Twenty Questions

Chapter Six


Bette had come in early because the people from W & E were there to do her makeup and her hair.

Ms. Porter, do you mind if I ask you a few questions, while you are getting ready? The journalist was a woman named Paige Hill and she had come early and would be spending a few days here trying to capture who Bette Porter was.

No, Mrs. Hill, go ahead.

Paige will do ok.

Fine, as will Bette,


Part I

Bette, slowly but surely you name is becoming one to be reckoned with. How do you feel about that?

As long as people notice, then I would say Im doing a pretty good job.

I imagine from the events at the CAC, the broadcast with Mrs. Buckley, and the meeting with Mrs. Peabody, that you yourself have found your head spinning.

That I have, and I think its time for a nice little vacation. Bette was laughing on the outside but in the inside she was dreading where this might go. She knew no one knew about her and Tina, and the questions were bound to come up. She didnt know how to answer them when they did.

I imagine, that with the word spreading through the grapevine, that tremendous offers are being thrown your way. Do you plan to stay here in L. A.?

I do, here is my home.

Being a successful art director, woman, and in a committed relationship, how do you just find the time to just get away with she only had to look down at her notes for Bette to know she was searching for Tinas name. So Bette helped her out.

Tina,

Right, Ms. Kennard. And how is she doing might I ask. Her hair was all done and her makeup was as well and they were waiting for in the gallery for the shoot.

Im sorry Im needed, thankful she didnt have to answer.

Yes, we will have to finish later, and turned her tape recorder off.

They took pictures of her in her office, first sitting in her chair, then leaning by her desk, and sitting on her couch. She felt weird taking pictures, because she remembered the last ones she took were of her and Tina.

She was in her train of thought in her last pose when the photographer yelled for a brake. He called Bette and when she saw the pictures she covered her mouth. All the poses she had been in, the ring that she had come to place around her neck was visible in each shot. She still had her ring on her hand and couldnt make herself take it off, for then it would have only been the reality of things really ending between them. With Tina not wearing hers that had been heartbreaking enough, but as long as she had it, she knew it was safe.


Part II

So word has it Kit Porter is your sister?
Yes she is. Im very proud of her.

And just to let you know what everyone else does, we recently did our little poll, and it seems that you are one of the hottest women coming into her own right now. Any comment on that.

Bette laughed,

Um thanks I guess

And word also has it that the ring around your neck belongs to the very own Ms. Kennard herself. So does that mean that you are now on the market? Care to explain?

Not to let her temper get the best of her she said as calmly as she could,

Look, Mrs. Hill, if you dont mind Id like to keep my personal things personal, if you want to talk about art, the CAC, Mrs. Peabody or anything else it would be my pleasure. Knowing that was her cue, she changed the subject.

All right, in every issue we do twenty questions, you up for it? Ill give you the questionnaire and I will pick it up tomorrow before I leave.

Sure, ok she knew they would be simple questions.


Bette went back home and before she could go to bed she sat at her desk and studied the questions.

Which living person do you most admire? Person I most admire, her.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? The trait, without question is impatience of course.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? The trait in others, I would have to say arrogance.
What is your favorite journey? My favorite journey would definitely have to be anywhere as long as she is with me.
What do you most dislike about your appearance? I think my appearance is fine as long as she is by my side.
Which talent would most like to have? I wish I could sing, so I could serenade her at night.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be? I would change so I could be more patient.
What is that you most dislike? I most dislike hurting the ones I love.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Having her in my life is the greatest anything ever.
What do you most value in your friends? I value the love that they have and give.
What is your motto? Motto, um maybe love is all there is.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Perfect happiness I know is having her here with me.
What is your most treasured possession? My wedding ring on my finger is something I can never be without.
Who are your heroes in real life? My friends but my sister rises above any hero that could exist.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? The lowest depth of misery is, not having her here with me.
How would you like to die? I could only leave this world, in her arms.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? The greatest love, her and only her.
What quality do you like most in a woman/man? One of the best qualities she has is her laughter.
What is your greatest regret? God knows I regret hurting her.
What is your greatest fear? Greatest fear, easy she thought, losing her altogether.

What a time to answer such questions.
She laughed to herself then took out her notepad and wrote down her answers.
Satisfied with her answers she went to bed.