Chap 5

Bette turns over and sees the clock. Its 7 am I guess I should get up and get breakfast. Bette gets out of bed and takes a shower. Before she headed downstairs, she looks for Lexas business card and dials her number.

Good morning, Lexa. It is Dran. I know youre probably not at work yet but I was wondering if we can meet for lunch. I would like to talk to you some more about your offer. Bette leaves her hotel number and proceeds to breakfast.

Just in case Lexas offer is something that Bette cannot handle right now, she continues to look at the paper. Trying to find her plan b and decide what other field she can find a job in.


Back in West Hollywood

Im sorry you guys. I should have told you sooner. I just didnt think she would really disappear and go anywhere. I thought she was staying at Kits. Bette has never run away from anything and I just didnt think she would start now. Especially with the baby coming. I thought she would want to be part of the babys life. Tina confesses.

You got to be ***** kidding me, Tina! She is the last person to know and you didnt even tell her about the baby. She had to find from a stranger. The stranger that could have ruined her career and the same stranger that is molesting you in front of her and all of us. Why would you think Bette would know you want her to be part of the babys life? ***** explain that to me please! Alices voice starts to become a scream.

Shanes puts her hand on Alices shoulder. Please try to keep your voice down. We dont need to make a scene, Alice.

Im so sorry Alice. I just wasnt thinking. I thought I was protecting Bette when I decided to wait to tell her about the baby. Thinking back now I see that maybe it wasnt fair for her not to know. Im so sorry guys. Im so sorry. Tina pleads.

Alice just looks at Tina with her eyes filling up with tears. She grabs her cell and dials the CAC.

Good morning, James. It is Alice. Is Bette around? I really need to talk to her. If shes in a meeting, Ill just come by and wait for her then.

Good morning, Alice. How are you? Umm Bette is not around. Actually shes not here. No, shes not in a meeting. I dont know how to tell you this but Bette is on indefinitely leave of absence. Shes been gone for almost a week. Im sorry Alice I thought you knew. James answers.

Do you know where she went? Have you heard from her since she left? Did she leave any forwarding address or anything? Alice pleads

Im sorry Alice. I havent heard anything from her. She just called me one morning and told me she would be gone for a while maybe permanently. Im staying here in hopes that she will come back but honestly, I dont want to work for anyone else.

Thanks James. Ill talk to you later. Alice hangs up.

Shes left the CAC, hasnt she? Thats why she left her laptop and cell phone on the bed. She is really gone, isnt she? But she cant stay away forever, shes got to come back…home. God, what have I done. It was a mistake to take Helena to the party. I wasnt thinking about Bette. I didnt mean to hurt her and lie to her about the baby. Tina puts her head down on the table and starts to cry.

Alice puts her arms around Tina and rubs her head. Its going to be ok. Well find Bette. Im sure shell be home soon or at least, just in time for the babys arrival. Call me later if you need anything. I gotta get going. Ill see you guys later.

Tina, will you be alright. I have an appointment but if you need me to stay with you, Ill call and cancel. Shane offers.

No, Shane, Ill be alright. You go on ahead. Ill call you later. Thanks anyway. Tina gives Shane a slight smile as Shane gets up and leaves for her appointment.

Tina gets up and gathers her things together. Going to work might just save her sanity today. Of course, she wont get Bette out of her mind. She hopes she is ok no matter where is. She honestly doesnt know where Bette would go. Her phone starts to ring and she answers it.

Hello.

Hello, is this Tina Kennard? the mans voice asked.

Yes, it is. Who is this?

Im Bettes, Bette Porters attorney. I would like to make an appointment to speak with you. Is there anyway you can come to my office? The sooner the better. Is today a good day for you?

Umm actually today is fine. I was on my way to work. What is this about? Has something happened to Bette? Tina asked nervously.

No, Bette is fine. I need to speak with you about some legal matters. Can you swing by my office before you head to work this morning?

Yes, I can do that. Go ahead and give me your address and directions. Ok. I should be there in about 20 minutes. Thank you. Tina ends the call wondering what this legal matter is about.

