IS THIS LOVE
CHAPTER 82

Tina was working in her office on Tuesday afternoon. She glanced up from the grant proposal she was reading and looked out on the view. It was a fantastic view across the city she loved so much and she never stopped telling herself how fortunate she was. There were few full time employees who were lucky enough to have the office she did and the view that came with it. Tina was smart enough to realise that this part time role was a prolonged job interview by Peggy and Helena for something much more substantial. As much as she loved the job at the bookstore the challenge of reading all the grant proposals as well as reviewing the whole Peabody Foundation charity process had reminded her how much she loved the mental challenge of tackling something important. If Peggy offered her a full time job Tina would take it in a flash – she was ready and able to really make a impact in any role that Peggy and Helena offered her.
She picked a peach from her bag, leant back and went back to the grant proposal that she was thinking of re-naming “ how NOT to apply for a charity grant “.
“Tina “
Tina looked up – Peggy came in – she was carrying a huge piece of chocolate cake on a plate. Tina raised an eyebrow
“Been baking Peggy ?”
“Its my secretary’s birthday and I bought her the most enormous chocolate cake. I have had two slices and I am bringing you this in the hope that you will eat it and save me from myself “
Tina laughed “Thank you Peggy – that was very sweet of you “
“I would have rather bought champagne but she disapproves of how much I drink”
“Its none of her business “
“That is true but she is a fantastic secretary so I try to humour her – hence the chocolate cake. How are things in the world of grant proposals ?”
Tina gestured to the pile of proposal in her “out tray “
“I have read and researched 24 of them – my recommendations are on every front cover “
Peggy nodded and picked one up. She read the report
“You refused this one “ she said
Tina looked up and recognised it “If a charity can afford that level of paper and reproduction and original art work they need to reassess their priorities “
Peggy sat down and read Tina’s recommendations – she looked through the original proposal and nodded
“I wouldn’t have picked those points up – well done Tina “
Tina picked another report out from her out tray
“Look at this one – you should action this “
Peggy took the report
“Fraud ?” the word leapt from the report “Are you sure ?”
“It’s a small world and I knew most of the players – I made a couple of calls and I stand by what I say in there “
Peggy nodded – this woman became more impressive with every encounter.
“I will take this away with me if that’s okay ?”
“Of course “
Peggy lent back and looked at the blonde
“How are you enjoying working here ?”
“I love it “
“We aren’t going to lose you to the bookstore ?”
“I love working at the bookstore – it’s a dream come true but I really and truly adore this job. Thank you for taking a chance on me Peggy “
“I like a flutter now and again but this was no risk darling . “
“Thank you “
Tina put the report down that she had been reading and tackled the elephant in the room issue
“Helena and Emma came to dinner with Bette and I last week “
Tina could see that it was still a sore point with Peggy by the way she pulled her face.
“And how is their May to December relationship ?”
Tina sighed “Amazingly and staggeringly – they seem to be really well suited “
“You are joking ?”
“No “
“Are they still together – its been over three weeks “
“It’s a month on Thursday if we are taking into account when they first got together “ Tina said
Peggy shook her head “ Its beyond a joke – what are they playing at ?”
“Peggy – you don’t want to hear this but I am going to tell you this “
Peggy regarded Tina “Being as rich as I am means that there is so much I don’t have to listen to “
“I know but I am going to tell you this anyway “
“Are you sure ?”
“Yes – Peggy – I know its weird and I know that when we all found out about it no one could believe this but – Peggy – they suit one another. My mother is chilled and happy and really enjoying herself “
“Well we know why that is “
“Peggy “ Tina said firmly “ That was not called for – I was going to go on and say that Helena – your daughter and pride and joy – Helena is happy and she is having a great time. They are both horrendously well off and there is no question of either one of them buying the other one. Tell me honestly – what other lesbian would not be intimidated by the Peabody name and the Peabody bank accounts ? I will answer that question – my mother. She is extremely wealthy – she lives a simple life – never takes holidays and she is now finally spending money on the best restaurants and whatever else they do together”
“You approve of this relationship ?”
