Simone walked towards Bette and Tina she noticed the commotion she started and she loved every second of it but she wasnt there for the peanut gallery she wanted an innocent cup of coffee.

Simone: (never taking her eyes off Bette) Good Morning to the happy couple. I hope you dont mind Bette but I bugged James early this morning to help me to find a decent cup of coffee.
*****
Bette: There are tons of places to go for coffee Simone. James how early were you in the office this morning?

James: She called me at home. I need to get my number unlisted.

Bette: James Im sorry. Simone whats going on”why would you do that?

Simone: Well Im not scheduled to see you until next week and you arent listed and I really wanted to see you. Im working on this piece and I need your opinion on it.

Bette: You could have called me at the CAC later or come by even. Simone that was a little inconsiderate to James. Dont you think you owe him an apology?

Simone: Oh yes”my God youre right? James Im so sorry.

James: Yeah right.

Simone: Bette look Im really not one of those temperamental artists. Ive never needed anyones opinion on any of my work before. Lets just call this a crisis of creativity. Ive been paralyzed for the last two months”unable to work at all. I thought Id mentioned that. Anyway, now Im attempting to work again but it all seems like *****. I really would like you to at least come see it. Please. Really I know my bothering James and hunting you down like this is really not cool and I do apologize. Ive never done anything like this before and I dont plan to do anything like this again. Im apparently going through some real creative melt down and I dont know where else to turn.

Bette looked at Simone and then at Tina. Tina almost felt bad for Simone because she had really opened up to Bette. Bette however didnt seemed to be too moved one way or the other with Simones plea.

Bette: Simone I have a schedule of things I have to do today. Im not totally booked so if James and I have time well come by and look at your new work. It will have to be between say 10:30 and 12:30. I have a 1:00. Dont beat yourself up about your work and dont ever second- guess yourself that will only stifle your creative flow. Remember there is no right or wrong only your vision and theres only one you so be true to yourself and the work will stand on its own.

Simone: Thanks. Thanks and again Im sorry for interrupting your day and your breakfast. Trust me Im really not like this.

Bette: Youll just have to prove to me that you arent like this.

Tina cleared her throat as a signal for Bette to soften her edges a little. Bette knows she has a tendency to be a bit too harsh but she hated the feeling of being ambushed and she thought she had made it completely clear to Simone that she expected her to be professional if they were going to work together. Of course she wasnt hitting on her but this behavior was still very unprofessional. Bette got the clue that Tina had not so subtly provided and decided to be a little friendlier. The least she could do was make the introductions.

Bette: Well Simone while youre here I could introduce you to some of my friends and family. You already know my wife. (Bette held Tinas hand.)
Tina: (looking towards Simone) Good Morning
Simone: Good morning, again sorry for the interruption.
Tina: Its not a problem. Im sure that Bette AND James will be happy to help out in any way they can.

Tinas immediate concern was how would this little interruption play out she and Bette intended on calling Dr. Wilsons office at 9:00 from the Planet”thats when Dr. Wilsons office opened and they really did want to know when she would be available to see them. But time was ticking away and Simone was full of all her drama the more Tina thought about it the more disappointed she became but she decided she would continue to put her faith in Bette and let Bette handle her distraught and unstable artist– no Bette and James. Thank God for James Tina thought to herself.

It wasnt lost on Bette that Tina added– and James to her reply to Simone. Actually Bette was glad Tina noticed that she had volunteered James to tagalong too. Simone made Bette a little nervous. The idea of spending any real time alone with her wasnt very appealing. It wasnt a matter of Bette trusting herself it was a matter of wanting to work with Simone and if Simone would respect the boundaries the Bette firmly defined. ***** boundaries only worked when both parties respected them. Bette continued with the introductions.
Bette: This is Alice. Alice this is Simone Lennox shes an up and coming artist that will be featured in the CACs next show.
Alice: Its nice to meet you. Im sure you get this all of the time but youre a dead ringer for
Simone: Angelina Jolie”yeah Ive heard that a lot. I guess as far as looking like someone else is concerned I could do much worse. Alice Im at a disadvantage, you know what I do. I have no idea what you do.
Alice: Im a journalist. I write for LA magazine.
Simone: That sounds exciting.
Alice: It depends on the assignment. Speaking of I gotta go. It was really nice meeting you.
Simone: Same here. Maybe Ill see you around.
Dana had somehow regained her ability to speak and as Alice got up to leave Dana blurted out, Maybe Ill see you around sometime too AL. Alice came back to her senses and remembered her could be girlfriend Oh Dana, Ill call you later today. Dana couldnt be too angry she had lost the ability to speak when she saw Simone and now Bette was about to make their formal introduction.
Bette: Dana this is Simone an artist that will be featured in our next show. Simone this is Dana Fairbanks.
Simone: Dana youre the tennis player. Im not at a disadvantage with you. Youve been doing pretty well lately. I guess you train a lot and travel a lot too. Is that exciting for you?
Dana: It can be. Of course its more fun when Im winning than when Im losing. Ive actually gotta go too. It was nice meeting you.
Dana felt pretty good about herself. She didnt say anything stupid and she was actually able to speak. Bette couldnt help but smile at Dana and then look over at Tina and wink at her. Tina squeezed Bettes hand. They all felt like Dana was their little sister”their little nave sister, and whenever she did anything no matter how insignificant to anyone outside of their little circle they all knew it was significant to her; so it was always significant to them”they were family. Now Shane. Before Bette knew Simone was Simone and when she was just this young attractive art lover at the CAC; the moment Bette noticed her, Bette wanted to match her up with Shane. Now having these two in this close proximity, those thoughts are rushing back to Bette. But the realization that Simone is in fact Simone, and Shane is dealing with Megan, regardless if Bette likes it or not– these are the indisputable facts.
Bette: Simone this is my dear friend Shane. Shane this is Simone. You saw some of her proofs when you were with me when I returned back to work.
Shane: Your work is amazing. Im just now really getting into art”learning how to appreciate it, but I liked a lot of yours.
Simone: Thats sweet to say. May I ask what you do?
Shane: Im a hair stylist.
Simone: So do you enjoy doing that?
Shane: Yeah”I never really thought about it, but I do.
Simone: Maybe you can style my hair sometimes.
Shane: Id love to do you sometimes.
Simone: (smiling) Would you?
Shane: Your hair”Id love to style your hair sometimes. Id better go. Bette Ill see you at 1:00 right.
Bette: Right. Please be on time. Okay Simone I guess James has your address and number well call before we come. Tina babe its nine we have an important call to make.

