The week went by with a gray cloud hovering over it. Tina had taken the rest of the week off to heal physically and grieve her loss. Bette went back to work to busy her mind, not yet shedding a tear about their son. She was soaking up all of Tina’s pain; all of her agony was weighing heavily on Bette’s heart. Tina never left her bed, only getting up to use the bathroom. She didn’t eat on her own, shower or change her clothes the whole week. She only ate when Bette forced her to. Bette was stressing the whole week, Tina at home, the loss of their son, the Fae Buckley ordeal, and Provocations. Franklin was riding her ass as the Provocations exhibit was nearing. She was scheduled to meet with the exhibit construction supervisor, with everything going on, she had completely forgotten.

“Bette,” James said as he poked his head in.

“Yes James,” Bette sighed, and James walked in closing the door behind him.

“Your one o’clock with Candace Jewel is here.”

“Shit,” she whispered, “fuck I completely forgot. I’m so un-fucking-prepared.”

“You want me to reschedule.”

“No, that won’t be necessary, she’s already here. Bring her in, and just stay here, if I miss something, please interject.”

“You got it boss,” James said and walked out to get her. James came back shortly with Candace, she walked in and her hair was in a long braid. Her skin was just like Bette’s, a beautiful silky mocha with the most beautiful set of brown eyes. She wore a white wife beater and denim overalls. Bette looked up and for a second, Candace caught her attention, only for a second, then Bette had only one thing on her mind; getting out of there as fast as possible to see Tina. But Bette caught Candace’s attention for a lot longer than a second; she put on a smile as she approached Bette.

“Bette Porter, so lovely to meet you, I’ve heard wonderful things,” she said reaching out for Bette’s hand to shake.

“Thank you Ms. Jewel.”

“Candace, please,” she said with sensual smile.

“Ok Candace, have you worked in a gallery before?”

“Yes, I was contracted to the San Francisco Art Museum for three years and before that, I worked in Santa Barbara as an intern contractor. So I know my way around an art show.”