“Bette?”  Suzanne leaned forward.  She could sense that Bette was about to round a corner.

As Bette spoke, she shook her head and frowned, accepting her statements into her heart and mind.  “I made these choices, these decisions.  I did.  I have to take responsibility for them.  There was this… this weakness in me that made me not care.  This started long before Tina caught me with Candace.  I chose not to take Foxworthy seriously.  I didn’t want to go, thought it was ridiculous, and told Tee so.  She knew something was wrong even then, but I brushed her and it aside.  We thought a baby would solve the problems, save our relationship.”  Bette paused before speaking the one truth she had denied.  “It was already falling apart, but we acted like we were still madly in love.  I had doubts, too, but I suppressed them.  Whenever I’d ask myself if I were still in love, I’d dismiss it.  I knew I loved her and I tried to make that be enough.  I did that for us, for our friends, but especially for us.  Bette and Tina.  Tina and Bette.”  Bette paused.  “We were settled and I was able to just forget about the stuff I once craved.”

“What did you crave?”

“My old life?” Bette wondered aloud.

“I don’t know what you mean, Bette.”

“Passion.  Excitement.  I was with artists all day.  My undergraduate work was in art and I have an MBA. For several years, I ran my own gallery.”

“Oh, yes, I know.  It was a wonderful space in Venice.  I stopped by a few times.  In fact, you’ll find two items from your gallery in here.”

Bette glanced around the room, taking in the various small sculptures on the tables, the textile art on the wall, and two abstract paintings.  Her eyes fell upon a ceramic bowl and pitcher set and an amber, hand blown glass vase.  “Those are from my old gallery,” Bette said with a proud grin.

Suzanne nodded and chuckled lightly.  “You know, Bette, this is the most I’ve seen you smile since you’ve been coming here.”

Bette’s smile softened until it was just a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth.  “Those artists are brilliant.  That vase appears retro.  Certainly it has its influence in Depression glass, but the artist is also making a statement about time.  Depression glass was utilitarian, simple.  It was what it was.  The artist is showing that what was once necessary is now amusing as well. This piece suggests practicality, but adds this whimsy at the opening to the vase.  It’s both functional and sensual.”  Bette’s eyes shifted to the ceramic bowl and pitcher, but Suzanne raised her hand to stop her.