My God, is Bette asking for a divorce? Is her attorney going to ask me to sign divorce papers in his office. God I dont know if I really want a divorce from Bette yet. I wanted a legal separation but not a divorce. I havent thought things that far ahead. Dear God, what have I done?


After breakfast, Bette decided to go back to her room before she goes out for her morning walk. Maybe Lexa has called back about their lunch date. Bette looks over to the phone and the light is blinking. Great there is a message.

Dran, its Lexa. Im so glad you called. We dont have to wait until lunch to talk. Im here at the gallery. Why dont you come by and well go out and talk some more. Ill see you soon.

Bette couldnt help but smile. Its been so long since she felt totally excited about anything. Lately, whenever she was happy about something, something negative comes with the package. Like Tinas pregnancy. She was so happy to hear that Tina was pregnant but to hear it from someone elses lips cut her heart out. She was so happy to have Tina move back into the house but to see her being so close and touching someone else made her physically ill. Bette grabs her bag and starts her daily walk but this time, to the same direction of the Menat Gallery.

Bette walks into the gallery looking for Lexa. There she is.

Good morning, Lexa. I hope its not too early for you to break away.

Oh no. Its perfect timing actually. I can use a cup of coffee right now. Besides, thats one of the perks of being the boss. You can set your own time. Let me tell my receptionist were leaving.

A few moments later, they walk out of the gallery. Since St Augustine is a tourist spot, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in the area. You never have to walk very far to find one. After a 5 minute walk, they came to a caf. Bette stops dead on her track when she read the name of the place. The Planet What a ***** coincidence is that. God, are you giving me a sign here or what? Bette asked silently.

My dear girl, are you alright? You look kind of pale. Here let’s get a table inside. The heat might just be getting to you. Lexa offers.

Inside, they place their order and starts on a conversation/interview.

So Lexa, can I ask you where you got the name of your gallery from? Bette asked curiously.

Sure. Actually Menat is Egyptian. It is a necklace that has several rows of beads that gather into a counterweight at the back of the neck. It was worn by the goddess Hathor and symbolized the divine powers of healing. You see—that is what I think art is. Its a way to heal people, emotionally and spiritually. Art can make you laugh, make you cry, but most of all, it makes you FEEL. Lexa looks into Bettes eyes and says. As long as you can feel, you can heal. Sometimes we cannot heal on our own so we need a little help. I provide that help through art. Giving artists a chance to share their healing powers to the public. I saw your reaction when you looked at that painting in front of the gallery. The one with the pregnant woman. Its a much deeper look and a much deeper pain than the one I saw when you were looking at the father and daughter painting. Look Dran, I know I dont know you at all but I can tell you left a very painful life behind. Why dont you take my offer until you can get your mind situated. At least you have someplace to stay and it wont cost you an arm and a leg. Let St Augustine help you heal. Heal you back to life, per say.

Why are you being so nice to me? You dont even know if I am any good at choosing art. Am I that readable that everyone knows Ive had a horrible life that I no longer wanted to be a part of? Bette asked.

The pain inside of you is written all over your face and I can see it in your eyes. The way your shoulder slumps down shows me you are carrying a heavy burden that you need to get rid off. The way you tentatively smile tells me that its been a long time since you have had anything to smile about. I am a very good judge of character. I know you will be great for the gallery. I can sense your passion and your emotions when you look into those paintings. That is something that cannot be learned in any college. That is a gift that you are born with. Do not try to run away from it. Embrace it so that you can share that gift to others. You know, I also know that Dran is not your real name. If that was your real name, you would have looked at me straight in the eyes when you said it. You said that name with no confidence, no ownership. But just to let you know, it doesnt matter to me. A name doesnt make a person. Your soul, heart, and spirit make you who you are. For all I care, you can call yourself, Mrs President and that would be fine with me. As for the details of the job, whatever you want. I just need you to be in the gallery at least a couple times a week, especially during the times that I am off during my business cruises. As for pay, name your price. So can I add your name to my office door? Lexa asked.