Is this love
Chapter 6
　
“So how are you feeling today sweetie?” Emma asked as she poured another cup of coffee for her daughter. Tina had stayed the night which was something that Emma had been delighted about. She knew that Tina was feeling raw and vulnerable – a time at which she needed her mother.
“I am okay “
“How did you sleep?”
“Fine “Tina said “I always do here “
“Good – you know that you are perfectly welcome to stay here for as long as you want “
“I need to try and get back into a routine of being on my own. Maybe I should start going to the gym or running again “
“Well didn’t your therapist tell you that exercise is good for depression”
“She did – I have been doing better lately “
“You do seem happy for someone who has dumped her girlfriend “
“If I had any bottle, I would have done it weeks – months ago even “
“So how about we spend the day together today eh? go out – maybe have some retail therapy “
“We can do some window shopping “
“Nonsense – nothing like proper shopping “
“Christmas was expensive “
Emma knew that money was an awkward issue – she was one of the highest paid lawyers in New York and what else would give her the most joy than to spend money on her daughter. Except her daughter was proud and stubborn and buying her gifts was often a delicate balancing act.
“Okay – let’s see what is in the sales. “
“A whole days shopping with you?” Tina said smiling as she ate her toast
“Indulge me – I am your mother “
Tina laughed “How about you treat me to lunch?”
“Lunch I can manage – I do want to look around – I feel the need for some new business suits “
“What – in case the other 40 in your walk-in closet start feeling lonely?” Tina said dryly
“How about a business suit for you?”
“When would I ever wear a business suit?”
“You used to wear them all the time. I was wondering if now that you are feeling better you might also consider getting a job that matches your education and talents”
Tina sighed – she knew that her mother meant well. She wasn’t sure how to explain that she wasn’t up to a job that was demanding – that had deadlines that had to be met. She had lost so much of her focus and drive when her mother had died and they showed no signs yet of returning.
“I know that what I do frustrates you “
“I merely think that you are worth more than what you are doing at the moment “
“I know that mom “
“You do? “Emma was surprised at Tina’s admission
“Yes – totally aware that you are right that I am doing something that is not challenging for me. I know – I have always known and maybe in time I am going to feel like doing something about it. At the moment it’s all that I can face “
Emma nodded
“I miss her as well “
“I know that “Tina said “I cannot imagine how it feels losing someone that you have been with for as long as you were with mom “
“I do – I hear her voice and I see her a hundred times a day “ Emma spoke with love about her late wife “ The pain doesn’t go away but it does get easier to deal with and as much as I can I think about all the great times I had with Kate. She was insanely proud of you “
Tina smiled – maybe one of the signs of getting over grief was being able to talk about that person.
“I wanted her – I wanted both of you to be proud of me. I know she would be disappointed to see me at the moment “
“She would be worried about you like I am “
Tina nodded. Emma sipped her coffee – what Tina needed was to be swept away by a beautiful and very desirable woman –and after her meeting with Rosemary and Bette there was only one candidate in her eyes.
“How about we do something cultured?” Emma suggested
“What do you suggest?” Tina asked “A movie?”
“No – how about we take in an exhibition?”
“Of?”
“Art “
“You want to see an art exhibition?”
“Don’t make it sound like I am some sort of heathen. I like art “
“What’s brought this on?”
“Rosemary was telling me about an exhibition that she had seen the other week – she said there were some stunning sculptures. “
Tina shrugged “Sounds okay then – it’s not one that we need an invitation to is it – some of these places can be elitist “
“No, its not “
“You really want to see this exhibition?”
“Well “Emma said having practiced this line in the shower “Peter Black is bragging all about some painting he had been investing in – he’s such a snob “
“And you want to match him for snobbery?”
“God no – but he talks like such an expert – you know Peter – he talks so much hot air. I would like to be able to see if anything he says is just waffle. I would like to freak him by telling him I have seen this exhibition “
“Any exhibition or does it have to be this one ?”
“Well Rosemary spoke so well of this one “
“Is she into that sort of thing?”
