Her story would be told but in her own way using the multi-media installation that she’d created for Sam Makavehja to produce. She called it ‘Unscrupulous’ and to her word she’d dedicated it to Jodi Lerner as it told of how her fairytale princess turned her dream of first, last and forever love into a nightmare of greed, hatred, deception, and murderous intent. Contrasting it effectually with her collection of oils on canvas entitled ‘Tabitha Arise’ to showcase how she’d awoken from that nightmare with renewed reverence for life and love everlasting. The individual pieces were expressions of survival, re-emergence, miracles, healing, beauty, discovery, devotion, victory and rebirth; all of which were inspired by the exotically beautiful mocha skinned doctor who had restored her outer beauty but spoke only to her heart.

“Your beauty comes from within ‘T’. No amount of reconstructive or cosmetic surgery can match that. Beauty is in here… she touches her heart… you just have to trust it.”

***

Bette and Tina were spending a lazy Saturday evening at home which was a welcomed change from the constant rollercoaster ride they’d been on for the past several months. After the trial Bette had suggested getting away and finally things had settled down long enough to talk to Tina about it. They sat out on the deck and made plans as they sipped wine and enjoyed the cool ocean breeze and the sound of the waves in the background.

“What do you have in mind?” Tina asked.

“I was thinking we could sail to Catalina Island. Have you been?” Bette asked.

“No I haven’t but it sounds great.” Tina answered enthusiastically with no hesitation. She’d completely gotten over her fear of water.

“The weather is a bit too cool for scuba diving but we can do some fishing. They have a great night life and fabulous restaurants. Maybe we can play a round of golf, romantic walks on the beach, theatre, dancing, whatever you like.” Bette said warming up to the idea.

“It all sounds wonderful babe. Why don’t we plan on leaving Friday morning and we can stay until Monday or Tuesday.”

“Perfect. I’ll make all the arrangements.”

“Not all. At least let me plan one date night. Do you realize we’ve been together for six months and we’ve yet to have our first date?”