Chapter 11

Bette sat in her office, staring into space as she pretended to finish up the last of the paperwork for the gallery’s grand opening. It had been a stressful week tying up loose ends and finally getting back the majority of her artist line up. With the addition of Catherine Opie to the mix, it was sure to be a success, but she still felt the weight of an emotional burden.

The paperwork in front of her was just an excuse to let her mind wander. She thought of Alice, the night they met, their first actual date, the laughter they shared, and then finally the argument they had right before Alice stormed from her office not to be heard or seen from since. Then again, Bette made no move to contact her either other than the time or two she started to pick up the phone before talking herself out of it.

Truth was, she missed quick witted, gossipy blonde a lot more than she really cared to admit out loud.
Bette glanced between the papers in her hand and the phone that stared forebodingly at her for the past week. Once again, she contemplated calling the woman she had shared the last 6 weeks of her life with and sighed.

“This is ridiculous,” she said finally, throwing down the papers and pen as she anxiously retrieved the phone. “Just call her already, Porter.”

Bette took another deep breath, slowly dialing each number carefully. It rang once… twice… Alice picked up in the middle of the third ring.

“Hello?” came the answer.

“Alice? It’s Bette…” A distinctive click could be heard followed by the monotonous dial tone. ‘I deserved that,’ Bette thought, and quickly hit redial. It rang once before she heard Alice pick up.

“Alice don’t hang up,” she said hastily figuring she would do exactly that.

“I have absolutely nothing to say to you.”

“I understand. You have every right to hang up on me again. I just…”

“I’m glad you see things my way.” The phone clicked again followed by the dial tone.

“Dammit, Alice,” Bette cursed at her stubbornness that very near rivaled her own. Once more she speed dialed the number. It rang once before Alice picked up again.