Tina smiled as she sipped her coffee. ”Yes, your mother has done some pretty amazing things for Valentine’s Day over the years.” A sad look slowly came across her face as she remembered the first Valentine’s Day they were separated. Tina was already in Toronto and had remembered being moody the entire week. Shelly, her assistant, had finally just moved all her meetings because it was obvious Tina could not manage being around anyone. The sadness engulfed her as she remembered the deep feelings of loneliness and loss.

”Mom?” Angie said with concern noticing the look of sadness that suddenly came across her mother’s face. ”Are you okay?”

Tina slowly smiled, ”I am now.”

”What did ’B’ do that was so amazing? I mean, what can you tell me.” Angie said with a sly smile on her face.

Tina laughed, ”Well let me see,” Tina paused as she reached out for Angie beckoning her to crawl under the covers and sit in the bed with her. She leaned back as she wrapped her arm around Angie and closed her eyes. The memories slowly unfolded, memories she had barely dared to indulge herself in over the last few years.

New York, February 14, 2010

The Porter-Kennard family had been in New York for little over two years. The offer to Tina to come to New York and work for this new studio came out of the blue and was based on her professional reputation for being smart and forward thinking. She had just been fired or better stated quit Shilone Studios. The studio in New York offered her twice as much as she was making but under the condition of moving to New York. Tina at the time did not think it fair to ask Bette to move to New York for her.  She was pleasantly surprised when Bette agreed.  Bette wanted to make a change, have a fresh start away from the nonsense and intrusiveness into their personal life by their family in Los Angeles. 

Bette continued to work part-time with Kelly Wentworth for their Los Angeles Gallery. However, Bette’s reputation in the Art Community quickly afforded her other opportunities resulting her becoming a regular consultant for MoMA and the Brooklyn Museum, advising them on their acquisitions of important pieces for their permanent collection and curating shows for them.  Bette had managed to turn New York into the hub of her creative activities.