‘How does it feel not having to think about work?’

‘You make it sound like I’m leading some kind of care-free life without any obligations or responsibilities. Because I still do.’ She snaps as she practically jumps up from the couch and heads over to the kitchen, leaving me flabbergasted for a moment. Such a shift in her demeanor provoked by an innocent question shows how sensitive the topic is.

‘I didn’t mean…’ I start as I follow her into the living room with the intention to clear the air, when the sound of an incoming call confirms her previous statement. With a challenging look at me she answers it.

‘Hi James.’

Nowadays it seems like people can’t live without their phone by their side. You see it everywhere, on the streets, in bars and restaurants, sitting on a bench in the park, in public transport or even while driving. There is always that stare at the screen, a notification, the latest news, the browse the internet, social media, a text or a call that has to be checked or answered immediately. I wonder if people still remember how the world looked like without mobile phones or if they are aware how much of life they are missing because of it. Bette knows exactly how I feel about picking up the phone in the middle of a conversation and I wonder if that’s why she did it. By default I know she won’t say that she will call back, instead she engages in a conversation with James. Determined not to let it get to me I block the conversation, using the opportunity to examine the living room a bit more.

Most of the paintings would never be her choice, they are too chaotic. She would happily showcase them at her gallery but at home she always preferred something milder and more natural. At home she prefers balance.

Walking back to the book closet it’s clear to me why she has been spending so much time here, although I can’t remember the last time I saw her reading. The wide range of books consists out of art history, biographies of famous artists and French poets and novelists. At our home, in LA, all walls of the study are covered with a collection four times as big as this one. Bette arranged all our books by author and genre.