Chapter Text
I slowly made my way out of the busy gallery. I can’t believe I got dragged into this. I’m holding so tightly onto my dog lead. I didn’t want to bump into anyone or anything and I knew that if I stayed in here it would happen. I can’t cope with this amount of people.
I’ve not been in this situation since before the accident. Merlin, my amazing seeing eye dog managed to find me a beach. I sat myself down with him sitting at my feet. I need to know he is there. Eve, my friend I am with tonight, is so freaking selfish. She has made me come out because she’s hoping to get off with the artist. She had made me come, saying it would be good for me. it’s not I live my life in total darkness and I can’t enjoy being in an art gallery. I was glad to get out of it. I took a deep breath. Glad to be back out in the sun. too many people scare me. two years after my accident.
“Hello.” A voice beside me says . I moved my head towards her silky voice. It was lovely.
“Hi.” I say back, smiling. I could tell that Merlin had got up and was getting into his protective stance.
“You looked a little lost.” The woman says . I loved her voice. She sounded so sexy. I was drawn to her. I’d not been drawn to a woman since my ex.
“When?” I ask slowly.
“Inside of the gallery”
“Oh that happens.” I admit. “When your so-called friends drags you to an art opening as her wing woman when you can’t see the art work. She manages to find the artist and leaves you.” I could feel the tears starting. This was a little too much.
“Ah your friend must be the red head who Gavin is feeling up.” the woman says .
“That would be Eve.” I say “I couldn’t careless to be honest. Art loses its appeal when you can’t see it.”
“Art is what it is to the person who is seeing or feeling it. Every piece is seen or felt differently but each person.” She says slowly. This so sounded like a sale pitch.
“Who are you?” I ask. Needing to know who she was.
“Bette Porter.” I felt the air move. She was offering her hand I reached out and shook in.
“Tina Kennard.”
“Erm how did you do that.” Bette asks .
I smile.
“What?” I wanted to string her along and see what would happen.
“Know to shake my hand.”
“Oh that, I felt the air move. You learn to use your other scenes when you lose one.” I explained. “It’s taken about 19 months but I’m finally getting the hang on of it.
“Ahh, I really should have known that.” Bette laughed. She sounded nervous. Even when she laughed.
“So you’re the amazing Bette Porter of the Porter Gallery LA.” I ask slowly,
“I wouldn’t go that far to be honest.” Bette says slowly.
“Eve would. She sings your praises” I replied, patting the top of Merlin’s head making him settle now he knew I wasn’t under attack. “Biggest player in West Hollywood.”
“How would your straight friend know that?” Bette asks
“She likes the best of both worlds.” I replied
“I don’t remember seeing her around.” Bette says, her voice sounding like she was smiling
“She’s more into men than women. She calls women her guilty pleasure.”
“Make us sound like a song we love that we shouldn’t.” We both laugh at Bette’s joke. Which relaxes me even more.
“When she got the tickets for tonight she kept telling me you were the most wanted lesbian in town. As well as the biggest pleasure.”
“Again I wouldn’t say that. I’m not a saint. I’m known to enjoy a good time.”
“Aren’t we all.”
“What about you?” Bette asks slowly.
“Me?” I turned my head to her; I wasn’t sure what she was getting at.
“Yes you.” Her voice sounds like she’s interested in me, how can she be I’m so damaged. No one would want to be with me.
“What about me?”
“well you are gay.” Bette says slowly.
“You have gay-dar. I’m single have been since my accident.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“Shit happens.” I didn’t want to get into this conversation right now, not with someone who does even know me.
“I love your attitude”
“Me too.” I smile, enjoying just sitting here with her. “What is the show about?”
“Gav’s done a number of female nudes. They are selling nicely. Even that fat chick.”
“You’re playing me with Ms Porter.”
Her giggle is so intoxicating I could listen to it all day.
“I am sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“Tell you what why don’t I take you around the paintings.”
“I can’t see them, Bette.” I say slowly, suddenly feeling so unsure of myself.
“I know that. I will talk you through them,”
“I don’t want to take up too much of your time.”
“You’re not I promise.”
“okay,” I gave in and slowly got up.
Merlin walking with us as we went back into the Gallery. She was treating me so normally and I’m not used to it. How could this be happening. My world of complete darkness had been holding me back for two years and now suddenly I’m being shown around an art gallery not only by the owner but by the biggest player in WeHo. Maybe it was time for me to start living again.