Bette had been at the gallery since 8am, checking over invoices, and making sure that the mid-morning delivery of art was running as shceduled. She had dedicated all of her time to the gallery.
After all, she had worked very hard to build this business from the ground up, and become
successful. There never was much time for any social life, although every single female wanted her and she knew this. She did ocassionally take that to her advantage, and end up spending the evening with someone, only to leave them in the morning and never speak to them again. The love thing never reached her. And nobody ever caught her eye seriously. The business was too important with her.
While sitting at her desk going over invoices, the door to the gallery opened and closed. She could hear what sounded like a shy, soft-spoken female talk, “Oh my god Kal, that is absolutely beautiful.”
And then another voice, this a little deeper, “Yea..ok…If you say so. Can we go now?”
“C,mon, just a few more minutes.”
Bette stepped out of her office and was instantly stopped in her tracks. My god, she thought.
She is absolutely gorgeous, and just my type thought Bette. Blue jeans, tank top and comfortable running shoes. Bette could feel the butterflies deep in the pit of her stomach. Wow she thought, no woman has ever given me butterflies before, not even that hot honey I had last week. Take it easy Porter, be calm and persuasive…very persuasive..
Bette walked up to Tina, and extended her hand, “Hi. I’m Bette Porter.”
“Hi” said Tina
“I see you are admiring this art work here.” said Bette as she pointed to the piece on the wall. “It’s very beautiful and it also happens to be my favorite in the whole gallery.”
“Mine too. So far.” said Tina.
“It also happens to be one of the most expensive in our gallery also. But, it is very worth it. If you are interested, I could show you the figures on it.”
“How many figures?” asked Tina almost afraid to ask.
“Alot.”
“I don’t think Brad would let me take out a small loan to buy a picture to hang on the wall of my apartment, if it costs as much as you are suggesting.” said Tina
“Brad?” asked Bette
“My boyfriend.” answered Tina.
“Oh.” said Bette, “Well, that’s too bad.”
“Huh?” asked Tina
“It’s a shame that he wouldn’t let you get this painting for yourself. If he could see your eyes and how they shine for this art, he would probably let you get it.” said Bette.
“Na. He’s a tight *****.” said Tina
” Well, I would get it for you. I would spoil you with whatever you wanted.”
Tina smiled, and looked down at the floor.
“How much for the art?” asked Tina.
“25,000.” answered Bette
Tina’s jaw dropped, “*****.” she said loudly.
Bette smiled at the response which just happened to be the same response she got from everyone else when she mentioned this small detail.
Kalli walked up behind demanding in a nice way that they go now. Tina wanted to stand all day and admire that one art piece.
“Well, Miss Porter, it was nice talking to you. I’ll be back when I rob that bank just down the street form here.” said Tina with a smile.
“Don’t let them see you leave….You are more than welcome to come back at any time. I could show you the rest of the gallery and some other art that has come in but hasn’t made it to display yet. See if there is something else you might like to have. I may be able to help you find something, afterall, we both seem to share the same love for art.”
“Sounds great.” said Tina as she turned to leave.
Tina left with thoughts of Bette and how beautiful she was. God, I’ll bet her man is happy to have her on his arm when they go anywhere.
As the following week went by, Bette opened the gallery early and always closed late, hoping that this beautiful mystery woman would show back up and take Bette up on her offer, or anything else she may want to give.
Finally,one Friday evening, Bette was again sitting at her desk, when she heard the door open and shut. She listened and heard that same soft voice again.
“This is the one I was talking about,babe.” said Tina.
“How much?” asked Brad. Immediately, Bette was a little agitated at the voice she heard since it was male. Where is this jeaousy thing coming from?This girl isn’t mine, and I’m already jealous of her being with someone else. OOpppss..here come the butterflies again..dammit..this is crazy.
“25.”
“25 what?”
“Thousand.” said Tina as she winced and clenched her teeth at his response.
“Absolutely not. I cannot ***** afford such a painting. Only for it to hang on the wall for noone else besides me to see? Nope. Sorry.”
Just then Bette walked up, “Back to take another look?” she asked with a wink and a smile.
Tina had no idea exactly what that comment was for especially since there was a wink and a smile behind it. Bette knew exactly what she was saying.
“Feel free to look around for a while, and if you need anything, I will be in my office. Just right over there.” said Bette as she pointed to it. She then turned around to walk away.
She walked back to her office and stood at the door watching Tina browse the gallery.Butterflies began again, as she watched Tina walk, watched her hand movements, watched her look at the paintings with love in her eyes.
After watching her for a few minutes, she watched Brad walk up and grab this woman’s arm.
“Come on baby, movie remember?”
“Yea..Yea..Babe, go on over next door and get the tickets, and come back over here. I should be done looking by then.”
“Ok.” he said as he walked off and out the door.
Bette decided to take her chance with this one. She walked over to Tina and asked, “Are you always being rushed?”
“seems that way doesn’t it?” smiled Tina
“I didn’t think you would come back. To see the rest of the gallery, I mean.” said Bette
“Oh, I love art. I could absolutely sleep here and think I was at home in my own bed.”
“That’s interesting.” said Bette checking Tina out a little further. ” I don’t believe I ever got your name.”
“Tina.Tina Kennard.”
“Okay, Tina Kennard, how about we get some dinner tommorrow night?”
“Um, I think you should know that I am straight.With man.” said Tina
“All I would like to do is take you to dinner. We can discuss art, and talk about what makes you love it so much. Or anything else you might want to talk about.”
“I really don’t think Brad would like that too much.” said Tina
“Do you always tell him everything?”
“I think that honesty is the best policy.”
“Well then, ” said Bette as she took a step towards Tina, “I have to be honest when I say that if you got out with me tommorrow for dinner, I will personaly deliver that painting that you love so much to you on Sunday.”
“Let me get this straight.” said Tina
“straight.” said Bette, “what a word.”
“Anyway,” said Tina, “you want me to have dinner with you and in return you are going to give me that expensive painting?”
“Honestly, it lights your eyes up. I would give it to you now, but I wanted to see you again, so I figured you would have dinner with me if I offered you the painting in return.”
Tina stood there smiling. “Well, Miss Bette Porter, I will go to dinner with you but I cannot let you give that painting to me.”
Just then, Brad walked in and up to Tina, “Got the tickets, babe. Let’s go.”
“It was very nice talking with you.” said Tina. Brad turned around and as they walked away, Tina looked back at Bette. Bette lifted her right hand and make a phone gesture to her ear, and with her mouth she motioned a ‘call me’ and then pointed down, ‘here’. and then she waved.
Tina smiled and motioned an ‘ok.’