Bette comes out of her reverie just as the art project site comes into view. She had gotten up and dressed by 6:30am to start the hour long drive to the storage facility where the sign was already securely mounted onto the tractor type vehicle that would transport it. The art project site was only a few miles up the road and the proprietor assured her that she would have no problem maneuvering the vehicle on the mostly dirt road, but if she had any worries he would follow closely behind.

The sign was a rusted metal frame with giant numbers and letters that spelled out “17 Reasons Why”. Jodi had seen the sign in L.A., and loved it. She talked incessantly about her vision to use it in an art project someday. Bette committed petty larceny with her friends Alice and Shane to obtain it. Then the sign was shipped cross country and reassembled in New York.

Now the moment of truth was upon her. Will Jodi accept this gesture in the spirit that it’s given or will she accuse Bette of invading her space and trying to control her? Bette didn’t know if Jodi would welcome her with open arms or simply dismiss her.

Bette thought back to her last conversation with Tina just the day before when they were discussing what Bette would say when she delivered the sign…

“Well if she doesn’t take you back after this grand gesture then she is a fool and I’m giving her more credit than she deserves.”

Bette couldn’t help but think that she herself might be the fool, and maybe Tina was giving her more credit than she deserved.

***

Bette stopped the vehicle. Jodi has her back to her but Tom (Jodi’s interpreter) sees Bette and gets Jodi’s attention. He points to where Bette is waiting. She dismounted the vehicle and is standing next to it shading her eyes from the sun so she can better see Jodi’s expressive countenance.

The first thing she notes in Jodi’s facial expression is annoyance probably at the interruption; then confusion; then recognition and surprise; and finally a genuine smile expressing joy and excitement. As Jodi gets closer Bette is able to see her eyes. She appears to be captivated but not with the vision of Bette Porter. What captivates her is the monstrosity perched on the tractor behind the beautiful woman. Bette waits for the gaze to shift to her; she waits for that welcome and warm embrace; she waits for the right time to say the words that would go along with the sign.