Her Portrait Is Black and White

Personal Space

Tina had woken early as usual, leaving Bette sleeping she had had gone downstairs and smiled when she had seen all Bette's friends were sleeping spread out across the living room floor. She took out a small bottle of orange juice, opening the back doors letting the fresh morning country air into the house, she walked over to the studio, opening the doors. she walked around opening the blinds and letting the morning sun into the large space.

Tina set up a new canvas and some brightly coloured paints, she'd had a dream during the night that had been filed with bright colours and she wanted to reflect this in a new piece. She dipped her fingers in the paint and slowly started to slowly paint onto the canvas. She was lost in painting when she got the feeling she was being watching, she looked up to the door and saw Shane, her eyes still filled with morning sleep, her hair a mess smiling at her.

"Hi," Tina said softly.

"Hi, sorry I wasn't sure if I could come in. I know you like your space,"

"Only Bette usually comes in here," Tina said softly "But please come in,"

Shane walked in, looking at the large space that was filled with all the materials that any artist would need.

Tina slowly finished the bit she was doing as Shane sat on another stool near her bench.

"Do you always wake this early?"

"Yeah, Bette finds it strange that I'm up so early all the time. I don't sleep too well."

"I can understand that," Shane smiled. "I'm in ore of your talent,"

"You shouldn't be, I'm just lucky that I'm finally making money at what I'm good at. When my parents died I bought this land and put the rest away. I didn't want to live off their money. I've not had your past, I know, I'm lucky. But I wanted to make this work." Tina smiled.

"I think you have your show was sell out I believe,"

"Yeah, Bette wants to talk about money. I don't. I don't want our business and personal life to mix."

"Money can ruin relationships,"

"Yeah, I don't have a manager or a team around me to help me with this stuff. I've done it all alone. Meeting Bette has changed my life."

"You've changed hers,"

"Do you think?" Tina said smiling.

"Tina, I never thought Bette would leave LA and move onto a country estate and be as happy as she is. She's been my friend for a long time, she helped me when I was homeless and trying to find my way in the world. I've never seen her as happy as she is with you."

"She makes me very happy," Tina replied, as she carried on painting with her fingers, the painting starting to come together.

"I'm sorry Alice makes you feel so uncomfortable." Shane said suddenly, Tina looked at her. cocking her head to one side,

"I think I'm not used to people with her personality. She's very forthright. I'm not great around people."

"She's a little much sometimes. Best thing to do is roll your eyes." Shane smiled.

"You could be right, it's just going to take time. I've never been around so many people, I used to keep myself to myself."

Before Shane could answer Bette walked in with freshly brewed coffee, she gave one to Shane and then walked over to Tina and kissed her lips,

"Morning baby," Bette smiled putting a mug next Tina. before looking at what she was doing. "Are you finger painting?"

"Yep," Tina smiled looking at her woman, who just shook her head.

"Right I'm going to start breakfast, and if we must make as much noise as possible."

"Why?" Tina asked, as she got up and went and washed her hands at the sink at the back of the studio.

"Alice is hung over." Bette laughed.

"I'm going to enjoy this," Shane got up and left the studio, heading back into the main house.

Bette looked at Tina who was drying her hands.

"You let her into your personal space," Bette said,

"She's a good person, I like her." Tina replied throwing the towel onto the side and walking over to Bette. she gently pushed her hair behind her ear and just took in this woman who had changed her world and life completely. "I love you," Tina said suddenly.

Bette smiled, kissing Tina's lips lightly.

"I love you too," Bette grinned. Before taking Tina's hand and they headed into the house.

***

Bette walked out of her home office, finally looking at the figures that had come through for Tina's show. She was so proud of her partner and wanted to share the news with her. she headed into the studio and looked at Tina who was sat the bench, rubbing her forehead while she was on the phone.

"How many pieces would you want?" Tina asked, "would you pay for the transport of the pieces? ... right and you want me to do that ... I'm not sure. Let me think about it, thank you," Tina put the phone down and shook her head.

"Whats the matter?" Bette asked,

Tina looked up, she took a deep breath,

"I've been offered a show in Italy, but they want me to fund the movement of the pieces and they only want four pieces, which makes me think it's a group show and they are trying not to send as much money on the lesser known artist like me." Tina looked slightly distressed.

"You're not sure if to take the show?"

"No, I've just had my first solo show, which has sold out. They hadn't done a lot of research, they didn't even know what kind of pieces I had to offer. Even with the update to the website." Tina shook her head. "I'm just not sure,"

"You don't need to take the show,"

"Money would dictate I do," Tina said slowly.

"No baby, you don't. James has transferred all the funds from your show into your bank account."

"What?"

"Everyone has paid up and Bette Porter Gallery is currently paying for the shipping off all the piece to their new owners. You made $2.3 million."

"I made how much?" Tina shook her head.

"I'm not repeating it but it's in your account and you don't need to take a group show in Italy if you don't want too."

"I can pick and choose?" Tina rubbed her head.

"you can and I want you too, you're worth more than that group show. I would like you to do what makes your heart sing Tina."

Tina got up and walked over to Bette, wrapping her arms around her, hugging her close. Knowing that her life was changing for the positive and she could start doing what she wanted and taking shows that make her heart sing and not group shows were her work would get lost in the gallery.