Helena left the Planet and decided to go to the Farmer’s Market on 3^rd and Fairfax.  She needed to clear her head of her encounter with Tina; after all, Bette had never given her a reason to think that she had any lingering feelings for Tina.  She walked and wondered and walked a little more…why had her conversation with Tina disturbed her so?  Maybe it was because Helena thought that she and Bette were past the probationary period of their relationship where Tina could wield her influence and emotional connection with Bette?  Maybe it was because Tina actually had the gall to approach her and stake her claim.  Helena stopped mid stride with a look of pure incredulity thinking…Tina had some goddamn nerve…I can’t believe she actually did that.  Helena continued her walk thinking that she had no intention of losing this fight. 

When Bette and Helena began their relationship, Tina wasn’t even a consideration because they were still mired in the Canada incident, and Tina was of course involved with Henry.  But now, now…Tina was on the prowl…Henry went by way of the dinosaur…and the other relationships were nothing in comparison to Bette.  So you see, Bette and Helena had been living a fairytale, they were together in a loving and caring relationship; and Bette and Tina became sound co-parents.  Helena never had a reason to feel insecure…so you see, this encounter was conceivably long over-due.

Helena walked through the Farmer’s Market stopping at various vendors and finally feeling a pang of hunger and sat for a cup of gumbo. She began to think about her conversations with Bette, conversations about love and commitment…about their desires, mistakes, hurts and ambitions.  Because she and Bette communicated so freely and discussed even the most difficult topics, like their initial hatred for each other, Helena’s relationship with Tina, Bette’s infidelity, and their tendency to control, she felt safe and comfortable in their relationship. Because they are so emotionally connected and comfortable, it quite frankly pissed her off that Tina would attempt to marginalize and destroy their relationship.  So, maybe it’s not the security factor, yeah, maybe she’s just pissed that Tina has the audacity to interfere in her life…her life with Bette.

One could argue that Helena should have seen this coming, but really…I mean really, Helena had no reason to be concerned, but human nature does tend to cause anxiety.  Actually, it was probably Tina’s boldness that caused he anxiety.   The more she thought about it, the angrier Helena became…so much so that she couldn’t finish her meal.  She decided that she needed to talk to Bette and pulled out her cell and pressed one on speed dial…but she immediately thought better of that decision and ended the call.  Helena thought for a second,”I’m not going to bother Bette with this.  She’s done nothing wrong and if I tell her, she’s going to be pissed at Tina and it will make this appear to be a bigger issue than it is.  I’ll just tell her that I saw Tina and that will be it.  I know that Bette loves me and that’s all I need.”  With that declaration, Helena was off.  She began walking to her car thinking of the list of grants on her desk to review – she really shouldn’t have taken the morning off.   Between her work at the Foundation, Bette’s work at the university and various local galleries, they were a busy pair.  Bette and Helena found incomparable joy in sharing their passions – they actually partnered on several wildly successful ventures.  To see the other so excited and passionate about their work was invigorating and added an additional layer of commitment to the love they shared.