Her phone rang just then, and she looked at it and then thumbed the screen excitedly, “Dad … Dad… Is Mom there? Can I talk to her? Now…now, please Dad!  I’ll explain later… Mom!  You’ll never guess who I’m having dinner with.  Okay, three words – Beat generation collection…. Right!  Unbelievable, and I just realized it now!  Okay do you want to talk to her?”

Rachel gave her phone to Bette eagerly, “I’m sorry to impose … but would you please talk to my mom?  She knows about some of the works you have in your collection, and ….”

Bette looked at Tina, who shrugged and gave her a sympathetic smile.

As Bette took the phone, Tina asked Rachel, “So what’s this about?”

“Mom started collecting art really late, largely because she didn’t think of herself as a collector, but had always been a supporter of the arts.  My dad was the collector in our family, and he’s built a car collection, and has his own reputation, I guess,” Rachel started.  “Anyway, when Mom started collecting art, she tended towards a type of art which last year was the subject of an exhibit at the Whitney.  She visited the exhibit several times, and while there she asked around about whom to consult with about that type of art.  She found out Bette, apparently, has a notable collection of the type of art featured in that exhibit.  At least according to a few art critics and gallerists that she knew and who were there when she was.”

Bette was hanging up, and gave the phone back to Rachel, “Your dad invited me over to their place in Greenwich when we get back.  He wants me to see his car collection, and what your mom self-describes as a modest art collection.”

“Oh, you don’t have to, Bette!” Rachel said.  “I’m sure you have other things you’re busy with.”

“No, it’s alright, Rachel,” Bette responded waving her hand.  “He says he and his brothers were all collectors of one thing or another.  And he’s rather proud of his own collection.  On her part, your mom says that her family collects, too, and has a number of paintings and sculpture that sound interesting, but which she was hazy about. In any case, from what she describes it sounds like she and some members of her family probably own some important pieces.”