Rhythmic Freedom

Chapter 9, Preparatory Motion

Before Tina could say anything, Bette lit up with an idea.  “Wait!”  She said and quickly walked over to the dining table and retrieved the bouquet of daisies.  Pausing just a moment in front of the blonde, Bette looked her in the eyes.  “Stay right here.”  She said with her full smile and stepped out the door pulling it closed behind her.

Tina looked at the closed door for a beat then at the guard standing beside her who shrugged his shoulders with the message he didn’t know what was going on either and then they both brought their attention back to the door when three slow knocks fielded the room.

The guard tried to stifle his smile as a grin formed on the virtuoso’s face.  Tina slowly opened the door.

“Hi!... remember me?”  Bette greeted with a big smile.  Tina laughed and at once felt the tension of moments ago slip away. 

Quieting her laugh, Tina tried unsuccessfully to put on a serious face.  “Why yes… Ms. Porter as I recall… what brings you here on a Saturday morning?” 

The guard, though naturally fascinated with the two gorgeous women, felt immediately awkward standing next to the blonde.  He cleared his throat and excused himself to his comfort zone of the desk out in the hall giving Bette a wink as her passed her by.

Bette widened her eyes and spoke in a playful tone.  “Ooh Ms. Kennard… I’m here to right a terrible wrong!...” she lowered her head and raised her eyes to meet the blonde’s.  “I’m guilty of a shameful faux pas.”  She dropped her eyes to the floor, keeping her head down in an attempt to hide her grin.

Tina giggled and failed to surprise the full smile that took on a life of its own.  “Is that so?”  She said playing along.

Bette bit the inside of her cheek to tame her smile then lifted her head to explain.  “Yes… you see, last night I had the honor of attending your performance and failed to bring you flowers.”  She said presenting the bouquet to Tina.

“Why thank you Ms. Porter…”  Tina said as she accepted the bouquet.  “They’re lovely…” bringing the flowers too her chest and breathing in the fragrance.  “And you…” looking back into the gaze of the brunette, “delivered them personally… how perfectly charming…” pausing as they silently shared the unspoken possibilities reflective in one another’s eyes.   “Would you like to join me for tea?”  Tina said with a sweet smile stepping aside and gesturing for Bette to enter the suite.

“I can think of nothing I’d like more.”  Bette said letting loose her full smile.

Bette followed Tina into the suite where the blonde filled a decanter from behind the bar with water for the flowers.  The gallery owner noticed two cellos next to the floor to ceiling window across the vast room from where they stood. Both were cradled by non-descript stands, however, one stood out prominently as a masterpiece of the 18^th century. 

Bette turned her attention back to the virtuoso and was met by the warmth of hazel eyes.  “Maggie?” Bette said, with a graceful point of her hand in the direction of the cellos.