She pointed at Alexander and he beamed a proud smile and waved. He continued to hold Tina by her arm as she smiled so proudly up at Bette as well.

“After that, I knew that art would be my whole world. That’s all I did from then on was eat, sleep and breathe art; it had consumed my world. By the age of twenty-eight, I had already established myself in the art world and had opened my first gallery in New York City, to whom my very best and close friend Allyn Barnes is the director.”

There was applause again, to which Allyn smiled and waved to everyone. Some people commented to her and shook her hand and Bette smiled down at her.

“And for the last seven years I had been working in museums and galleries, doing what I love, curating. The last four years being at the California Arts Center. After I left the CAC, I was in limbo and I didn’t know what was next. And my beautiful and brilliant wife persuaded me to open this gallery. Needless to say she convinced me pretty quickly and I am so grateful for that. This place is not only going to be a home for many artist showcases but in a couple of years I plan on opening my own private academy. I want to teach and offer degrees. Tina your idea and persuasion mixed with my dream spawned this magnificent place, I love you and am so lucky to have you. I also want to give a big thank you to Helena Peabody for realizing my dream and helping me build this enormous place. You really are a saint. A special thanks to Allyn Barnes for lending her mother’s work to us. The Alison Barnes Retrospective has not been seen in about thirty years and I am so honored and grateful to have this beautifully brilliant work here. Thank you.”

There was an enormous applause as Helena and Allyn came on stage and hugged and kissed Bette.

“I also want to take the opportunity to welcome to the stage James Preston, the assistant Director to The Bette Porter Art Gallery West. James has been with me for the last six years as my assistant and has been very dedicated to the art world as I. James.”

James came on the stage and hugged and kissed Bette and waved at the enormous applause he was getting. They both smiled at each other and hugged again. We did it he whispered in her ear.

“Thank you all again and enjoy the show,” Bette said and left the stage, joining Tina’s side once more. She was talking to everyone in sight; Peggy had taken another sabbatical in her vacation to come to the opening and was at her and Helena’s side. Bette had wanted to break away from the chatter and see the art but she knew she had all the time in the world to do so. Tina, Dana and Lara had gone to the bathroom and she felt someone walk up next to her.

“That was a very moving speech, I’m so glad I was here. There’s so much to say, I couldn’t have passed up the chance to see you again.”