The Carlyle was on the Upper East side with a great view of Central Park. When Tina stepped inside the building she understood what Bette had been talking about when she had said that the place was steeped in history – she had been spot on. The décor was beautiful and Tina couldn’t begin to imagine how much dinner for three would cost her mother
“Wow “
“Can I help you ?” a maitre-de right out of an a Scott Fitzgerald novel stepped in front of them. Tina always got tongue-tied in dealing with people like this – lucky for her Bette was like her mother in how smooth she was with waiters and the like
“We are having dinner with Ms Emma Kennard “ Bette said giving the man a dazzling smile
“Certainly – if you step this way I will find out if she has arrived yet “
The restaurant they were shown to was a shrine to 30’s décor and Tina felt like she was on a film set. This was just fantastic and it felt like it had stepped out of The Great Gatsby.
Emma was sitting regarding the menu when she glanced up to see Bette and Tina coming towards her. She noted a number of things – the natural way that the two women were holding hands, Tina was slightly anxious – she was looking around her as if she was afraid of being thrown out. Bette – on the other hand was at ease. Dinner in such a high class establishment was nothing novel to the gallery owner. She had done a lot of thinking and she desperately wanted to make amends with Tina. She saw how Rosemary was with Bette – how they had a very easy relationship – that was something that she would give a lot of money to have with Tina. She stood up – it had been a long time since she had seen Tina looking so sophisticated – the blonde looked lovely – if Bette encouraged her to make an effort then maybe there was a chance that she wouldn’t be always stuck in dead end jobs.
“Hello darlings – you both look lovely “
“Hello mother “
“Emma – you look lovely as well “
“Thank you Bette – would you both like a drink while you are ordering ?”
“What do you recommend ?” Bette asked neatly giving Emma a chance to show off
“Their cocktails are legendary”
Bette pulled a chair out and waited for Tina to sit before pushing it forward again. She sat down next to Tina and smiled at Emma who had watched Bette’s gesture with silent amusement – that had been one of her “things “ to do for Kate – and now her daughter had an equally devoted partner.
“What do you think ?” Bette looked at Tina
“Fine – thank you mom “
“My pleasure “ Emma gestured for a waiter who oozed across. Emma spoke quietly to him and he nodded – made a note and walked away again.
“This is nice – thank you for coming “
Regardless of everything – Emma was nervous and both younger women could sense that
“How are your parents Bette ?”
“Tina has seen mom more recently than me “
“Really ?”
“I bumped into in the library this afternoon – we had a coffee and a doughnut outside. It was nice – she is fine “
“Your mom just hasn’t changed in over 30 years Bette and I am sure you know how alike you two are “
Bette smiled “I think its some debate as to whether I look like my mom more than Tina looks like you – the jury is out. But I know what you mean – mom is just strong and steady – she is amazing “
“She pointed out to me today that in their own ways that Peggy and you and mom and your mom Bette were trailblazers. That they were the first generation who could have it all. She reminded me what am amazing thing you did when you set up your firm mom “
Emma smiled “Thank you “
“How hard was it – to over come all that sexism ?” Bette asked as their cocktails were delivered – they looked lethal. Bette watched as Tina took a sip and nodded
At the same time the waiter handed Tina and Bette menus. Tina hoped the prices weren’t on the menu because if it was she might only be able to order a plain salad. But it wasn’t the sort of establishment that put their prices on the menu. She glanced at Bette who was looking unruffled – she was sipping her cocktail as she studied the menu. For all the times she had been taken to posh places like this by her parents Tina still felt uncomfortable and out of place. Unlike Bette who was acting like she was born to eat in places like this.
“Sexism was horrendous – made it worse that I was very out about my sexuality – my two co-partners couldn‘t have made the firm without me. They are good in their own way but – Kennard, Black and Truman is 80% about me “
Tina winched- that sounded like a very arrogant thing to say – typical of her in so many ways.
“That was a very brave thing- did you ever consider staying in the closet ?”
“I did think about it and while I was working for Collingwood and Finn I was discreet about my sexual preferences”
“You were ?” Tina didn’t think her mother had ever been “in “
“It may amaze you Tina but yes – I was 24 and I could have easily been frozen out by the partners “
“So what brought you out into the open ?” Tina asked genuinely curious
“A pretty co-worker called Kate Pierce who had been outed by a senior partner who she wouldn’t sleep with “
“MOM ! “ Tina said in surprise
“Yes “
“Really ?”
“Yes – Kate and I were the same age – she was as beautiful as her daughter is now “ Emma smiled at Tina as she told her story “ She was much more introverted than me as I am sure you have heard Bette “
“Yes “ Bette smiled
“Kate was getting harassed by a partner who believed that promotion should depend on how well you sucked his dick “
“Ugh “ Tina said shaking her head
“Exactly – and it was as impossible for Kate as it would have been for me or I imagine for either of you two”
“You can say that again “Tina said
“She told him why she couldn’t oblige and he started to bully her “ Emma sipped her cocktail “Which is something I couldn’t allow. That was when I decided to bring forward my plans for my own firm. Yes it was hard Bette but I do not regret it and Kate was my rock when we set the firm up. Once we made a profit that was when we decided that we wanted a family “
“Enter T Kennard “ Bette said grinning “That’s a fantastic story Emma “
“True story “ Emma said “ Come on you two – lets order some food – I am starving even if the two of you are not. “
“Do you eat here very often mom ?” Tina asked
“Yes – I like it here – I love the history “
“That’s what has always struck me about this place” Bette agreed
“Oh – you have been here before Bette ?”
“Many years ago – it’s a long story “
“Which Bette has only just told me and I think she needs to fess up “
Bette laughed “Lets order first “
“Okay – then I want to hear the details “ Tina said laughing at her partner
“Is this a good one ?” Emma asked
“It sounded very good “ Tina replied “And Bette isn’t going to eat until she tells me”
“Okay – food first – what is really good here Emma ?”
“The fish is first class “
“Cool – I love fish “
Bette handed the menu to Emma “ You pick for me “
“Really ?”
“Yeah – its been a few years and you know how grumpy Tina gets if she doesn’t eat every few hours”
Tina laughed but she liked what Bette was doing – deferring to Emma was a neat trick. It took someone VERY secure in herself to be so gracious and not concerned by their luxury surroundings. It also showed Emma that Bette was not easy to intimidate – Tina adored Bette for her confidence.
“Pick me something good with chicken mom “ Tina followed Bette’s lead
“Would you like me to cut the chicken up for you as well darling “
“No thank you mom – I can manage “ Tina smiled. So far it all seemed to be going well. Emma studied the menu – she gestured for the waiter and placed the three orders
“Any sort of wine you prefer ?” Emma asked
“We will leave that to you – mom is a wine expert “ Tina told Bette
“Really ?”
“That is a joke from my daughter – what she means is that I drink a lot of it “