Its called Images of Perfection. Its a retrospective of my black and white images from the last twenty years. It celebrates peoples different perceptions of perfection from the simplicity of a leaf to the beauty of a human face. Maggie said I thought I mentioned it before. Its at that little gallery in SoHo that I told you about..theyre expecting some big names..I thought I could introduce you to a few people. You might make some useful contacts

Surethey may be able to help me in LA..its a different scene but you never know.

Arent you tired of that little museum of yours dear? Surely its time to move on to a real one in a city that appreciates art..somewhere like New York ..

Bette looked shocked and hurt, wasnt anything she did good enough for her mother?

Shes put the CAC on the map.. said Tina coming into the room in time to hear the end of the conversation. She moved over to Bette and touched her arm which was all she felt comfortable doing in front of Maggie who frowned on demonstrative behaviour regardless of a persons sexual orientation. Shes famous in LA.

Im sure its impressive for LA .. Maggie dismissed Tinas comment, waving her hand as if shed just performed some magic trick.

Maggie continued with her plans Theres a little party afterwards..just a little drinks thingtheres a few people you should meet..

Bette just sat and looked at her mother unable to think of anything else to say.

..after lunch

Bette came through to her mothers sitting room and threaded the elegant pearl earring into her right ear. Shed changed into one of her newest suits wanting to impress her mother.

Maggie looked up Is that what theyre wearing in LA?

Bette looked at her mother and spoke defensively Whats wrong with it?

Nothing dear..its very .. Maggie hesitated trying to find a word which described the suit nice

Bette looked down Should I change? ***** she thought her mother always made her feel like this, as if she couldnt even manage to dress herself properly.

No..no.. Its just its so masculine ..and youre such a pretty girl..

Bette sighed, she had no plans to wear a dress, hadnt even brought one. Are you ready mother?

Wheres Tina? Isnt she coming? said Maggie looking over Bettes shoulder towards their bedroom.

No..shes staying with Rosie ….so its just you and me. She wanted to add, are you disappointed, but she knew it wasnt a good idea to ask questions when you werent sure what the answer would be.

Well shouldnt you be with her then? Why would you want to accompany an old woman to a show rather than be with your daughter? Theyre only young for such a short time you know..

Mom..the show? said Bette already feeling her temper start to fray.

..a couple of hours later

Tina looked up as she heard the front door open. She was lying on a rug on the floor happily playing with Rosie. She could hear Bettes raised voice from where she was and it didnt sound good. She was glad shed decided to stay with Rosie, it wouldnt have been practical to take her to the show and after her experience on the flight she was tired of people staring at her as if mothers were persona non-gratis. She smiled to herself, from the sound of Bettes voice it must have been an interesting afternoon.

Mom..stop ..OK Bettes angry voice carried.

She couldnt hear Maggies muffled reply.

Jesus Christ..I dont want to talk about it anymore Bette came storming into the room, her jaw was tensed, her eyes were hardened. It was clear that Bettes adversarial relationship with her mother had forced her natural defensiveness to kick in.

Darling said Maggie sweeping across the room and into her chair dont swear..ladies dont do that

Bette turned Since when have we been ladies..huh..we grew up in Philly mom ..

Now Bette said Maggie in an irritatingly calm voice ..dont be childish.

Tina could see Bette working up to say something that shed regret. She did the only thing she could think of which might broker the peace, she scooped Rosie up and dumped her in Bettes arms Rosies missed you she said and for once Rosie co-operated giving Bette a huge gummy smile and batting her with a fist.

Bette looked down at Rosie and her anger vanished replaced by the instant overwhelming love she felt when her daughter smiled at her. She took her little fist in her hand and kissed it. She looked up at Tina Have you been out?

Tina shook her head.

How about I change and we take her for a walk in the park? said Bette more calmly; she looked towards her mother Would you like to come with us Mom?

No dear, you and Tina go ..I have some calls I need to return….

Bette sighed and, taking Rosie with her, she went into the bedroom. Tina gathered Rosies playthings, waved vaguely in Maggies direction and followed Bette.

TBC