Chapter 24: Bette’s Turmoil

London, England, Normal POV, 16 years ago

Bette had been in Britain for nearly a year and her reputation as an artist was beginning to grow. However Bette as a person was beginning to fade away. Ever since she left Yale and Tina, Bette had begun to fall apart and the only thing she had left of Tina was a picture and a locket Tina had placed in her luggage

“Good morning Bette” Franklin became like a father to Bette, he was always looking to help her in some way to open up about her paintings

“Hey Franklin” Bette sounded depressed and full of grief. Franklin looked at her standing at the window looking out across the River Thames. Today was meant to be Bette and Tina’s one year anniversary

“Are you ok?” Bette removed the locket from underneath her shirt and opened it to reveal a picture of Tina and a picture of her and Tina. The locket was simple but intimate. Tina had FL&F (First, Last & Forever) engraved in the front. Tears began to threaten Bette’s eyes

“It’s just a day I’d rather forget” Bette turned to Franklin and closed the locket, tears brimmed her eyes “I take it you’re here to see my new painting” Franklin nodded, he never spoke to Bette about Yale or her life there because she never wanted to talk about it. Bette nodded and went into her studio, she came out with a covered up painting in hand. This piece was to be the piece that would make her famous “I called this one Unforgettable” Bette pulled the cover off to reveal one of the most beautiful paintings had ever seen. It was a montage of different pictures; most of them were Bette’s memories. Two lovers lying sleeping in bed wrapped in a loving embrace took centre and it was surrounded by different images two lovers holding hands to a mountain backdrop (second date), lying down on a picnic blanket next to a lake (night they made love), the first kiss outside the night club and the dance under the moonlight (first date). Each image flowed into the next and all leading to the centre image of the embracing lovers in bed

“Bette it’s magnificent, are all these images memories or just something that came to mind” Bette looked down at the floor to gather herself before answering Franklin’s question

“They’re memories” Franklin looked at Bette and saw the pain in her eyes. They were her memories of a lost lover whom she was deeply in love with

“I have no doubt that she would be very proud of you” Bette looked at Franklin surprised. Franklin shook his head “These are moments that should never be forgotten Bette and putting them down on canvas is one way to preserve them for throughout time” Bette felt a hot tear roll down her cheek “Whoever she is, she must be one special girl to be worthy of your love and I know if she was here now she would be so proud of you” Tears rolled freely down Bette’s cheeks, she nodded before Franklin stepped closer to her and brought her into his embrace. Bette had always shown Unforgettable in her exhibitions but never allowed Franklin to sell it even though it was in popular demand. It was a few months later Bette tried to take her own life.

TBC…