Tina and Dani Kennard, this is Leslie Thompson. Leslie, this is my very good friend, Tina Kennard and her daughter Dani.”

Both Tina and Leslie looked at each other thinking along the same line, but reaching different conclusions. Leslie knew who Tina was, and was feeling happy, but a little apprehensive about meeting her. Tina on the other hand was thinking, how beautiful this woman was, and how close the three women seemed to be when they were all hugging each other…then it hit her. Bette had said this woman’s last name was Thompson. Milaine’s last name was Thompson-Porter. Tina struggled to force the incredible amount of disappointment, and sadness out of her mind and smiled as brightly as she could, reaching out the shake the hand in front of her.
“Hi Leslie, it’s very nice to meet you.”
“You as well Tina. I’ve heard so much about you over the years. It’s nice to meet you in person.”

“Tina, Leslie and I were going to go get some lunch, would you and Dani like to join us?”

As much as Tina wanted to spend time with Bette…God, her beautiful Bette…she couldn’t bring herself to accept the invitation. Even after all these years, she just didn’t have it in her to sit across a table and watch Bette with someone else. “Thanks Bette. I would love to catch up with you, but Dani and I still have several galleries to hit and then we need to get back to my sister’s place for dinner. She is watching my kids for me.”

Dani looked at Bette and then at her mom. She wanted to go where Bette was going. She wanted to talk to her about all things art, and well…she’s just so amazing! “We don’t have to go to any more galleries Mom. We can go to lunch if you want.”

Bette saw the hesitation in Tina’s eyes, but misunderstood the reason. She thought that maybe Tina just didn’t really want to spend time with her again. That saddened her. She had hoped that after all this time… “Hey, that’s Ok, I understand the pressure to fit everything in while your on vacation. When are you going home?”

Tina thanked Bette in her head for understanding. Little did she know that Bette was understanding the wrong thing. “We are leaving the day after tomorrow.”

The day after tomorrow…so soon. Bette decided to take one more chance. “Tina, I would love to catch up with you. Is your schedule open tomorrow that I might take you to dinner?”

Tina could feel everyone’s eyes on her and knew she couldn’t turn Bette down in front of them. “That would be great. It’s obvious a lot has happened in both our lives since we last saw each other. I’d love to catch up.”

Bette smiled at Tina. “Perfect! I would come pick you up, but I don’t have a car. Why don’t you take my card and call me tomorrow. We can decide where to go and when to meet then.”

Dani thought that was crazy! How could a woman like this not have a car?! “Wow! You don’t have a car? How do you get anywhere?”

Bette laughed. “Well Dani, there’s no reason to have a car in Manhattan. Parking is impossible and the traffic is always at a standstill, so most people here either walk, or take a cab. I will admit though, that I take cabs most of the time, especially when it’s cold!” Bette laughed. “I guess still have some of that California blood in me. So T, what do you think?”

Tina let go of Dani and reached out for Bette’s hands, loving the sound of her nickname coming from Bette’s mouth. “That sounds great Bette. I’ll call you tomorrow. Leslie, Milaine…it was wonderful to meet you both.” She turned to Dani. “Come on honey, let’s go.”

Dani reluctantly said good bye to Bette and followed her mother out the door.

Leslie watched Tina walk out the door and then turned to Bette. “You didn’t tell her who I am.”

“What?”

“You didn’t tell her who I am.”

“Oh, *****! I was just so excited to see her, and I wanted you to meet her…I wasn’t thinking. Oh *****! Do you think she thought that you…”

“By the look on her face when you introduced me…yep!”