Bette: Yes, mommy Shane too. I like them both they are my friends. Oh I don’t know about Alice though…

Bette eyes widened. Ann began to get concerned.

Ann: Who’s Alice? Why don’t you like her?

Bette: No, no, it’s not that I don’t like Alice. Mommy, she’s so… she never stops talking!

Ann burst into laughter at the faces her daughter was making. She wiped a tear from the side of her eyes.

Ann: Bette baby, you used to talk a lot too ya know?

Shocked her mother would compare her to Alice.  Bette’s jaw dropped.

Bette: Nuh uh!

James woke bright and early, it was the start of his 2^nd week at the Ann Porter Gallery. He needed to wake Tina up before he got ready.

James: Tina

He began to shake Tina up from the shoulders.

Tina: Daddy just one more second okay? One more second.

James laughed at Tina. This was becoming a routine, he’d wake her up, she’d say one second which would turn into 10 minutes and then half an hour.

James: Tina get up sweetie, remember Bette’s coming over with her mom. She’s going to give you a lift to school.

At the mention of Bette’s name James knew Tina would be up in a flash. Tina pulled the covers down and stood up.

Tina: What time is it? Hurry I don’t wanna be late. Move Daddy I need to brush my teeth.

James chuckled at Tina. He had noticed how Tina was taken by Bette. They were becoming best friends. Last night Tina had asked him if she could have some paint supplies and he had asked why she wanted to paint all of a sudden. Bette had told her that her mom had bought her a set and that she’d show her how to paint little people and trees after school if James would let her go to Ann’s gallery. Ann had set up a little room for Bette so she could keep an eye on her while she worked.

Tina had her clothes on ready for school. James carried her back pack. They walked together to the waiting car.

James: Good Morning Ann. Thanks for taking Tina to school today.