Helena was so used to having her way without any resistance that she was surprised when Tina stood her ground about attending the workshop. Eventually they agreed that Tina would come back to the beach house later that afternoon once Helena and the kids returned from Sea World. Of course Helena had put it totally out of her mind that she’d made plans with Winnie to see the children for lunch.

Tina had some time before she had to meet Pat and Hilma at Venice Beach. Her body needed some relaxation so she decided to take advantage of Helena spa tub to indulge in a therapeutic bath.

“Is it OK if I take a bath? I need to soak.”

“Of course. Help yourself to whatever you need. I’ll go see about the kids.”

Helena got up and put on her robe. She was obviously not happy that Tina wouldn’t be joining them at Sea World but she didn’t want to push Tina too far. Tina got out of bed and made her way to the master bathroom to treat herself to a soothing bubble bath. She knew Helena had ravished her body by the achyness but she wasn’t prepared for all the bruising she saw when she examined herself in the full length mirror. She had a few marks on her neck and chest but most of them wouldn’t be visible under her clothing. Thank goodness that with the cooler weather she could wear long sleeves and a scarf.

***

Winnie pulled up to the Planet in West Hollywood in the late afternoon finally finding calm after a nerve-racking day. She’d waited for almost two hours at the hotel restaurant expecting Helena to bring the children for lunch. She’d called the house and was told by the staff that Helena was out and they didn’t know what time she’d return. She called Helena’s cell phone and got voicemail repeatedly. She left several messages throughout the day each one angrier than the last as the hours ticked by. She’d taken a drive to calm down and finally it was time to meet Peggy Peabody at the Planet.

She knew about the Planet from Peggy having mentioned it as one of her favorite haunts in Los Angeles and they’d made arrangements to meet there when they spoke earlier in the week. Peggy had called Winnie to speak to her grand-kids as soon as she arrived in New York. The kids were out at a friend’s birthday party but Peggy got an earful when she asked how things were going with Helena. Winnie told Peggy that Helena wanted the children with her in Los Angeles and that they were flying out the next day. It was at that time that she and Peggy made arrangements to meet at the Planet. She told Winnie not to let on to Helena that she was back in the states, and she especially didn’t want Helena to know that she was in Los Angeles.