James: Bette-oh my God, youre here. Im so glad youre here. Youre back, are you sure its time? I mean; youre okay being here. Did you park on the street? No panic attack this time? God Bette. I was so worried about you not coming back and I missed you being here so much. Did I just say I missed you being here?

James was laughing and crying at the same time as he held Bette in a very tight bear hug.

She hadnt realized it”she WAS BACK. She was able to park in the garage and come into her building. A massive weight had been lifted off of her. In that moment she had never felt more proud of herself”ever. She didnt force it”it just came and that would be her new way of living, from that moment on. Bette had learned that some things are simply out our control and thats okay, because in the end things work out when you exercise a little faith. This morning when she woke up she had no idea shed be standing here back at the CAC– but here she is. Bette couldnt wipe the smile from her face. God she wanted to hold Tina so bad at this very moment but Tina was in court.

Bette did the next best thing; she whipped out her cell phone and left Tina a voice mail to call her right away because she had great news. James was still there holding onto Bettes shoulder as if he let her go she would disappear. Bette turned and noticed Shane walking towards her.

Bette: What are you doing here?
Shane: I was about to ask you the same thing? Are you okay?
Bette: Im GREAT?
Shane: I was on my way to Lather and saw you running in here. I thought it was you I couldnt be sure. I didnt know you were back to work. You didnt say anything yesterday.
Bette: I, I came on a fluke. I have to admit it feels great to be back.

Bette wasnt prepared for the emotions that had been pinned up in her. Tears quietly fell from her eyes and Shane walked towards her and held her in a supportive, loving embrace. Shane led Bette into her office and closed the door”Bette openly sobbed in front of her dear friend as the weight of the moment and the moments past”the attack, the fear, and the recovery, washed over her.

__________

Bette and Shane sat in silence while the gravity of the moment settled in. Her tears slowly waned and she felt a sense of relief and peace overtake her. Shane held her hand until she noticed that smile brighten Bettes beautiful face not to mention the rest of the room. Shane felt her heart skip a beat and couldnt help but smile back at her stunning friend. Are you okay? Shane, Im better than okay, Im great”Im back. Im back at the CAC. I parked in the garage and everything. The only thing I could think about were the negatives the picturesthe PICTURES! JAMES!

James: (knocking) Bette did you need me?

Bette: (opening the door) Yes the proofs, the negatives you took and the pictures to add to the presentation. Did you come across anything that looked umm, personal?

James: Well did you allow Tina to pose for the guy that took these?

James had separated the proofs and negatives of Bettes work from the other artists and discretely put the negatives of the photos of Tina in an envelope. Bette carefully scrutinized all of the negatives and accounted for everything making sure everything was there. She turned and glared at James. Before she could speak James blurted out in response to questions she hadnt formulated much less asked. Bette once I realized who the subject was I quickly slid them in the envelope and didnt look at them”at all. I wanted to talk to you first thing this morning. I had no intention of looking at them or showing them or talking about them. Bette almost wanted to laugh. James looked like a big kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar and it really wasnt his fault. Or was it? Bette I do have a confession. I meant to bring in these proofs and negatives these were clearly set apart from the others. I wanted Franklin and the rest of the board to see them. This guy is really good and I think his work should be featured in the show with the rest of the new artists. I know you like his work too”thats why you had it, right? I just didnt know that the negatives of Tina would be in there too. You must really trust this guy to shoot Tina and looking at his other negatives and proofs this guy has an excellent eye. Look at how detached he is when hes right up on the subject and how intimate he is when hes so distant”thats amazing. Of course I dont know how that translates to how he shot Tina because I honestly didnt look at those negatives but Im really curious to know”I mean for the sake of art and all.

Shane stood in the doorway and couldnt help but to let out her trademark laugh at James last comment and she too was curious about who Bette would trust to shoot Tina she could only assume that Tina was in the buff or close to it with how uneasy James was behaving. She didnt want to pry.

Bette: James may I ask you a question?
James: Sure”but Bette please dont me mad at me. I couldnt stand it if you were angry with me really.
Bette: Im not angry with you”I agree you had no way of knowing about Tinas negatives being in that pile of proofs and negatives. But why do you think a man took those photos?
James: I dont know I guess of all the work Ive seen, all of the art Ive been exposed to Ive never seen a womans work seem that detached or anyones work seem that intimate thats what makes it so special, so inspired”so different. Did a woman shoot these?
Shane: (now looking closely at the proofs and negatives) Bette you shot these didnt you?
James: Oh my God, Bette you shot these? I mean, I know that was a question but I didnt know you were a photographer. How can you be so distant and yet so intimate, how?
Bette: James I dont know. Its funny its how I feel more often than not; like an outsider looking in. Except when it comes to T. When it comes to T, Im home.

