Then suddenly she turned her head and our eyes met as if magnets pulled them together.. There was no doubt in my mind that she was affected. Her mouth opened slightly and she stopped talking in mid-stream. The couple she was having a conversation with turned to follow her gaze.

I knew I had not changed much. I had been careful to lose the weight I gained after having children. My golden brown hair was slightly shorter than when she and I were together but the permed style was much the same. The color of my dress was basic black with a lot of lace, low cut in the front. I deliberately wore the diamond, heart-shaped necklace she had given me and when I stepped closer to her, I saw that she had hers on too. My heart just did flip flops and I had butterflies in my tummy with those silly and very visible goose bumps all over my bare skin.

She smiled first as we approached. I echoed her smile, yet fought back tears and for once in my life I conquered them. I had played this scene over and over in my mind, mentally and physically preparing myself for this reunion but nothing ever goes according to plan.

Bette spoke first. “Well, Sissee Gardner, look at you!”

“Hi Bette.”

She opened her arms to embrace me and I moved closer to her. When our bodies touched it was so emotionally intense, I literally felt weak in the knees. I knew she could feel my runaway heart beat but if the truth be told, I was not sure if it was hers or mine. I could smell her sweet fragrance, like a bouquet of fresh, cut flowers. Then, all I could think of was that our necklaces rubbed together for a brief moment, just like that night in Newport Beach when that was all we wore to bed.

We were cheek to cheek for just seconds but a warm thrill went through me. When we pulled back she had the control and dignity to address Howie. He put out a hand, which she took, as I stepped aside. Then she tugged him to her and embraced him too, saying. “Hello, trouble maker.”

The couple with whom she was speaking, discreetly drifted away with a promise to talk to her later. She nodded to them and said to us, “Thank you so much for coming.”

Howie said, “We’re glad to be here. Even I can see that it’s a beautiful place with a fine collection of art.” He leaned in closer to her with an air of confidentiality. “Actually though, you know the only portraits I ever get to look at are mug shots.”

She threw her head back with a quick laugh.

Congratulations Bette,” I added. “I see some very familiar paintings here.”

“Did you see the Chavez?”

“No, not yet but I’ll know it when I see it,” I answered.

Another couple walked up to her and she smiled at us and said, “Excuse me.” Then she hugged them too and it was our turn to discreetly move on.

We did indeed eventually see the Chavez painting. It was of a flamenco dancer wearing a peasant blouse and ruffled skirts, who looked very much like Bette and I knew she had commissioned him to do it. How I would have loved that beautiful piece in my home but the price was $35,000.

I saw Bette several times that evening from a distance and every time our eyes met, she winked at me. It brought an affectionate smile to my lips in response and I knew we were flirting with each other.

In fact, while Howie was talking with a new acquaintance, I wandered off and around a corner, looking at the pieces of art closely, stopping for a long, lingering look at the Chavez. While standing in front of it, Bette suddenly came up behind me and whispered,
“Do you like it?”