Chapter 9

Having always been an early riser was
a habit Bette still continued no matter how late she had been up the night
before. Quietly slipping out of the bedroom toward the kitchen to put on some
coffee she knew from her past morning encounters with Angie she was a coffee
drinker but her other house guest she was not so sure of so she set the kettle
on to boil too.

Drinking her first cup of the day
always gave Bette the time she needed to collect her thoughts and plan her day.
Many Saturday mornings had been spent putting plans into place making the whole
day very productive. However this morning like a few others she seemed to be on
top of everything and so the only thing she could think of that she had to
immediately do was run by the art supply store.

Over the years Bette had slowly
taken up painting again in her spare time. In the beginning it had been a way
of expressing her inter most feelings so she had sometimes painted for hours at
a time. But with the help of a good therapist painting had now become something
she derived great pleasure from because it aided her in capturing a memory
forever.

Hearing movement and voices from
the other room she got up and got two cups from the cabinet. Carefully setting
out the tea, sugar, and milk she waited for their noses to guide them to the
kitchen.

“Good morning Angie, Maggie.” She
said cheerfully as they appeared in the doorway.

“Please sit would you like coffee
or tea?”

“Good morning Dean Porter.” Angie
spoke in a soft voice filled with uncertainty,

“Thank you for last night at the
club and for letting us stay here last night.”

She said as she grabbed Maggie’s
hand in a calming manner.

As Bette started to rise from her
chair to serve her guests Angie said.

“Sit still Dean Porter. We can get
it.”

“Angie when we are alone it’s fine
if you call me Bette remember. And that goes for you too Maggie.”

As Maggie finished her tea she
looked in Angie’s direction and said Angie I really have to be getting home. I
need to shower and change I have to work for a couple of hours today.

Pulling out her cell phone Angie
indicated she would call them a cab.