“Can we come back to my house instead?”

“If that’s what you want?”

“It’s what I want.”

“Fine. I’ll pick you up for the dinner around 5pm.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll just meet you there.”

“OK. I’ll see you later darling. Have a good day.”

“Thank you. Bye Helena.”

Helena rarely apologized but she knew she’d pushed Tina too far too soon. She had immediately regretted the things she said and how she’d acted the night before. Once she’d cooled off she realized how sickeningly possessive and controlling she’d been with Tina. Experience told her that that kind of behavior would make Tina run away from her and Tina’s reaction was evidence of that. Helena knew that she’d have to grovel, which was out of character for her but it was important to get Tina to trust her again. After the success of the phone call with Tina she felt fortified to make the next call on her list.

***

After hanging up with Tina Helena called Winnie at the hotel. For the first time in recent history Helena apologized to her ex and they had a rather civilized conversation. Some of what Tina had said the night before about talking to Winnie instead of always yelling resonated with Helena. Her credo of ‘never apologize, never explain’ had flown out the window the first time she met Tina. Now she found that she could easily apologize if it met her purpose. She was also learning the truth of the popular expression ‘you can catch more flies with sugar than vinegar’ which was evident when Winnie’s response was pleasant and agreeable on the phone.

Winnie was surprised at Helena’s apology but having experienced many of Helena’s manipulative ploys over the years to get what she wanted Winnie saw this as just another maneuver in their game play. Although a cynic when it came to Helena Winnie didn’t have to be to recognize that Helena was changing tactics in the hopes of putting Winnie off her guard. Winnie almost laughed at the absurdity of Helena employing this new approach so late in the game. It wouldn’t be the first time that Helena had tried to convince Winnie that she could change her ways.