The Monday however had passed slowly. She tried to do a lot of things simultaneously to avoid thinking about something else, or better, someone else, but all she had accomplished was drive her assistant Kelly crazy. She hadn’t received any confirmation that Tina had liked the orchid or accepted her apologies. And she didn’t know if that was a bad or a good sign. So as the dinner time was approaching, she was getting anxious. So anxious that as soon as she and Alice arrived the restaurant and seated on their reserved table, they ordered a glass of wine to calm her nerves down while they wait for their guests.

            “Are you okay, Bette ? Is everything okay at the gallery?”

            “Yeah, why ?” Bette absently replied Alice after drank the last drop of her wine and put down the glass.

            “You worked the whole weekend and when I called you today, Kelly told me you weren’t in a good mood and was acting like what were the exact words? like it wouldn’t have a tomorrow”

            That comment provoked a smile on both friends.  For a moment Bette really thought that her smile would appease the curiosity of her friend and make her change the subject. It didn’t appease but she changed the subject. To a worst one.

            “So, what about your ***** buddy of Saturday?” Noticing the frowned face of her friend, Alice tried to correct herself “one nightstand company? lover? I give up! Tell me the damn name of that girl!”

            “KarenI think.”

            “Ow”

            Alice remained for a moment staring the picture on the opposite wall of the restaurant, waiting for Bette stop trace circles with her finger around the border of her glass. Finally Bette broke the silence.

            “Are you okay with that? Not the girl of Saturday. It meant nothing. It was just ***** bad *****. I wasn’t there emotionally I took care of myself better But with how Tina called my attention.”

            Even it was amazing to see Bette Porter open herself up, Alice cut her off. Putting her hand over Bette’s, she squeezed hers, reassuring her friend.