Previously:

Bette went to her bedroom and sat on the edge of her bed. Her thoughts were running rampant with no real sense of order. She would have one thought and before she could assimilate it, another would take it’s place. There was no continuity to her thoughts. They were like flashes. Bits of her past, her present and what her future might be. It took a while to calm her mind and her sleep was interrupted several times, awakened by dreams. She didn’t always remember the full content of the dream, she just saw one face. One recognizable face.

Chapter 4

Tina’s morning was hectic and as she tried to get ready for work, her cell phone rang. Looking at the called ID she saw it was Alice. “Hey Al, why are you calling me so early?” Tina’s voice showed concern  that something might be wrong.

“Oh, we just hadn’t seen you for a couple of days and wanted to make sure everything is ok. So, you didn’t come by the Planet last night. Did you have a date or something?”

“Who have you been talking to Alice?”

“Nobody really, I was at the Planet and noticed that you weren’t there and then Bette didn’t come by and so I was wondering .....”

“Alice stop wondering.”

“So were you and Bette together last night? Your house or hers?”

“Alice, I am getting ready for work. Can I call you back later?”

“Sure Tina, don’t be late for work on my account.”

“Bye Alice.” Tina smiled at the one sided conversation with Alice. Conversation were usually one sided with her but, that’s ok, she just cares so much.

~~

Bette got to the office early so she could call Anna in London at a decent time. Dialing the international call.

“Pronto.”

“Anna, this is Bette Porter returning your call.” Bette was again appreciative of how well the Italian artist spoke English.

“Oh yes Miss Porter, it is , so very good  to hear from you.”

“Anna, I was pleasantly surprised by your call.”

“Yes, I, want to come to the United States to show my art.”

“Anna, I would love to show your work in my gallery. It would be a pleasure and certainly an honor to show your work in the Porter Gallery.”

“I would be happy for you to show my work, yes.”

“Anna, I will have James my assistant contact you in a couple of weeks to work out the details. We may be looking at the first of the year.”

“That is good, I will talk to James. Yes.”

“Yes Anna, he will be in contact with you and I am honored that you have chosen us to show your work. Have a wonderful evening, Anna.”

“Ciao.”