The Adventures Of Bette Porter And Sissee Gardner After Yale (Part 3, Chapter 6)

PART THREE: MENDOCINO, CALIFORNIA

Chapter 6

After dinner, I went back to our rental with my photographer and her friend. I wanted to shower and change before going to the Victorian Inn. I had several appointments lined up with not only the mayor but a few other dignitaries as well who were hosting the candlelight event.

Upstairs I saw that Bette had been there. She left a trail of her clothes after apparently changing in a hurry. I picked them up and folded them neatly on the bed. In the bathroom I broke into a smile because she had written, “MISS YOU”, with lipstick on the mirror.

I was careful to dress appropriately, both for my gig and for Bette’s party. During that era there was a lot of confusion on the length of one’s dress – mini-skirt length, knee-high or down to one’s ankles were all in. I liked the shorter styles and had brought a long-sleeved, festive and comfortable green velour dress with a drop waist that had a sequined sash, just above my hips with the hem at my knees. A matching necklace, bracelet and earrings made it even dressier. I styled my golden brown hair with a curling iron to give it more body. Unlike Bette, I wore it short and bobbed and I never tried to hide a spray of freckles I had over my nose. I stood in front of a long mirror to see my reflection and hoped that Bette would approve.

I finished off the ensemble with a green shawl and was ready to go.

The Victorian Inn was a veritable dream. It was located on the highest hill in Mendocino and set on two beautifully landscaped acres of winter gardens. Scattered Monterey Pine trees all had Christmas lights glowing beneath their branches.

Upon closer approach it was an awesome scene, indeed. A wrap-around porch on the old building was graced with colorful garlands of pine interwoven with snaking lights that looked like candles on fire. Every window had a border of snow spray and was brightly illuminated. On the front door was a huge spruce wreathe, with tiny ornaments throughout, topped by a big red bow.