Her Portrait Is Black and White

The Signing

Tina had both garage doors open, letting the air rush into the garage as there was a nice breeze outside, she sat near on of the doors on a cushion on the floor, slowly painting the corner of her newest piece. She heard the car on the drive outside but she didn't want to get up, she wasn't expecting anyone so she assumed it was the mail man. She only looked up when she heard the sound of foot steps getting closer, she turned and looked. A smile on her face when she saw Bette Porter stood there, she was wearing long slung expensive looking jeans with brown comfortable boot and purple shirt that clung to her flat stomach,

"Hi, I'm sorry I wasn't expecting you," Tina slowly got up.

"Hi, I'm sorry maybe I should have called first." Bette was holding a folder.

"Are you here for work, because you do know it's Saturday right?" Tina wiped her hands on a cloth that was on one of her long tables.

"Yes," Bette laughed. "I know it's Saturday, you're working."

"I...well..." Tina didn't know what to say to that, was she supposed to say, hey I'm working because I don't have anything better to do, this is my life. she couldn't say that. Instead she found herself looking at the floor, pushing some dust around with her foot.

"I've brought your contract. The lawyer dropped it over yesterday."

"Thanks, erm I look over it."

"Do you have a lawyer?"

"I know one if that counts."

"Not really Tina, how have you done all your pervious contracts?"

"I read them, I have a law degree I just choose to do this instead." Tina replied. She'd been painting all her life and she had thought she could make a way in the legal system by it didn't make her heart sing like painting did.

"You have a law degree?" Bette was impressed.

"Yeah, I went to UCLA's legal programme, It just didn't make my heart sing, but Claire said I should try it. I finished my degree and sold my first painting the first week. I decided then to take up painting full time instead." Tina smiled. "Sorry, erm, can I get you a drink?"

"I'd love a drink,"

"What would you like, tea, coffee, juice, wine?"

"Wine would be lovely,"

"Come in," Tina closed the doors to the garage and they went into her house, Bette smiled at the art on the walls, the house was simple, open plan place that looked like it needed a little work. but it was a lived in house and it looked cosy. Bette followed Tina into her large kitchen, putting the contract down onto the counter as she watched Tina take a bottle of wine from the fridge, opening it and pouring two glasses.

"Who is Claire?" Bette asked slowly

"Claire Hardman, I've known her for years, we were at college together. she..."

"I know that name,"

"She's a lawyer in central LA, works in Joyce Wischnia's office."

"I know Joyce, I've sold her a few pieces in the past, she's a civil rights lawyer."

"Claire is a divorce lawyer. She makes a lot of money doing it." Tina showed Bette into her living room and they sat down.