Dylan:  And you Tina, how is your painting coming along?

Tina:  Well, believe it or not I have been more productive than I thought I was going to be. Today, if you tour the house, you will see my cityscapes in the dining room. I did eight of those. I also did a couple of nudes as a gift for Bette for our anniversary. And now I’m into a different subject matter altogether. And I asked you two in here as I have decided that my first piece in this series should belong to you. Therefore, if you will indulge me, I am going to make this painting a gift to you. This is your Christmas gift from us.

Bette: Don’t worry Helena, I’ll get you two a little something to unwrap at our Christmas party.

Helena: I certainly was not worried, Bette. You are always a most gracious hostess.

Tina: Helena and Dylan, if you two would come over here, I will present this to you. Now, if you don’t like it or it is something you would rather not have, just say so. I promise you that I can find a home for this painting. Let me just say that when I finished it, my heart said this painting belongs to Helena.

Bette went over and began to remove the covering off the painting.  Tina had made certain that the painting was in the best lighting in the room. When the cover came off, Dylan let out a gasp and moved quickly to Helena’s side. Helena’s eyes were full of shock and awe.

Helena:  Oh my god, Tina! This is so incredible. It’s so life like, it’s amazing. You really caught Mother’s eyes. Dad used to call them the devil’s dancing eyes. It is beautiful. I’m over whelmed.

Dylan:  Did you say this is your first portrait?

Tina:  Yes. This is my first portrait.  I started it a week or so after we got back from New Haven. She almost painted herself. The background took a little longer.

Helen stood there staring for several moments just absorbing the painting.

Helena:  You have included some of the things that she kept in her office that were so much her. Tina, I’m blown away by your talent. It’s beautiful.