The Adventures Of Bette Porter And Sissee Gardner After Yale (Part 7, Chapter 5)
PART SEVEN: VENICE, CALIFORNIA

Chapter 5

Just as Bette had described it, the conference room at the Hyatt was perfect. It was small and very private. There were about six wing-back chairs with a few circular tables separating them with reading lamps on them. It would give us a neutral place to have our talk with Howie.

We got there a few minutes before he did. I was surprised and even proud of Bette when she did not order a drink on the way in. I thought she might get something strong to bolster herself for what could turn into a very nasty scene but I suspected she wanted to be in total control of who she really is, contrary to her last, relaxed meeting with Howie at the Skyline when they both had too much to drink.

I do not mind saying that I was a nervous wreck by that time. Bette was going to light up a cigarette and I asked her not to. She respected my request but was obviously also, agitated. She sat down and then got up and paced the floor until we heard Howie’s knock on the door, after which he poked his head in, saw us and entered, closing the door behind him..

He looked the same. He had on a sport jacket and slacks with a dark tie. His thick hair was a bit unruly and his mustache needed trimming. He was Howie – ruggedly handsome, easy going, casual, yet, I was remembering his old fashioned ways and conservative ideals as he stood there for an awkward moment, looking first at me and then at Bette and back and forth again.

Bette sat down to my right. We had agreed in advance that I would be the one to tell him..

“Hello, ladies,” said Howie, attempting to be cheerful, putting his hands in his pants pockets. “You’re both looking very somber. What‘s going on?.”

“Sit down if you want to,” I suggested, nodding my head toward one of the chairs.

He took a chair that was close to the door, leaving several empty ones in between us. In that position he could see both Bette and I clearly.