As Tina and Cathy walked into the small, quaint gallery she
noticed the feel of subtle eloquence minus a hint of arrogance usually
associated with galleries who managed to continually snag top artists. In fact,
the whole atmosphere of the place from the space layout to the visual
perspective of the paintings enticing the viewer to an unguided tour throughout
the gallery was quiet relaxed. This was not at all what Tina had expected as
she recalled all of the stressful times when she had attended an artist
showcase hosted by Bette.

Looking around she knew they had arrived before most of the
crowd of guests had and now was the perfect time to view the paintings without
the interruption of some amateur critiques. You know the kind…those individuals
who interrupted your silent musings regarding your personal interpretation of
the artwork with a stolen phrase from a well known critic.

“Cathy I am going to go look around…I will meet you back here
in an hour. Go on mix and mingle…never know who you will meet at one of these
things…perhaps the love of your life.” Smiling softly she picked up a glass of
champagne from the server and walked away.

Tina admired the brush strokes and color choices utilized by
the artist as she looked at the painting of the familiar landscape she viewed
daily in her new home. But as she moved along to the next painting she was
captured and taken to another place and time. The landscape scene displayed an
aesthetically pleasing reminder of one of the happiest times in her life… a
beach in LA at sunset. She recognized in the distance a small secluded cove,
well off the beaten path for tourist that she and Bette had christened as their
own.

Moving throughout the gallery she viewed scenes of Mexico,
Bali, and France that matched the memories swirling around in her head of that
time in her life. Tina thought one landscape scene a coincident but five
different ones that fit her memories perfectly was just too much to be left to
chance.

Heading out of the room in search of the gallery owner…she
hoped she could answer some of her questions concerning the artist…AMB and the
paintings. Maybe she could meet the artist…she knew it was common for an artist
to attend their own showcase.

Setting her unfinished glass of champagne down on the server
tray the staff directed her to the gallery owner. Waiting patiently for a break
in the current conversation she introduced her self to the owner.