Thank you for the book. That meant a lot to me. I wish you were here too.

Me too.

I want to meet you. For real this time. Pick a place, I’ll be there, I promise. Tomorrow?

Bette, it can’t be tomorrow. I always get your letters later than “tomorrow” from your time.

I don’t care what date. I’ll wait. How about December 19, 2010?

Ok. Relax. I’ll see you then.

Tee, where do you want to go?

Il Mare

Bette went to the city. She went to the restaurant Tina chose and booked a table for two.

“Hi, I would like to make a reservation.”

“For when?” The receptionist asked.

“For December 19, 2010.”

The receptionist looked up. “You would like to book a table for two for a date that is two years from now.” The receptionist confirmed.

“Ok. We can accommodate that.” The receptionist skeptically said. “Under what name?”

“Porter. Bette Porter.”

Bette then proceeded to a florist and arranged for a bouquet of yellow roses delivered to Tina’s address two years from the day after.

Morning came and Tina was woken up by a soft knock on her door. She opened it and saw a delivery man with a huge and beautiful bouquet of yellow roses in his hand.

“Tina Kennard?”

“Yes?”

“Sign here please.” Tina signs the paper. “These are for you.” The man handed Tina the bouquet and a gift wrapped package.

“Thank you.” Before she can say anything else the man was gone. She smelled the roses and took the card. What she saw made her smile.

Tee,

I can’t wait to see you. Know that I’ll always be thinking of you. I’ll be there. I promise. Il Mare, it is.

Yours,

Bette

She opened the package and saw the book she asked Bette to look for at the train station. She opened the cover and saw that there was a small envelope with her name on it. She opened it and found an earring. It was an earring she lost before and she could not remember where and when she lost it. She smiled widely at the circumstances which led the earring back to her possession.

I got the flowers, the book and the earring. That was so sweet of you. Thank you very much. You have no idea how long I searched for that earring. I can’t believe you found it. You made my day. No. I take that back. You made my whole week!

I’ll see you too, Bette. I can’t wait to see you.

Bette can’t help but smile at Tina’s letter. She was glad that she was able to put a smile on Tina’s face.

“I’ll see you, Tee. I’ll wait for you. I promise.” Bette whispered to herself.

December 19, 2010. Tina was at Il Mare. The same receptionist was at the door.

“Hi, I’m meeting someone.”

“Under what name?” The receptionist asked.

“Porter.”

“Porter.” The receptionist repeated with a smile before showing Tina where her table was.

Hours passed but there was no Bette in sight. Much to Tina’s heartache, she had to admit that it really was too good to be true. Bette was too good to be true. She left the restaurant when it was closing with a very heavy heart and a wounded ego. Needless to say, she was stood up.