“He’s not home”

+“How convenient” Helena said softly, but Tina heard her.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Is this typical of him?”

“Remember that I told you he started writing?”

“Yes”, Helena said, that’s another thing”__They were seated on facing sofas, Tina was nursing a cup of coffee. “He leaves frequently, doesn’t he? I know it’s none of my business Tina but don’t you find it strange that he just started writing out of the blue? And if he had to write, why not from home? He has plenty of space here.”

“He just wants somewhere quiet to work.”

“You’re sure of this?”

Since Tina had been harboring those same thoughts herself, Helena’s comment smarted. “Sure about what?, my husband’s whereabouts?”

“Henry not being here couldn’t have worked out more perfectly. We can speak freely.” Helena answered instead.

Tina was pretending a nonchalance she didn’t feel. “I have absolutely no idea what you’re implying, but you definitely got my attention.”

Helena loved Tina dearly, from the very first day seven years ago when Helena had been introduced to her at her girl-friend’s birthday party they had become good friends since. When Helena had found out that her girl-friend was cheating on her, Tina was there for her, she had helped her picked up the pieces of her life and Helena had vowed to repay the favor one day. When Tina had told her that she had planned to marry Henry, Helena had, had reservations about the marriage. She thought it was too soon. She and Tina had talked about the feelings she was developing for women and Helena thought that Tina should take the time to explore her feelings.

But once again Tina did not want to disappoint daddy. Mr. Kennard was a wealthy man,but Tina did not want to be under her daddy’s thumb. And that’s how she had ended up working for Helena, to the disappointment of her dad.. So when he had introduced Tina to -Henry, she had just gone along with it to please her dad. After three months of dating Tina had announced her engagement and Helena had prayed that Tina would come to her senses before the wedding.

“How well does Henry know Nadia?” Helena asks

Tina was definitely curious now. “Why are you asking me this? Isn’t she the gossip columnist?” Helena nods her head.