That night she stopped at Blockbuster and rented a couple of movies.  At home she made some microwave popcorn, unplugged the phone, and watched ‘The Matrix’ and ‘The Others.’  She had been looking for movies that weren’t romantic or heady, and were different than those she might have seen with Tina.  She wanted no reminders.  She fell asleep before the end of ‘The Others,’ so never learned the great mystery.

* * * * *

On Thursday, she was told that the first available time for the Board to meet would be next Tuesday.  That wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but she accepted it.  James was standing in her office, holding a pad.

“The problems were Eisenberg, Taft, and Smith-Kingston.  If any one of them could have availed themselves on Friday, we could have done it tomorrow.”

“Fine.”

Bette lowered her eyes to look at the papers on her desk, but sensed that James was still there.  She looked up and waited for him.

“Bette, I’m wondering…not really wondering.  You’re planning on leaving, huh?”

Bette smiled warmly at her assistant.  He was priceless.  “Yes, I am.  I was going to talk to you later today about it.”

“Have you decided when?”

“Not until the Fall.  Probably November.”

“Okay, so I have some time.  I just wanted to know so I could get all of my ducks in a row, too.”

Bette walked across the room to her small meeting area and motioned for James to follow and take a seat.  She sat down and looked at the nervous young man.  “The reason I was going to talk with you is that I think you and I work well together and I’d like to continue that association.  I’m opening a gallery and will still need the kind of assistance I have here. Would you be interested?”

“I’d jump at it, Bette.  You’re honestly the best boss I’ve had, but the salary the CAC pays me is nothing to walk away from.  I’m making fine money here.”

Bette nodded.  “I’ll meet it, of course.”

“Then yes, I would love to follow you.  Yes, sign me up.”

“Okay,” she said as she stood.  “We’ve got a deal.”  She stretched out her arm to shake his hand, but he pulled her to him and hugged her awkwardly.