“Why should I fucking believe you now? You hated Bette; you always resented her because your mother paid attention to her instead of you.”

“No, no, Tina, please…hear me out,” Helena pleaded as Tina started to walk out, “I did hate her, but I was younger back then. I am an adult and now I see what my mother sees.”

“Oh yeah, like what,” Tina asked, her angry demeanor diminishing.

“Well for one her talent. My mother’s house is filled with her work and I wish I had half the talent that she does. And another, even though we didn’t grow up together or anything, I feel like she’s the sister I never had. Someone to grow up and aspire to be like; even though she’s only seven years older, I look up to her. I was immature and a spoiled brat back when she was starting to make a name for herself. I was fifteen when mum brought her into my life and I resented her. But what I failed to see was the brilliance and the passion she brought to her art. I regret not getting to know her like I should have. I only hope now I can.”

“Well, I don’t know. I need to go find her, she’s probably really upset.”

“Can you please tell her I didn’t mean for this to happen. Please.”

“Yeah sure,” Tina said, her anger gone.

“I feel bad about this. I’m going to pull Peabody funding from the CAC immediately.”

“Let me talk to Bette, I’ll call you later.”

She left Helena’s office and called Bette. Her cell went straight to messages and her phone at the CAC was already replaced by Leo’s voicemail. She cringed as she heard Leo’s voice on her wife’s line. She decided to go home, her meetings were done and any work she needed done, she held off until the next day. So much was going on in Bette’s life that she thought something good had to come from all this. As she got home, she saw Bette’s car in the driveway. She got out and ran to the house, as she looked for Bette, she noticed her and Alexander sitting on the patio outside. Alexander noticed her and excused himself, he gave Tina a reassuring smile and patted her arm comfortingly and walked passed her.