Chapter 69 – Avoiding a freight train

Both Tina and Bette woke up from their nap sometime late afternoon. Getting dressed, they quietly exiting the room so as not to wake up Kit.  Neither of them said much until they were out of the room.

”You know I forgot how warm rooms here can get. It’s like the heat is either on or off in this town. With nothing else in between.” Bette commented as they stepped outside.  The briskness of the air felt good against her skin, making her feel alive. “Wow don’t you just love the feel of the air.”

Tina feeling the chill pulled Bette close.  “It just means you have to hold me to keep me warm while we walk down to the gallery.” Tina said as if she needed an excuse to be close to Bette.

”Humm I would love too.” Bette said in a half laughing tone. 

Slinging her arm around Tina, they started walking down the street. Two blocks later they were standing in front of the Leo Gastilli Gallery. The gallery itself was beautiful from the outside. It was one of those older buildings who’s frontage was taken up with large picture windows allowing the passerby to see in.  The intent was to tease them by gain a brief glimpse of the exhibits inside. These large windows had the gallery name spelled out in large gold block lettering. The doors were large glass doors with sturdy brass handle and hinges which spoke of reliability and endurance. The outside looked elegant but inviting.

Walking into the gallery, what strikes you first is the impression of feeling cramped. This feeling is happening in spite of the fact that the gallery is actually huge. The large room is partitioned off with movable walls which are created by large panels which hang from the ceiling. While this is useful by providing more wall space in which to hang art, the organization of the partitions is very mundane creating a maze of halls and narrow corridors. The walls are all painted white to allow the artwork to be the central focus. Track lighting is hung down from the ceiling to give each piece the individual lighting it deserves to better enhance the piece. Tina watched Bette closely as she gazed around, taking in the entire scene.  This is not the way Bette would have arranged the space if it were her gallery.  Knowing this Tina is interested in what Bette will do.