Chapter 33 – The Auction

The silent auction has been in full swing for about an hour and a half. The girls and Tina had come to a pact that they would all met up later at the Planet and talk all about Bette. After all Alice was right when she said that they all have Tinas and Bettes best interests at heart. Oscar was beside himself with the crowd of people coming in and spending money or at least placing bids. Tina, how did you get these influential people with deep pockets to come to our auction? Oscar inquired.
Well there are some advantages to knowing Bette Porter. Alice had a copy of her rolodex and we sent them all invitations. Tina innocently replied.
Looking around it was a full house. Everyone seemed to be having a great time and all of the locations looked to have people checking out all the items. Launching herself into the crowd, Tina felt she needed to mingle around the room and see if she could persuade some of the group to donate. She also wanted to point a few potential donors to Oscar. The event was moving along nicely.

The crowd was huge and Bette was glad she was in a cab and didnt have to worry about parking. Getting out of the cab, it looked as if a lot of people where making their way in and out of the Crittin House. Standing outside looking at the crowd, Bette just wanted to blend in and scope out the place. She was hoping to get a view of Tina without being seen. That way she could leave her options about approaching Tina open. Making her way inside, Bette could see all the different displays of items up for auction. As she moved around the different rooms, her paintings came into view. Wow, they had them all framed and back lit to give them the maximum amount of impact. The effect was remarkable, even for Bettes jaded opinion. Well I hope they sell. As she moves around she see spots Oscar first talking to someone Bette knew from her past but couldnt quite remember his name. Funny how when you let go of some things you just cant recall the details anymore. Still looking at Oscar, he moves aside and there is Tina. Bettes mind is locked into this image of Tina. She is even more beautiful than Bette remembers. Tina is wearing a black silk dress with simple lines. The accents are in black satin. The overall simplicity of the dress enhances Tinas natural beauty. Her hair is pulled up showing off her elegant neck line which is adorned with at simple diamond pendant. Bette smiles, the pendant had been a gift on their anniversary. The whole vision was breath taking to Bette. She was happy to stand back unnoticed and memorize each detail as Tina talked and moved about mingling with the crowd. Bette was so totally absorbed in her focus on Tina that she failed to realize that Shane was standing right beside her until Shane wrapped her arm around Bettes waist. The sensation of someone touching her initially started Bette and she pulled away. Easy now Shane cooed to Bette as if she were trying to calm a spooked horse, keeping her arm firmly around Bettes waist. Realizing that it was Shane, Bette relaxed and slumped into Shane. Shane leaned over and whispered into Bettes ear: Stunning isnt she? Bette whispers back: Yes The two of them share the simple moment of just admiring beauty.
Shane: What do we owe the pleasure of your company?
Bette puts her head on Shanes shoulder, still looking in Tinas direction: I thought I would support Tina.
Shane: I just heard you saw Tina last week. Is that true? Bette just turns and nods to Shane, really expressing more with her eyes. Bette’s eyes telling a story of a confused lost soul.
Shane: Are you alright? Did you talk?
Bette: Yes, Im actually better. I talked to Rachael. She made me realize a few things. You know, you and Kit have really help. If I dont tell you enough thanks.
Shane: You know that the other girls are here. I have to tell you, Bette they want to see you, talk with you and be your friend. Will you let them in?
Bette takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly: Ill try Shane but dont leave me, please. I came because I wanted to show Tina some support and then leave. Now that Im here, I really just want to look at her, I havent even thought about what I would actually say to her if we talked.
Shane: I will stay with you as long as you need me, you know that. Looking over at Tina. Do you want me to bring Tina over?
Bette: No, not yet. Lets just stay here a while.

Alice and Dana were doing there best to circulate through the crowd. There were actually three items that Dana was bidding on which meant she had to keep going back to make sure she was still the highest bid. God Alice, I dont know who this Mighty Taurus is but he keeps bidding on the same items I want. He just out bid me on the Billie Jean King signed US Open program. Dana complains. Alice stabbing Dana in the ribs: Hey look over there, Shane already has a new babe. Look at her over there with her arm around that new woman.
Dana glances over at Shane and does a double take. AHH, Alice look at that new babe closer. Alice looks back over and stares at the new woman that Shane was hanging with. Oh My God, its Bette.

Alice couldnt get through the crowd fast enough, almost running over a man and woman that didnt understand the crazed look in Alices eyes. As she approached Bette, Alice cried: Porter my God! And crashed into Bette giving her the biggest bear hug that Alice could muster.
Bette didnt have time to react. She just felt the crash as Alice almost knocked her over with the first contact of her hug. Alice had tears in her eyes as she buried her head in Bette shirt. Pulling her head back to get a good look up at Bette, Alice realizes that Bettes body is stiff as a board.
AAHH .. Alice.Hi Bette managed to stammer as she looks down at Alice. Bette thought Alice would be mad as ***** at her. Seeing the sincere warmth and love coming from Alice, Bette starts to relax a little in Alices arms. Alice is still caught up in the emotion of seeing her long lost friend begins to engage her mouth before her mind could even catch up. Bette, I cant believe its you. Where have you been hiding and what does a girl have to do to get a call from you? Dont you realize that people might think you are avoiding us? We need to catch up a little . what are you doing for breakfast tomorrow? Did you really paint all those wonderful paintings? How long were you going to keep all this talent a secret? What is with the clothes? How much .

Bette just lets all of Alices questions just wash over her. She had known Alice long enough to know that she will eventually have to answer them all. For now, Bette just smiled as she had forgotten how when Alice is nervous or worried she becomes this rapid fire machine gun of questions. The more questions Alice asked the more relaxed Bette became until she finally had to break in: Alice, its great to see you too.
Alice was the one stammering now: Bette please forgiving me. Looking down and then up into Bette, looking straight into her eyes.
Bette a little confused: What ever for?
Alice: I never meant to desert you. I was your best friend. I should have been there for you and I wasnt can forgive me?
Bette grasp where Alice was going and suddenly realized that she knew more than Bette was aware. My God, she knows. What, does she think it was her fault? Immediately Bette wants to reassure Alice: Alice, I am the only one responsible for my actions, not you, you have done nothing to be apologizing for. I love you Alice and I just had some issues to work out. Believe me, it had nothing to do with you. I would like to talk with you about it. Looking around do you think maybe some other place and time though?
Alice still hugging Bette pulls back trying to express to Bette just how much she means to her: Yeah Bette, any time or any place. I would love nothing else.
Shane hearing this exchange starts to explain to Bette: AH Ah, Bette, Kit and I, well we sort of confided in Alice and Dana. We didnt tell them the whole story, some of it they guessed and ah .. some of it we sort of, you know gave away. Im sorry I know you trusted me and..
Bette wouldnt even let Shane finish this thought. The last thing Bette wanted was for Shane to be upset: No, No Shane, listen it was selfish of me to even make that kind of request of you and Kit. I should have spoken up sooner. Thanks for keeping it as long as you did. I realize now what a burden it has been and I never should have gotten you involved in such a promise to begin with. Besides Shane, after all that you have done for me how could I be upset with you. Bette is smiling a warm and sincere smile meant to convey love and understanding during this exchange with Shane.
Alice was watching what was going on between Bette and Shane. She was struck by how open Bette was. This was a Bette who didnt seem to have any agenda at work. Here was Bette not blaming anyone else for her woos in life. The old Bette would have been throwing a fit if some little secret about her life had been revealed let alone one as dark as a suicide attempt. Wow, this really is a different Bette.