“Helena I didn’t mean to upset you. I don’t want to appear ungrateful but don’t you think $100,000 is overly generous for a $30,000 project? We are already being linked romantically. Bette is suggesting that maybe people will be of the perception that our personal relationship somehow influenced your decision.”

“Tina now you are being ridiculous. I didn’t even know you when I made my decision to fund your project. It was months ago. As I’ve told you before I chose it because it was the most impressive of all that I received. I realize that it’s more than three times what you asked for in your proposal but it presented an opportunity for me to make a grand gesture. I shifted funds from other very worthy projects in order to do this. I’m getting flak from the art world as well as the social services community but I’m willing to withstand it to make my point. The Peabody Corporation is under new leadership. Our focus is shifting away from ‘passion projects’ which was always the case under my mother’s reign to ones of a more substantive nature. Peggy Peabody is an eccentric billionaire, not a business woman. People like Bette Porter have taken advantage of her generosity and her heart for people. I’ve sat in the background and let it happen but I’m no longer indulging her little eccentricities. This is my company, my legacy, my inheritance, my birthright. I will run it in the way I see fit. If anyone is trying to procure funds through personal associations its Bette Porter. She thought she could just waltz into my office and turn on the charm and I would be putty in her hands but it doesn’t work that way. The CAC has to be held to the same standards and criteria as anyone else and she came up short. ”

“So you’re saying that you didn’t slight Bette purposely, and you’re not using me and the center in some kind of power play between the two of you?”

“Tina Bette telling you this is her way of justifying losing out on the CAC grant. Keeping you from me is self-serving on her part and has nothing to do with your reputation and everything to do with hers. You left her for a man Tina because she couldn’t satisfy you sexually. She’d resigned herself to blaming it on your sexual ambiguity not her lack of sexual prowess. Seeing you in public with a woman that you obviously desire, a woman that can turn you inside out in ways she can only imagine, a woman that can bring forth a side of you that she didn’t even know existed is driving her crazy and she can’t handle it. This combined with the fact that she thinks I’ve usurped her standing in the art world by denying the grant is feeding her delusion that I’m out to get her. It’s no wonder she sees me as the enemy. This has all been an extreme blow to her ego and self-esteem. The belittling of our relationship is the only way she can endure it Tina. Believe me I’ve been in this situation before with ex-lovers. If I were so inclined the only way I could use you to get back at Bette is if she was still in love with you. I’m not saying she doesn’t care about you but I think she’s moved way past you and is well into her new life with Emma. She’s having a baby with a new partner for Christ sakes how much more proof do you need that you’re just on the periphery now. It’s time you make a life for yourself that doesn’t revolve around Bette Porter.”