Chapter 13 – Bettes Second Job

Bette is sitting in the office at her apartment. Actually it was the second bedroom which she had converted into an office. Up on the wall across from the door was a white board with an elaborate outline of activities, to the right a bulletin board with pictures of possible Au Pairs and descriptions and summaries beneath. Underneath the board is the desk that Bette is sitting at now with her laptop open. Pictures of Tina and Anna taken over the last two months where also plastered everywhere. It was here that she kept most of the items concerning Bettes second job. Well at least thats how she views this undertaking of hers. It was really more than a job, a life mission really was more apt a description. Bette spent most of her waking hours on these projects as she has set them up. Concentrating all of her desires on this goal of providing a better life for Anna and Tina and Bette worked tirelessly at it. This was new ground for Bette in that she usually broadcasts her intentions, gaining a certain amount of satisfaction from hearing herself talk but not with this mission. Keeping silent about these important matters, intensified Bettes thoughts and ultimately her actions. Bette thought so much about Tina and Anna that by not talking to anyone meant that she HAD to act. Without the outlet that her actions created, Bette would have lost her mind. These actions allowed her to gain a sense of peace within herself.

Anticipating Tinas needs is an impossible act it seems as much as Bette thought she knew Tina, she was actually learning more about Tina daily. It appears that Tina when given choices to make and not being overpowered by Bette, makes choices that are 180 degrees away from those that Bette would make. Bette had always thought that they were in lock step with the direction and choices that they had taken in the past. Its not like the choices where huge life changing decisions but little things from the color of the living room walls to the type of carpeting. As Bette thought back to when they picked out different things in the house, it was her strong impression that they had come to the choices together but now as she takes a look again at her memories with a third eye perspective, Bette realizes just how most of these choices had been hers and Tina had just gone along with her. Had that been a pattern for all of their joint decisions, Bette making her choice known and Tina going along?

Bette wondered to herself once again, how I ever figured out things that Tina wanted in the past. Of all the gifts that Bette had bestowed upon Tina, she always seemed enthralled with each one. Sitting here, Bette was now questioning whether Tina was just being nice or if she really liked everything. As Bette sat there reviewing the report that Grace had just emailed her with the review of the symposium, things looked to be on track. Well at least I seem to have gotten this part right. Bette says at loud after reading Graces report.

Grace had seemed genuinely taken with Tina. She confirmed that Bettes description of Tinas abilities and desires where right on track and she was eagerly waiting for their project to start and begin working in earnest with Tina.

Bette sent Grace a quick reply thanking her once again for taking on this venture and for the quick report.

Please keep me posted and if any hurdles develop as I would like to know immediately. Thanks again, Bette Porter

Looking around her little office Bette sees all the neat stacks of her work, in this pile are all the final reviews of the au pairs from her investigator along with the Au Pair agency report. Next to that are the plans for the event Bette is putting together with Oscar as a collaboration between the Center and the CAC, next the grant application requirements placed for her final review, next the beginning of school investigations to best find a place for Anna, next .

That is just the tip of the stacks. Bette stands up and needs to get out of the office and maybe get some fresh air. Its times like this that Bette misses the physical presence of Tina. Its hard to describe this feeling of want. Despite all the things that Bette knows about Tinas and Annas daily life, which coupled with her memories of Tina, just are not enough to replace the physical feel of Tina. Bettes body is rebelling all the cerebral effects of Bettes brain and simply wants to touch Tina. Yes it was everything that goes with the physical aspect of being in someones presence. The smell, the feel, hearing their voice all the things that Bette desperately missed. Walking up to one of the pictures of Tina holding Anna, Bette traces their faces with her forefinger. She intensely realizes that she herself has never held this precious little girl. This ache was all consuming tonight and Bette needed some activity to get these thoughts out of her mind.

This was the frame of mind that Bette found herself when Alice called Hey Porter what are you up to tonight?

Alice, just the ticket that Bette needed to get out of her funk and get the space for a breather. Alice what ya got in mind?

****
Alice was sitting at a table near the bar when Bette walked in. The live band playing tonight must have been on break as music was playing but it wasnt so blaring that the two of them could talk a little.

Hey Alice, thanks for calling me. I really needed this tonight. Thanks Bette starts out as a way of hello and giving Alice a look of appreciation.

Anytime. I think that Shane may show up in a little while. You want a drink the girl is just over there. Alice says as she starts waving the waitress down.

Getting the drinks out of the way Alice settles down into her mission tonight Bette I met your friend. Alice starts. True to their agreement Alice has no intention of mentioning Tina or the fact that she had accompanied Tina to the symposium.

Bette smiled to herself with Alices beginning. She knew of the omission and also that Alice was fishing with the your friend intro. The question was should she act dumb as to what friend or should she act like she knows what Alice was talking about. She decided on vague OH

Alice looks at Bette not appreciating her fuzzy response Yeah, you know your friend Jackie Heartwell. Alice replies.

Bette just smiles and nods still not providing any more than necessary.

OK enough with the one syllable answers Bette, tell me about her. Alice now is playing on Bettes play field.

Im sorry Alice, I didnt realize that you where pumping me for information. What is it you were asking? Bette says as now she is playing with Alice but not really wanting to follow this line of questioning.

The works Bette, like is she still married? Does she have children? Did you meet her at Yale? Where you involve in getting her out here in LA and if so why? Come on Bette spill it. Alice now demands of Bette.

Bette raises her eyebrow at these questions. Alice has done some homework on Jackie but it seems she still has a long way to go and Bette doesnt really want to help her much. My my, my you really are just full of lots of questions tonight arent you? As Bette is saying this she just leans back in her chair and starts looking around taking in all the sights.

Well I asked her some of these already and she did a nice job of slipping many of the questions. Alice says without including that Tina had helped Jackie by changing the direction of the questions all the time.

You didnt ask you about children did you? Bette shoots back to Alice. Snapping Alice a sharp look to go with the question.

Surprised by Bette quick reply Ah Yeah I did why? Alice is watching Bettes face intensely trying to get any clues.

Well its just been a really difficult thing for Jackie, her and her husband tried for many years to get pregnant and ultimately they had little success. Its just not a topic I think Jackie wants to dwell on that all. Bette responses to Alice. Sitting here knowing that Alice is going to have many more questions Bette makes a snap decision which she knows will stop the interrogation.

Excuse me will you Alice? Bette says as she gets up and heads toward a beautiful blonde standing all alone at the bar.