MARCH 1999    Los Angeles, California

Just as it did in the art world, Bette Porter’s reputation also preceded her in the lesbian community of Los Angeles.  Many former lovers and dejected hopefuls took it upon themselves to warn others in the fold of the bewitching brunette.  They advised would-be lovers to run for the hills rather than fall under the spells of one Bette Porter. 

She will leave you cut and bleeding on the floor, they would claim, not to mention break your heart seven ways from Sunday in the end.  Yet somehow, despite the pain she was possible of inflicting, the svelte and gentle manner in which she parted ways always left the rejected wanting more.  Unfortunately for these few, the brunette would fail to return and alleviate that desire. 

Consequently, Bette was labeled a bonified ‘heartbreaker’, and according to Eric Slate, she was indeed that.  He admitted that he had once made a pass at Bette, slightly drunk and completely unaware of her sexual orientation.  Of course she had denied him, but did so with such grace and humility that he fondly respected Bette, if not desired her more.  Eric playfully warned his girlfriend Tina of how mesmerizing and intoxicating Bette Porter was.  He even went on to light-heartedly joke that Tina would be so captivated with the woman upon their introduction that she may just decide to temporairly switch teams.

Tina Kennard quickly dismissed Eric’s lewd suggestion that Tina might be so taken with Bette Porter that she would consider changing her sexual preference.  There was no way on Earth that a woman could possibly turn Tina on…at least not to the extent of abandoning the male species altogether. 

Tina had heard of Bette Porter even before her boyfriend’s reminisent tone filled the car.  She had been privy to several conversations in elite social circles as of late, and Bette had been a hot topic on more than one occassion.  Bette was known as a shrewd yet passionate businesswoman; she was both revered and respected for her unwavering sense of artistic and personal integrity.  Tina had heard of how artists both far and wide clamored for a space in Bette’s forward thinking gallery.  The artists were assumingly drawn to her aptitude for truth, beauty, and authenticity when it came to her exhibit choices.  Many artists wanted to be a part of Bette’s process of paving a new way in the art world.  She was unintimidated by protestors and naive nay-sayers alike.  If she believed in an artist and their work, she fought vehemently for its rightful public showcase.

It also wasn’t lost on Tina that Bette Porter was rumored to be a complete knock-out; exotically beautiful she had heard once.  Despite Tina’s growing annoyance with her boyfriend’s musings on Bette, Tina was becoming very curious to meet the woman who had such a profound effect on people, both gay and straight.  Fortunatley, she wouldn’t have to wait much longer. Tonight Tina Kennard would have the opportunity to find out what all the fuss was about, once and for all…

TBC