We talked for a few more hours until Bette realized that it was time for her weekly call from her sister Kit who was in rehab for her alcoholism.  When she shared that info about her sister I realized that the strangely comfortable feeling was mutual.

So we left ‘The Planet’ and drove back to the gallery where we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways.  And now here I am smiling thinking back on this amazing Wednesday, wondering what the future holds.

Dear Diary,

The last week has been amazing, since I wrote in you last I have seen Bette everyday for lunch which has been wonderful to just be able to sit with someone feeling totally comfortable in their presence and last night was what I think was our first date.  I know a 25 year old woman should know what a first date is but it was nothing like the nervous sweaty palms kind of first date that you hear about and that I’ve had previously.

She picked me up at my apartment at seven, took me to this little Italian restaurant, Guida’s not too far from the gallery and the food was amazing.  I got the Chicken French and to my surprise Bette got the Fettuccini Alfredo, I never would have thought that Bette with that amazing body of hers would eat an alfredo dish.  Anyway, it was a perfect dinner between the food, wine, atmosphere and of course who I was with.  The owner Anthony even came out to see how we were enjoying our meal, apparently Bette was a regular there.  I have to admit with that knowledge I got a little jealous, did she bring other women here too? 

Bette must’ve noticed my mood shift so she looked over at me and said “They have the best take-out menu for Italian food around.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stopped to pick it up on the way home from the gallery.  Anthony is the best, his grandmother is ‘Guida’ from the name and he’s told me before that the recipes are hers.”

I smiled slightly, happy that it wasn’t her place that she took a lot of women, that it was ‘our’ place.

The night continued and we sat, talked and drank until the restaurant closed.  It was only at that point that we realized how late it really was.

She drove me back to my apartment, walked me to my door, “Tina, thank you for coming to dinner with me, it was an amazing evening.” and then she hugged me.

I asked if I could see her again today but it didn’t work out because she had previous plans from weeks ago to help out her friend Alice, the one that I had met at the gallery last week.

She leaned in again to hug me and whispered into my ear, “but I’ll call you as soon as I can tomorrow.”  Then she walked back to that amazing red Mustang of hers and drove off with a wave.

I stood there smiling like an idiot for sure.  This woman was, wow.

Dear Diary,

This is a quick once since it’s only been a few hours from my last entry but just a few minutes I got a flower delivery, a single red rose.  It had this fancy envelope with it that had this note written in the most beautiful handwriting, ‘Tina I had a wonderful time with you last evening, I hope to spend more time with you.’ ~Bette~

I have never gotten a flower that has meant as much to me as that one, or a note that held such importance.  There would be nothing I would like more than to spend more time with Bette.