Shane looked up at her friend and saw the love in her face, the peace, and longed for that in her life. She wondered if it would always elude her. She still secretly wished Bettes face softened and lit up at the thought of her but she knew that some wishes were wanton. Shane stood frozen staring at Bette wanting to look away but she couldnt, not just yet. She was mesmerized not only by Bettes beauty but by her love. Does love make someone more beautiful”giving love, being loved”it has to, right? Shane thought to herself. Bette felt Shanes deep penetrating glare and looked up. They locked eyes and Bette didnt look away. She didnt flash her smile. She saw something behind Shanes look it wasnt readable she walked towards her friend. Hey, you okay? Yeah, its just sometimes you say the sweetest most sincere things and they make me think thats all. I have to tell you something and I dont want it to be all weird because of recent developments. What Shane? I want you to be able to share whatever you have on your mind or in your heart with me to avoid any future weirdness, okay”deal? Deal. So what is it? Bette I think, I think youre absolutely beautiful, inside and out. Shane, um, um thats sweet. Bette flashed her smile and began to blush she didnt know what to say or what brought on that complement or observation by Shane. Before she could respond in any fashion her cell phone rang.

Bette: Hello?
Tina: Hi Babe. Whats going on? I had a break and checked my messages.
Bette: Guess where I am T?
Tina: Home, out getting good shots, meeting with a really good new artist? I give up?
Bette: No, No, No”Good-Im at work. Im at the CAC. I parked in the garage and Im in my office right now.
Tina: Oh Baby How? What -What happened? Oh babe I knew youd get back there sooner or later Im so happy for you. I wish I were there to give you a big hug.
Bette: Is that all Id get?
Tina: Would you want more?
Bette: (smiling) From you—of you—always.
Tina: What happened?
Bette: Dont be mad.
Tina: Okay Ill try not to be mad.
Bette: Well this morning I was about to finish developing the shots I took of you and I noticed the negatives I had already developed of some of your shots were missing along with all the other shots I had taken. I remembered James and I had been looking at all the negatives and proofs so I thought there had to have been a mix up. I guess my mind went on autopilot. I knew I had to get the negatives back. T those are private they all were but especially those so I hopped in the car and got here and parked in the garage and walked right through the doors. Babe Im back. And yes T I got your negatives. James swears as soon as he realized what they were he put them in an envelope and didnt look at them. They are all accounted for and babe I believe him.
Tina: Did anyone else see them?
Bette: Absolutely not”I got here first thing this morning T no one else saw them. James had enough sense to put them in the envelope so no one else could see them.
Tina: Babe Im not mad about the pictures I didnt want you to take them they are private but babe I love them and as long as no one else has seen them Im okay with that.
Bette: T Im so happy to be back here and to think its all because of you and those pictures.
Shane, can you make sure I dont leave here without that envelope?
Tina: Shanes there?
Bette: Yeah T she saw me running in here like a bat out of *****. It was really good she was here. I kind of had a mini melt down once I realized that I had actually come back in. I was running off of pure adrenaline at first just trying to get the negatives back. When the enormity hit me it was good I wasnt alone.
Tina: Yeah it WAS great. Shane and Candace, anyone and everyone but me”Im never there when you really need me am I?
Bette: T what are you talking about?
Tina: Candace was at the garage the night you were attacked. Shane has been there time and again to put you back together. After we broke up and now for this milestone. Do you even need me anymore? Im never really there for you.
Bette: Tina is that really what you want to focus on I tell you that Im happy to be back to work after months and the only thing you get out of it is that Shanes here with me? Tina dont you realize wherever I am whatever Im doing youre always with me?
Tina: Im sorry Bette that wasnt fair. I shouldnt have said that its just I really want to be the one whos physically there for you to lean on some times. Shoot, were being called back into court now. Baby, Im sorry about the Shane comment and I really am happy for you for going back to work and thank you for getting the negatives back for our private collection. Forgive me for being insecure and tell me that you know that I love you.
Bette: I know that you love me. T you better believe that I love you too. Im going to want to talk about this when you get home.
Tina: Im sure you will.

Shane had overheard Bettes end of the conversation with Tina and she felt bad about being there. She was trying to think of something to say to make a quick but gracious exit.

Shane: Well I think Ill get out of your hair Im sure you have plenty of work to do and Ive overstayed my welcome.
Bette: Shane no”no, before you leave I need to know how you knew I took those shots?
The reason Im asking is I only see what I see I never take the time to critique my own work. I guess Im a little too close to be objective but for you to just look at them and know those were mine that was a little strange”how?
Shane: Well James commented on the detachment versus the intimacy. You are the only person I know who ALWAYS seems somewhat guarded even in your closest intimacies like youre afraid to give too much of yourself away. Like I said lately thats changing, you seem more open and I guess thats what prompted me to tell you that I think youre beautiful on the inside and out. Seeing you in this new light Ive developed a new theory. I think love makes you beautiful.
Megan Freeman: (standing in Bettes Opened doorway) We all know Bettes one of the most beautiful women in LA shes apparently being properly loved by a better woman than me. TBC