“Yes “
“It seems to be a real tonic for you to have met up with these people again “
“It has been – I just adored them at college. They are such good people – really kind and on my wave length “
“How did they handle being you being gay?” Tina asked
“Rosemary was one of the first people that I came out to. She was sweet and hugged me and told me that she would have to get thinking who she could fix me up with. Her support in those early days meant so much to me “
“And him?”
“Melvin you mean? I think he was a little more wary – probably because I was the first gay woman, he had met but he came around really quickly – probably because of Rosemary. They were very supportive – he was a great voice among the African-American community. He brought the two groups together and became a supporter of gay rights. It’s strange that at college he was such a fire brand and now he works for the Prosecutors Office and is such a pillar of the community – it’s ironic “
“Do they have any children? “Tina asked
“Yes – a daughter “Emma didn’t say any more – she got up and retrieved an apple from a bowl and came back to the table. She didn’t want to tell Tina that Rosemary and Melvin had a gay daughter roughly Tina’s age who was fantastic and single and happened to own an art gallery. This plot would work better if Tina found out about Bette all by herself.
“So, is this trip to this gallery going to be the start of you becoming a collector?”
“I don’t know – it’s always possible “Emma said with a smile.
**
“Certainly Mr Walton – it is a fine piece. Take as long as you like – sure”
“I would like my partner to see the piece as well before we make a decision to buy “
“Mr Walton, I have to tell you that other people are interested in it as well. You wouldn’t expect anything else of course – but you are more than welcome to come here as many times as you wish”
“Thank you, Ms Porter, – you have been very helpful “
Bette looked across as a beautiful woman walked into the gallery
“Would you like to be left alone with the piece – I don’t want to crowd you “
“Thank you – it’s a pleasure to meet you Ms Porter – your reputation precedes you and I am delighted to put a face to the name “
Bette moved away and walked up behind the brunette that was looking at one of the pieces
“You couldn’t afford it Peabody “
Helena swung round and grinned
“I could darling and you know it “
“Nice to see you here “
“Thank you – I was wondering if I you fancied nipping out for lunch “
“Yes – I could be talked into it – your turn to pay isn’t it?”
“It is – it’s been a while since we chilled out. You fancy discussing a night out?”
“Yes – I have been a very good girl of late – about time I let my hair down “
“Who’s that strange man over there?”
“Oh don’t – he’s been here for two hours. James thought he was sizing the place up for a break in. I went across and he says he’s interested in buying the Opining piece “
“That’s expensive “
“It is and it hasn’t been snapped up yet. There are people interested in it but I have a brief to sell it and that will be to the highest bidder”
“Think he will be the highest bidder ?”
“He’s talking big but that could be a line. He says that he will come back but that could also be a line. Time will tell. How are things with the lovely Kerry?”
“Not great – what about the model you were with two weeks ago. I realise that I could be two or three girlfriends behind “
“Kat? – oh she’s long dumped – thick as a brick “
“Pretty “
“Oh yeah – very but I decided that her total lack of conversation was really a passion killer “
“Did you get very far with her?”
“Nah – I didn’t bother “
“Not like you “
Bette pulled a face “It’s getting boring Helena – why do I never meet nice normal gay women who want to go see the latest blockbuster at the movies and want to walk through Central Park holding hands? Kat might have been fantastically good to escort around here but she was a dead loss. “
“Well she is the sort of model who doesn’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 an hour “
“And her eating habits – she lived on lettuce and lemon juice. What’s wrong with going out to a Thai restaurant and eating too much. You know my mom said to me why don’t you come over for lunch – this was for the Sunday after the exhibition started. We had roast beef, loads of vegetables, roast potatoes and followed by apple crumble and custard “
“Your mom’s cooking is a work of art “Helena agreed
“I know – can you imagine super skinny Kat at my parents – what the hell would she have eaten ? she might have eaten some of the vegetables – she certainly would not have touched the apple crumble”
“More for you though “
“Yes but it would have been embarrassing – you know my mum. She doesn’t consider that a meal has been a success if you don’t waddle from the table “
“Your mom is utterly lovely “
“Oh, I know that – come on – I’ll get my bag and just tell James we are popping out and he’s in charge. Wait until I tell you this, I think my mom is trying to fix me up with an older woman “
“What – older? how much damn older?”