Simone sat back and noticed the way Bette lovingly stroked Tinas hand she could actually feel the love radiate between the two. Any designs she had on Bette were slowly beginning to dissolve but not completely. She wanted those eyes, that look that seemed to be reserved for Tina to be for her. She just didnt know how to go about getting it. Love isnt something that you can steal and from her past her experience Simone knew that love is something that you only get when you give; sadly not always to the same person; thats why its so amazing when you do love someone that they”really love you too. Thats so hard to find.

Tina: Whatd you just say?
Simone: Oh did I just say that out loud? Im embarrassed?
Bette: What?
Simone: Never mind I was just thinking out loud? Ill wait for your call. Im so sorry for the interruption. You guys have a good day. See you and James later. Bye Tina
Bette and Tina: Bye

Tina asks Bette as Simone left the Planet Babe what do you think is wrong with her? She seems to have a lot on her mind? Bette sighed and seemed to think about her answer for a brief moment T I dont know. Shes really talented and I want to work with her and according to Megan this behavior isnt like her. Ill talk to her but Im a museum director not a psychologist or social worker and I dont want to sound cold or uncompassionate but Tina I dont do well with my emotions how can I help her with hers my only suggestion is for her to paint hopefully it will make her feel better. Do you mind if we talk about happier topics like making babies? Tina responded by getting up and gently kissing Bette on her lips.

Doctor Wilson was extremely happy to hear from the couple and to know they were planning to try again she had a cancellation later that day and wanted to see them. Tina was on her way to the Center to get some work done for the day and James and Bette were on their way to Simones.

Simone greeted them and as she opened the door they were bombarded with dozens of her pasts works Bette hadnt seen any of them in-person and she was truly blown away by the young womans talent. James had still been a little angry from his wake up call but even he stood in complete awe of the sheer beauty and depth of the works.

Neither, Bette or James spoke, they walked freely around from piece to piece not wanting to or unable to speak who can say? They were in a word, speechless. Time seemed to stand still and Bette knows how she can get when shes overwhelmed with art and the sheer beauty of it. She took her watch off and held it in her hand knowing she would inevitably move her hand up and down in front of the pieces that way the time would catch her eye. She had asked Shane to be on time and she didnt want to be late and now she had the appointment with Dr. Wilson too and she refused to be late for that. Bette finally remembered why she was there.

Bette: The new piece? The one you said you had a crisis of creativity about”may I see it?
Simone: (hesitated) BetteBette please dont be angry with me (she walks to her workspace and points towards and empty canvas and sobs)
Bette: Simone theres nothing here. You woke James up this morning. Insisted that we come here for this?
Simone: Well I thought youd come alone.
Bette: (in an angry tone) Why would you want me to come here alone Simone?
Simone: Why do you think?
Bette: I want you to say it so that I can end our working relationship right now?
Simone: Bette its not what you think”really. There are a few things you dont know about me.
Bette: Simone I dont know anything about you and all I need to know about you is this (Bette gestures moving her arms towards the artwork.)
Simone: Dont you think if you knew the artist better youd understand the art more?
Bette didnt respond thats the kind of thinking that landed her in bed with Megan Freeman many years ago.
James had continued his stroll throughout the studio and uncovered a not quite finished piece of artwork he was frozen in his tracks because he recognized the subject immediately. Unlike the other pieces this piece had a title Eyes of Love the eyes looking back at him were deep, dark, and love-filled they were the eyes of his boss and he wasnt sure if Bette would appreciate being the subject Ms. Lennox latest masterpiece. The funny thing was this picture was so different from everything else she had ever done and in James humble opinion it was the best thin in the studio. This was too good to keep to himself. He wanted”needed to see what Bette thought of this for its artistic value and the fact that it existed. Maybe Simone was a little obsessed with Bette.

James walked into Simones workspace and noticed the tension. He immediately spoke up.

James: Bette theres a piece back here you have to see. Its called Eyes of Love I think youll find it interesting.

Simone looked at James with shear panic across her face.

TBC