I had been in New York for more than a week and been spending most of my time with Helena. Yes I had been spending time with Helena but true to her words, had mostly been doing work for the centre. Helena and I had never had a proper work relationship before. Heck the time we first received the grant, Helena and I hit it off and we started going out. And when we broke up, Helena just disappeared. But now… this is different. The more I immersed myself with this newfound relationship with Helena, the less awkward things became. We have been doing nothing but work the last few days.

Yes it was all work with Helena this time except for that Sunday when we spent time with Jun Ying and Wilson. We went shopping and had picnic at the park. That night we went to see a play which Jun Ying insisted on seeing. They seemed to be enjoying the day and I must say I too enjoyed their company. It has been so long since Ive seen them let alone spend time with them. Jun Ying reminded me of Sarah; the girl I met on the plane to New York. And I just remembered how she wanted to meet up. So I decided I should give her a call before I fly home. And when I did, we made plans to meet up on Wednesday for coffee.

Sarah and I met up at Starbucks. Apparently this is the place she likes to hang out.

Sarah: So how are you?

Tina: Im good. I hope youve been a good girl.

Sarah laughed.

Sarah: Yes I have been. My mother was asking who I was meeting today.

Tina: Oh yeah? And what did you tell her?

Sarah: I told her Im meeting the person who made the trip home worthwhile.

Tina: Thats very sweet of you thank you.

Sarah: No, thank you. Im glad you decided to call me up for coffee. I didnt think youd call me.

Tina: Why wouldnt I? And I didnt receive any calls from you anyway.

Sarah: Because usually cool people dont want to hang out with kids.

Tina: Oh is that so?

Sarah: Yeah!

I smiled and let Sarah drink her Frappucino.

Tina: So you think Im cool huh?

Sarah: So you think Im sweet?

Tina: Smart *****!

Sarah: So when are you flying back to LA?

Tina: Oh Im flying home Friday so thats why Im spending time with you today. Cos I need to relax tomorrow and get things sorted out then. So todayIm saving the best for lastyou!!!

Sarah: Yeah right. I bet youve just been busy with work!

I chuckled. It just feels so good to just have a normal conversation about nothing in particular.

Tina: Yeah that too.

Sarah: You know I wish you could stay longer. For the weekend maybe.

Tina: I wish I could but all my work is done here and its time to go back.

Sarah: But you promised to take me to The Porter Gallery.

The mention of Bettes gallery made my heart skipped a beat. Ive spent my free afternoons sitting at a caf opposite her gallery and waited for her to come out. Every time I see her coming out she always looks happy. And I just feel its not the right time for me to come and barge into her life when shes content with it. Everyday I waited at the caf waiting for her waiting for the right time to go and talk to her but I couldnt get the courage to. But I have been at the caf everyday and I just dont see and dont know when the right time would be.

Sarah: Tina? Earth to Tina!!!

Tina: Oh err sorry Sarah. I was just

Sarah: Thinking about Bette.

Tina: What?

Sarah: Yeah you heard me, you were thinking about her.

Tina: I was thinking when I would be able to take you to her gallery Thats what I was thinking.

Sarah: Sure you were So. Did you meet up with her?

Tina: Meet up?

Sarah: Oh come on Tina. You said you were going to the gallery for the new show. So did you get to see her and talk?

God, I dont know how this happen. Im actually sitting at a caf and talking to a sixteen year old about Bette.

Tina: You know, you sound like my therapist.

Sarah: You have a therapist?

Tina: HAD a therapist. Bette and I, we had a therapist to talk things over between us. But he was such an ***** oops Im sorry.

Sarah: Dont worry so this therapist of yours?

Tina: Yeah well we see him like twice a week but things just got worse. It was horrible. And we started going to a group therapy and man wasnt it just the end of us. Bette started to have fight with this other woman who accused Bette of hiding herself from her blackness through her fair skin. It didnt really work.

Sarah: So Bettes black?

Tina: Shes half black. Her dad was but her mom wasnt. But yeah the therapy didnt work, however much we, well I wanted it to.

Sarah: Oh Im sorry to hear that. I know how it is. My parents went to marriage counselling. And that too didnt work. I think its much better to talk to friends for free than to pay fuckload of money for someone to just listen to your problems. Im sorry I didnt mean to swear.

Tina: Yeah you shouldnt swear!

Sarah: They actually dont care much about you… they just want your money. But then dont you think Hey!

Tina: What?

Sarah: You sidetracked me!

Tina: What I did not! (While trying to hide the smirk)

Sarah: Yeah you did!

Tina: Nope. (I brought the coffee to my mouth)

Sarah: Ok fair enough. So did you see her? Did you see Bette?

I did sidetrack her. I managed to change the subject but only for a while. Damn this kid is smart.

Tina: Well I did see her but I didnt get to talk to her.

Sarah: What? You flew all the way here and you didnt talk to her? Thats thats hmm I was going to swear but Man you shouldve talked to her. What does she look like?

Tina: Beautiful as ever! God you shouldve seen her. She looked amazing. Her smile was just breathtaking

Sarah: So why didnt you talk to her?

Tina: Because she was with someone.

Sarah: Oh.

Tina: Yeah. Thats why I couldnt talk to her as much as I wanted to.