　
**
　
“This is nice “Tina said as they walked around the gallery
“See – and you were calling me names “Emma said. They had spent the morning wandering around the shops. She was really looking for something to buy Tina so that when she went out on a date with the glamorous Bette Porter, she would look her best.
But she obviously didn’t want Tina to know that this was the plan – so she was trying to do subtle and she knew that it didn’t come easily to her.
“I was just saying that you are not known for wanting to visit galleries “
“Well there is no point in being a stick in the mud. I am enjoying these pieces – some of them are so delicate “
“Yes – this picture here is stunning – you can almost feel how soft her skin is “Tina was enjoying the experience – really, she should be doing this sort of thing more often. She wondered if the person who had arranged the galley was a lesbian because a lot of the pictures and the sculptures seemed to be dedicated to the female form. She wandered away from her mother and looked at a white marble sculpture of a naked woman. The contours were so fine that Tina could almost picture in her mind the woman posing for the sculptor.
Emma was keeping one eye on the piece that she was supposed to be looking at while also looking around for Bette. Emma had got Rosemary to find out whether Bette would be in the gallery today and she had found out that she was expecting to be there from 9 until 6 when she was meeting her parents to go the theatre with them. The more Emma found out about Bette the more she wanted her for Tina – she was stunning to look at and also the picture that was emerging as far as Emma was concerned was of a thoroughly decent human being.
One who loved and respected her parents and was polite and seemed genuinely interested in her parent’s friends and their lives – she had been well brought up and that came through very clearly to Emma who spent her life making assessments of other lawyers, juries, budding interns and clients.
Emma wandered away from Tina and headed for what she took to be a door leading to maybe Bette’s office.
“Hello can I help you? “she was faced by a tall, dark haired man in his mid-twenties wearing crisp black trousers, a light blue shirt and dark tie.
“I am looking for Bette Porter “
“You are? “he asked “I wasn’t aware that she was due to meet anyone today “
“No – eh no she’s not. I am a friend of her parents – I was interested with what they told me about the gallery so I came to take a look at it myself and I thought I would say hello to Bette while I was here “
She tried to look beyond the man to see if she could spy Bette. James was protective of Bette regardless of her passable impersonation of a rottweiler with toothache when crossed. He knew she could handle just about anyone – he just didn’t see why she should have to. James raised one eyebrow at the woman
“Ms Porter is not available at the moment but if you leave your business card, she will get back to you “
“No – that wouldn’t be necessary – do you know when she will be around later?”
“I am not at liberty to discuss her schedule sorry – now would you like to go back to the exhibition “
James rested a hand on Emma’s back and glided her back through the private door. Emma saw Tina looking across – damn.
“Thank your young man “
Emma walked away with as much dignity as she could manage
“Are you ready to go now darling – I am just dying for some lunch “
**
James was sitting at his desk writing a letter when the door opened and Bette and Helena walked in
“Hello Jumbo “
“Hello Ms Peabody “
“Please Jumbo call me Helena “
“Only if you call me James “
Bette laughed – Helena had drunk too much wine and they were both sore with laughing so much
“Okay James “
“Thank you, Helena, “
Bette winked at James
“Any messages – any sales while I was out?”
“No – eh well – just one incident “
“Tell me all “
“Eh – about ten minutes after the two of you had left a woman showed up – she tried to get into here but I was just going out to the gallery “
“Another one of your harems?” Helena said
“Not Bette’s type – not by 30 years “
“WHAT!! “
Bette’s face fell “You are joking me?”
“No of course not “
“What did she say? What did she look like?”
“She said that she was a friend of your parents “
“Oh God – delicious “Helena was laughing “Bette has an older admirer “
If James eyebrows had shot up any further, they would have disappeared forever
“Really?”
Bette blushed “She is a friend of my parents – she went to college with them. I met her about 10 days ago. She was with my mother and I went over to say hello. She’s a lesbian and was very radical back in their college days. She was interesting and the three of us chatted – but she was asking me a lot of odd questions. And before that I had joked to my mother that I might have to ask her out – oh God – what the hell have I done – how do I get rid of her interest in me without upsetting her and my parents