“Its not really my business but in as much as it is because she is my mother – yes – yes I do approve. Peggy – you haven’t seen them together – Bette and I have “
“Bette was furious about it “
“Bette has calmed down – she said things that really hurt Helena and you know that my partner and your daughter are very close. Bette was upset that she hurt Helena and she climbed down and she went into the other night with an open mind “
“What did she say ?”
“She was very surprised – we both were. But they obviously get on well – they are happy “
“It can only end badly “
“Peggy – it is what it is and you should give them a chance “
“Why should I ?”
“Because Helena is your child and you love her. just like Emma is my mother and I love her “
“Surely you should want better for her ?”
“Like my mother wanted me to be with Helena and not Bette ?”
“I hardly think that you and Bette can be compared to Emma and Helena “
“Bette and I have something special and I think that we both knew that almost from the first night we met – I certainly left the hotel that night thinking that I had never met a woman like Bette and after six months that is still the case. I want for my mom what you want for Helena – I want to see her happy and enjoying a relationship that compliments her life and her career. Its what we all want Peggy “
“And you think that Helena is that woman for your mother ?”
“I have no idea Peggy but what I know is the evidence of my own eyes and that was that last week they came to Bette’s house and we had a really good evening – we laughed the whole night and both of them were happy and enjoyed being together “
Peggy arched one eyebrow and said sarcastically “Do they love each other ?”
Tina knew it was a sarcastic question but she answered it straight.
“I don’t know – I don’t think so – I will tell you what Helena told us . She said that there was something there between them but neither of them were too sure what it was but they care for one another “
“God – it is serious “
“Peggy – I have no idea – Bette said to me afterwards that this is a long time by Helena’s standards “
“It is – a week is about as long as the shelf life of her conquests “
“That’s what Bette said “
Peggy sighed – this was a worrying conversation – people actually seemed to be coming round to the idea that her daughter and a woman 27 years older than her were really a couple .
“Are they planning to come out as couple ?”
“No – they are both aware of the comments that they will get – not that I think many people will have the balls to say anything snide to either of them and together they are probably even more formidable “
“That is true “
“Look Peggy – do you want my advice ? as the daughter of the woman your daughter is sleeping with ?”
“If you must “
“You can ignore it “ Tina smiled
“I do that very well “
“Regardless of how long this relationship continues Helena is your daughter and you love her – I know you love her – all this grumpiness with her is an act, just like it is when my mother does that to me. Part of your DNA is for you not to approve of most of your child’s choices. But let me ask you something Peggy – put aside the age thing – if Helena told you that she had fallen for a senior partner in a major New York law firm you would be delighted because you would know that Helena wasn’t being used for her money or her name. “
“She has in the past “ Peggy admitted
“Do you think Emma will do that ? just be with her for the doors she can open and the gifts she can lavish on her ?”
“No “ Peggy said reluctantly
“So let them have their fun for however long it lasts . You don’t have to approve but a little diplomacy will go a long way. Helena is always going to be your daughter and Emma is always going to be the mother of your daughter’s best friends partner – this is not worth a battle “
Peggy examined her fingernails
“You were right – I didn’t want to hear that “
“I know that but I am right and you know that – give them a chance “
“It may shock you to know but I do just want the best for my daughter and your mother “
“I know that – your secret is safe with me “
Peggy stood up “Enjoy your chocolate cake and thank you for spotting this – fraud is something that I greatly disapprove of “
Tina wondered if she had stepped over the line with the woman she was trying to impress. She picked up the report – well if she had she had done it for the right reasons . Peggy reached the door and turned round half expecting Tina to be apologizing for what she had said – she had been right earlier – it was something that Peggy had not wanted to hear. Tina was looking at the report she had put down earlier on. 99.99% of her staff would have either not dared say what she had or they would have back tracked – Tina was doing neither.
Unbeknown to Tina her stock had just risen by several bonus points .
Across town Bette and her father were in a sports bar- there were three huge screens one showing live golf, one recorded highlights of the recent grand prix and the third one showing tennis. Bette was watching the tennis idly while her father was at the bar. He returned with two beers and two shots of bourbon.
