“So it’s the object of the reception. A current ‘best new thing’ in the art world.”

“Oh, temperamental artist time.”

“Temperamental I’m used to.” Bette gave a momentary smile. “No, this one’s a nightmare. A total fucking dilettante.”

“Harsh words from Ms. artistic freedom.” Alice continued helping herself from Bette’s breakfast. “This one not up to your lofty standards? Doesn’t bring art to its pinnacle?”

“Hardly,” Bette replied with a snort. “Art should comment. It should say something to society.”

“What does this artist say?”

“You’ve got money, give it to me.”

“But I don’t – oh, I get it. That’s the message.” Alice took a moment to put two and two together, getting at least three. “But isn’t that why you want someone like that for your big money donors? Get the cash flowing into the CU coffers?”

“Alice. You’re a writer. I’d think you would understand the difference between art and crass commercialism.”

“Yeah. Crass commercialism will put your kid through Yale a lot faster. So what’s so wrong…”

“Angie,” Bette muttered, ignoring Alice. She picked up the phone and pressed some numbers. “Hey Tina.”

“Look, I had a last-minute change. Can you take Angelica on Friday night?”

As Alice watched the one side of the conversation, she could tell how well things were going. “You’ve got plans. Yeah, I’d like to talk, also, but I’ve got to run. No, really, I promise, I’ll call.”

Bette tossed down the phone. “Shit!”

“Shit that you don’t have a babysitter or shit that Tina has plans.”

“Alice.” Bette looked at her plate, and started in on her food before Alice finished it off for her. “I’m glad Tina has plans.”

“Uh huh. As glad as you are to be throwing this reception.”

“This is not a matter for conversation, Alice.”

“Right.”

“So, are you free Friday night?”

“Depends? What’s in it for me?”

“Alice. There are only two answers here, yes or no.”

“I’d like to say I have plans, but I think I can sit for you.”

“That’s great.”

“So, what did Tina want to talk about that you didn’t?”

“Excuse me?”

“It sounded like she had something to say.” Alice shrugged. “From this side, anyway.”

“Probably wanted to tell me about her date. Whatever it is, I don’t have time right now.” Bette slid the plate across the table. “I’ve got to go.”

“See ya!” Alice dug in to what remained.

“Right.” As she was leaving, Bette answered another call. “Yes, James, I’m on my way in now. Where are we at?”

With the Bette-energy cleared away, Kit came back to the table and sat down. “Did she eat any of that?”

“Not much,” Alice admitted. “And it’s a shame, too. It was good.”

“Baby sister has her panties in a bunch this morning.”

“School stuff.” Alice speared the last bit of fruit. “Plus Tina’s got a date.”

That last bit of news interested Kit. “She does, does she? How was that received?”

“On a day like today, it’s tough to tell what’s beyond baseline crabby.”

“Well, if my sister wanted to do something besides be crabby, she could.” Kit flagged down a server to bring her a cup of coffee. “I worry about her. Jodi doesn’t take care of her the way Tina used to.”

“No one wants to take care of her the way Tina used to. Probably not even Tina at this point.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“Maybe.”

“So, you know anything about this woman – it is a woman, right?”

Alice nodded to the question.

“This woman Tina’s seeing?”

“Yeah, she’s cute, and she lives next door to Tina’s condo.”

The last bit seemed especially interesting to Kit. “Does Bette know this?”

“Yeah, she does.” Alice gave a self-satisfied smile. “I’m sure she does.”

(More?)