It was then that she got the call from Peggy Peabody.  Peggy had decided to open a gallery in New York to exhibit some of her private collection as well as to showcase up and coming artists.  The first choice that Peggy had to open and run the gallery was Bette.  It would be an 8-12 month period of time that Bette would be needed and it could last indefinitely if Bette chose to stay on as the manager.  She called Bette to discuss the project, and to do her best to persuade her that this would be the opportunity of a lifetime.  Pay would be whatever Bette asked for and Peggy would put her up at one of her apartments at the Four Seasons.  Bette would have no out of pocket expenses as Peggy would take care of everything.  She repeated multiple times that both Bette and Tina would love the escape from LA and to look at this as an adventure.  Bette listened to the offer and said that she would have to get back to Peggy with an answer.  She knew that this could be the lifeline that was needed to help pull her out of the abyss that she had fallen into, but knew that to give an answer at this time would be premature.  Peggy said that she hoped that she would at least discuss the offer with Tina and to get back to her within two weeks.  Bette told her that if she were to accept the proposal, she would be coming to New York most likely on her own.  There was a pause from Peggy, but all she said was that that is up to you dear.

As Bette hung up the phone, she thought about what this would mean.  If she were to go to NY, there would be no reconciliation with Tina.  There would be no possible chance of their working things out.  She also knew that she would have to at least try one more time with Tina before she gave an answer to Peggy.  She owed that to herself, to Tina and to them as a couple.

She made up her mind as to how to approach Tina on this and then left the office for the day to continue to think over the proposal.  New York she thought to herself, could be just the medicine needed.