Tina looked at Bette trying to muster a smile but with an emotion filled expression on her face and unshed tears in her eyes. 

Bette’s heart was near the breaking point and she stared at the blonde with a look that could only be described as loving.  She wanted to hug the wise and insightful woman before her but knew that it would be inappropriate.  So she thought hard about how to be supportive without touching.  ‘Oh god, this is hard.’  Bette pulled herself together and responded.

“Perfect sense Tina, perfect sense. You know you really are something special, Tina Kinnard.”

Tina looked at Bette and smiled as she tried to suppress the blush rising in her cheeks.  “Thank you”

They enjoyed the rest of their meal enjoying each other’s company and keeping the conversation light.  They ordered coffee and Tina turned to Bette and said:  “You know Bette, you really have me at a disadvantage, within 3 minutes of meeting me you knew my life story and then some, but other than that you recently broke up with a very attractive, and if I might add, pretty young woman, I know very little about the personal life of Bette Porter.”  “Care to share?”

Well, okay, let’s see… There’s not much to tell.  A large portion of my life revolves around the gallery.  I’ve devoted myself to making it a success and as sad as it is to say it’s kind of the love of my life to this point.   I grew up in Philadelphia went to Yale for undergraduate and grad school.  Spent a year working in Italy and 2 years in New York and then I moved to LA.   I’ve traveled pretty extensively but consider LA my home.  My father still lives in Philly and I have a sister who lives here.  We’ve recently reconnected and we’re working on our relationship.  Over the last several years I’ve been in a string of pretty bad relationships and I’m all but ready to throw in the towel.  I spend what little free time I have with a small group of women, and however crazy they might seem, I consider them my family.  Well…I guess that’s me in a nutshell.”

“Wow, pretty good.  I’m impressed.   Yale, Italy – You must speak fluent Italian.