“It’s a little early for this dad “
“Nonsense – you suggested we have a father and daughter bonding session and this is what we do “
“We haven’t done this for a while “
“You have been busy “
“Sorry “
“Don’t apologise – I think Tina is very good for you and I am delighted – it doesn’t stop me missing my time with my little girl “
“Its our anniversary tomorrow “
“Any plans ?”
“I have a couple of things lined up “
“Do they include a ring ?”
“DAD ! “
“Perfectly reasonable question – I need warning to get on with my father of the bride speech “
“You are terrible “ Bette said sipping the beer
“So ? “
“So what ?”
“Are you going to propose to her ?”
“No “
“Why not ?”
Bette watched the tennis for a few minutes before looking at her father
“I don’t need to “
“Why ?”
Bette smiled “The time isn’t right for her or me – she’s getting used to her two jobs and all that entails – like dealing with Peggy and most importantly – we both kind of know “
“That the two of you will get married ?”
“That we have something that is strong and makes both of us happy and gives us an inner belief that neither of us have experienced before. I know that I have proposed before six months was up when I was younger but we both know that was a mistake and I don’t intend to mess this one up. I am very happy with Tina and I know that she feels the same. I am more secure than I have ever been in the past and I make her happy “
Melvin took his shot glass and raised it
“That’s something to drink to “
Bette chinked glasses with her father and they drank the strong liquid down in one
“Same again “ he said
Bette grinned – she always enjoyed getting drunk with her father and as it had been a while she was probably going to be made to pay in more ways than one. She returned with two doubles and put them down
“Are we going to eat ?”
“We can have a burger later “
Bette had rather had too many burgers lately
“I might have something else – chilli – they do a good chilli in here as I remember “
After they had watched some tennis Bette asked her father
“What do you make of Helena and Emma ? “
“Are they still an item ?”
“Yes – they came to dinner last week at my place “
“I bet that was fun “
“It was “ Bette said “It shouldn’t have been – I have said enough nasty stuff to Helena for her to hate me for a long time”
“I gather that you took it badly “
“I did – my first reaction was that when Helena inevitably hurt Emma that Tina would blame me because Helena is my best friend”
“That’s a little paranoid if I may say so “
“It is and I didn’t think things over and I should have. I was mean to Helena when what I should have done was hear her out and give them a chance like Tina did – Tina just shrugged her shoulders and accepted it – I don’t think she totally approves but she is relaxed enough for her to just take a wait and see approach to it “
“Reminds me of me and your mother “
“It does ?”
“Rosemary being the reasonable one being the good influence on me “
“I guess so – seriously dad – what do you think about it ?”
“As a mere man but a life time student of women ?”
Bette nodded. Melvin swirled his drink round and looked at his daughter. For all her fantastic qualities Bette could be blind to seeing the grey areas of situations. That was why he was so delighted about Tina’s growing influence in her life – Tina saw the shades of grey – either despite or because of having two lawyers for parents. He hadn’t been surprised to hear that Bette had blasted Helena or that she disapproved of the relationship between Emma and Helena
“I think its brilliant “
“You do ?”
“Yes “
“Why ?”
“From the women that I have seen Helena with over the years she has been trying the adage of opposites attract – so although the women have been beautiful they have hardly been on her intellectual level. Your mom and I knew Emma when she was at college and Helena is the nearest comparison to her – brilliant, arrogantly full of her own importance, smart, fast witted – the whole works. The age thing obviously doesn’t bother them even though it bothers everyone else. They are both brilliant and beautiful and rich and witty – and neither of them have an ounce of modesty in their bodies. I think it will last for a few months because I bet there is a chemistry. You and Tina have the most amazing chemistry – it crackles but its not explosive. Having not seen Emma and Helena together I am guessing but I imagine that you put those two together it will be like adding nitro-glycerine, dynamite to semtex and putting the mix in an industrial size mixer – then throwing in a flaming torch “
“Wow “ Bette was impressed with the analogy
“That mixture will only remain stable for a limited period of time. “
“You don’t think that they will have the shelf life of Tina and I ?”
“That depends “
“On what ?”
“Whether either of them can be taught to climb down and say sorry to the other one when they have crossed a line. For that relationship to last someone has to teach both of them some humility. – fancy the job Bette ?”