“Only Bette can say but…”

            “Bette?  Bette who?”

            “Bette Porter.”

            “Not the Bette Porter, of The Bette Porter Gallery, of the CAC of bringing “Provocations to LA, Porter!”

            “Yes, that Bette Porter.”

            “Oh God.”

            “She’s hot.”

             Kay was stunned. 

            “You forgot courageous.”

            “Huh?”

            “In your description of your mystery woman, you forgot courageous.  She is one of the most courageous women in LA or the art world.  She always goes where her heart leads no matter what the critics say. She is incredible in the strength of her convictions.  I’m sorry my friend, you are toast.  If she returns your interest, you are toast.”

            “I’m putting all the blame on you.”

            “What?” 

            “You forget that you were going off on what an incredible woman Bette Porter was after you saw some TV debate with her and some right wing fundamentalist?”

            “Yeah, so what.”

            “Well you know each year I pick a different charity to contribute a portion of the profits of the CACMH (California Centers for Mental Health) to so I picked a person rather than a organization per se.  I decided after listening to you go on about how courageous she was and what a defender of the Arts I decided that she would get the donation this year for whatever project she chose. 

            I found that she was no longer at the CAC, her contract was bought out by the instigation of that Peabody brat.  I found out about a month ago that she is now at CU and the new Dean of the School of Art.  I made the donation to the CU Art Program.  That’s how I happened to meet her for the first time.”  Rosanna stopped to gather her thoughts as images of Bette flashed across her mind.  Those ebony eyes, the endless body, the dark curly hair…

            “Oh shit, you are so serious Ro.”  Kay was speechless.  “Listen, Honey, don’t do this.” Kay listened to the voice inside her screaming Rosanna’s own lessons. 

             She had co-led a group with Rosanna years back on relationships.  Rosanna contentioned that the whole story of a love affair was known within the first few days and after that we just chose to ignore what we know. It was another of their eternal arguments that was a draw because Kay had learned that Rosanna was right.

            “I also know what you are saying to me Kay.”  Grey blue met Sky blue eyes.  “Her heart and soul belongs to another and I am going to get so burned.  “I’m going to need you when this is over.  If I can, I’m going for this ride.”