By the time they finished walking through the garden Rosanna’s heart rate had returned to normal.  At least as normal as it would get around one Ms. Bette Porter.  They stayed for dinner which was served al fresco on the patio. 

            Overall the first viewers responded positively to the redesign.  The designer had in effect enhanced the areas of the garden that were once beautiful to stunning.  Each vista evoked a different emotion both calming and exciting at the same time. 

            Bette observed her companion closely as they explored the garden.  She found that Rosanna had a natural sense of composition and simply yet eloquently conveyed her observations.  Bette held Rosanna’s arm and adjusted to the fact that Rosanna was slightly taller than her.  It was an odd feeling.  Unconsciously Bette had been with women who were shorter than her and the need to raise her head to look Rosanna in the eye disconcerted her a bit.  Bette was also used to being the one who made the first move when it came to initiating intimacy.  She was surprised by Rosanna’s kiss and even more surprised by her own response which was to take Rosanna in.  She was not submissive by nature.  What is going on with me she wondered?  Most surprising of all she found that she rather liked the feeling. 

            Occasionally Tina would take over in their lovemaking and reduce her to helpless surrender.  That was Tina though.  Bette felt afraid.  Was it possible that someone other than Tina could hold a place in her heart?  She had always imagined that no one could take the place of her blonde haired hazel eyed mate.  She had accepted that all that she could hope for was decent sex and companionship.

            Not one to sit comfortably with these unsettling feelings Bette decided it was time to assert herself. 

            Bette began a discussion of the erotic beauty of the water lily with their dinner companions. 

            “Actually most flowers reflect feminine beauty wouldn’t you say Rosanna?” Bette asked innocently.

            Rosanna was caught off guard and was still reeling from Bette description of the openness of flowers as they yearned for the sun and offered their nectar.