Sarah: But you know what? Im going to swear now. Thats bullshit! You can talk to her you know? Why shouldnt you? You obviously love her. And I know shes happy and all but you gotta at least talk to her. But dont expect anything. Just talk you know? As friends. It cant hurt.

Tina: I dunno if I can do that. Maybe some other time

Sarah: Yes you can. If you dont do it sooner you never will!!! Look. I have a plan.

Tina: You have a plan for me?

Sarah: For us! This is your life Tina!!!

I looked at her not believing. What is she working on now?

Tina: Ok a sixteen year old has a plan for me for us!!! To mend my life in fact!

Sarah: Hey you want to listen or what? Just hear me out ok?

I sighed.

Tina: Okay Im listening.

Sarah: Ok you are going to take me to her gallery. And then you will talk to her then.

Tina: Thats your plan?

Sarah: Yeah.

Tina: (Eyes rolling) Thats GENIUS!!

Sarah: Oh come on! Ill be there. It beats going alone. At least if things dont work out youll always have me around!

Tina: Hmm its tempting but

Sarah: Tina, youre not only going to be able to talk to her I will be able to look at some art. I really need this please? I have an assignment due next week. So this is a good

Tina: Ok ok fine.

Sarah: Fine? So youll go?

I nodded.

Sarah: Cool Oh but we can only do this Friday.

Tina: What?!?!?! My flight is on Friday!

Sarah: Change it.

Tina: You expect me to change it?

Sarah: Yes why not? Its for your own good!

Tina: Oh come on!! Why cant we go tomorrow?

Sarah: Cos I have a school trip to another gallery thats why. So please!!!!

Sarah tugged on my sleeve, pleading for me to stay

Tina: Ok. Ok fine! Ill cancel my flight and see if I can get a seat on Saturday.

Sarah: Cool. Thank you. So you will meet me here on Friday morning ok?

Tina: I cant believe Im doing this. Following a plan of a 16 year old!

Sarah: Trust me! You wont regret it!!!!

Tina: Ok.

The rest of the afternoon was great. I cancelled my flight and shift it to Saturday. We just spent the rest of the afternoon drinking coffee and eating chocolate brownie. It was fun hanging out with Sarah. She doesnt seem like a normal sixteen year old. I guess shes more grown up than the rest of the girls her age.

Tina: Well, Sarah. It was very nice to have you. I really enjoyed this afternoon.

Sarah: Me too. So Ill see you again Friday?

Tina: Definitely.

Sarah: Dont quit on me now ok? I will call you Bye Tina.

It was six when we said our goodbyes. Four hours at Starbucks? I shook my head. Oh *****. Its already six? I have a dinner reservation with Helena at 7! Were celebrating the work done for the time I was here. And no it wont just be the two of us. It will be with a few other whom I was working with. We were there with three others Ive worked with; Carlton, Charlotte and Meena. Most of the time at The Peabody Foundation Ive been working with Meena; who deals with all the details of the grant. Helena wanted it to be just the two of us but I reminded her that the others should get invited as well since they too had put effort into making it all possible, and surprisingly she agreed.

Helena took us to celebrate at this swanky restaurant with huge dance floor and everything. The atmosphere there was amazing. The food was great, they bring out dishes after dishes and I felt like my stomach could explode. But I couldnt help but stuff myself with the wonderful food. The way they prepare the food here was excellent, I was almost afraid to eat them as it would have spoiled their presentation. But once I took a bite, it just couldnt be stopped.

The whole night was great. Everyone had a good time and Im glad that Carlton, Charlotte and Meena were here. It would feel awkward to have spent the evening here, in this amazing place, with Helena.

Helena: I hope youve had a good time tonight Tina.

Tina: I did. The food was nice; this place was tooit was great. Everything was just magnificent. Thanks.

Carlton: Well, it has been a pleasure to share the evening with you Tina. I hope we will continue to be of service to you when you return to LA.

Tina: Oh I will definitely stay in contact with you. Ive learned so much. And thank you Charlotte, Meena. I hope I havent troubled you while I was here.

Charlotte: No problem at all Tina.

Meena: It was great to have you here. Ive really enjoyed the time we spent. Theyve been very fruitful.

Tina: Well, Ive had a very good time tonight. Thank you. And please do let me know when you are flying to LA. I will be more than happy to make your stay more comfortable. Good night everyone.

Once outside, I hailed a taxi. I started to walk toward the taxi when Helena caught my hand.

Helena: Tina

Tina: Helena?

Helena: Ill send you back to your hotel ok?

Tina: Oh thats ok Helena. Ill be fine.

Helena let go of my hand. I opened the door to the taxi.

Helena: Oh ok. So. Ummm Ill see you in LA? Im flying off tomorrow cos I need to sort my mothers collection there. So your flight leaves on Friday right?

Tine: Ummm Im actually staying until Saturday. I just have something I need to do.

Helena stared at me for a moment and then shook her head and smiled.

Helena: Oh ok. I would love to spend time with you tomorrow but well Ill just see you in LA ok? I will be at the centre on Monday. You take care now.

She kissed me on my cheek and went back inside to join the rest.

Driver: Where to maam?

Tina: Eastgate Tower please. And do you mind driving by The Porter Gallery? Thanks.

I tilt my head and rest it on the door looking out to see the lights. Its still so bright outside with the street lighting. Friday The Porter Gallery I will finally walk through those doors again and this time actually meeting the woman of my dreams