“No that’s fine. Thank you Michael it was good talking to you.”

“You too Bette. Don’t be such a stranger.”

“I won’t. Have a great day.”

“Thanks. Same to you Michael.”

While Bette was on hold she took the time to look through the legal documents that had been enclosed with Peggy’s letter. She never expected anything like this especially seven years after the fact. She would never forgive Helena’s actions and she didn’t like the idea of her mother offering a payoff to rectify a situation that she’d long ago tried to bury. She never blamed Peggy but she could see how this type of indulgence by rich parents who bought her way of out trouble could lead Helena to have such little regard for others.

What Bette didn’t know was that Peggy and her late husband had in fact paid off Helena’s victims to forget their troubles but she’d curtailed that behavior years ago after Helena’s father passed away. Although Bette was a victim she was also family so having to go through this formality was heart wrenching for Peggy.

On the recommendation of her attorney’s they had suggested that she make this offer of restitution formally through the Peabody Corporation’s legal department but in fact it was just a generous gesture from a woman that had great affection for Bette. A woman who only wanted to make things up to her beloved in the only way she knew how.

“Bette darling, sorry to keep you waiting I was hoping that you’d call. I was getting a bit worried when I hadn’t heard from you. I wanted to call but under the circumstances I thought it better if I waited for you to contact me. I know this must have come as a shock out of the blue like this. I didn’t know how you would receive it.”

“Peggy I’ve been out of town for the past several days. I just got back yesterday and this was my first opportunity to go through my mail. I just read your letter and viewed the contents of the package a few minutes ago.”

“Bette. I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am. I had no idea of the extent of the destruction my daughter was wreaking during the time that she headed up the foundation. I basically let go of the reigns and traveled the world without a care. It wasn’t until I returned two years ago that I was made aware of everything that had taken place and until now I had no idea about her part in your losing the Directorship at the CAC. Bette you have always known how to contact me. Why didn’t you call or email to let me know what was going on with you and Helena? Why have you kept all this from me for so many years?”