Place: Bette Porter Gallery

Time: 7:45 p.m.

Event: The opening of BPG

Chapter: Five

That night, after the opening, Tina came up to me in the hallway. "I won’t be able to make it." Tina says. I stopped tending to the plants in the hall and gave her my undivided attention. She looked as though she were hurt that she couldn’t make my dinner party. I’m guessing that the decision wasn’t hers alone and that Eric had something to do with it. "Well, I’m sorry you can’t come. I thought it would be a good chance for you to meet the girls and chit chat over a plate of lasagne." Bette replies.

Tina inhales deep as she embarks upon the food she would regretfully hate to miss. But, Eric was tired and needed to get home soon. He was waiting outside in the car while Tina said goodbye. "I’ll try to make it to your party this weekend. But, I’m not making any promises. I might be out of town that weekend." Tina says. Out of town? Where was she going? As much as I was desting to ask, I never did. I had decided to leave it where it was at. "I totally understand. And I wish you luck with the trip. It was nice meeting you." Bette replies. "The pleasure was all mine." Tina says.

Honk! Honk! Honk!

"Geez! I see someone’s in a hurry." Bette says. She glances out toward the parking lot. "Yeah. Like I said before he’s tired. So, I better go. I’ll see you around." Tina replies. She slowly backs away from Bette. To see her leave like she did, made me sad. The night was so young and she was the first to leave it. I wondered what kind of guy Eric really was. Because, he was a client, I never got a chance to study him. I never knew that he had such a beautiful and special woman he went home to every night. I never knew she was this fine nor smart either.

"I should go." Tina says. She turns her back away from Bette and pushes the door open. "Good night." Bette whispers. I put the water down and walked over toward the sliding glass doors. They opened automatically and I saw Tina enter Erics’ car. The sound of the door close and Eric accelerate down the road made my heart soar. I couldn’t believe she was gone like that.