**

Tina escaped the bookstore at 2.00pm and headed across to her mother’s office. The office was as busy as always and Tina greeted several people who she had known for years as she made her way to her mother’s huge office. Tina opened the door to her mother’s office. She was standing at the drinks tray pouring what looked to be a double scotch
“Hello mother “
Emma turned – Tina could see that she was miserable and that scotch probably wasn’t her first of the day.
“Tina “
“Can I come in ?”
“You already are “
Tina walked in, closed the door and sat down facing her mother who had returned to her desk. Tina wondered how she was going to deal with a obviously hurting parent.
“How are you ?” Tina asked
“Peachy – how was your weekend away ?”
“Wonderful “ Tina replied. Tina toyed with what to say – to bring up the painting which was a very sore point or to concentrate on Helena.
“Helena came to see Bette yesterday – she was very upset. Bette said it was obvious that she had been crying “
Emma didn’t reply
“What happened mom ?”
“She prefers her friends to me “
Tina recognised the passive-aggressive mood that had always driven her other mom crazy – this was not going to be easy. Tina did feel for her mother but maybe she was the only person who would be
“Mom – this is me – you were very wound up on Thursday “
“I was stitched up like a kipper “
“Mom – the whole painting thing has been a mess from start to finish. Forget it “
“I am not going to forget how I was screwed “
“Are you telling me that you didn’t check the providence of the painting ? You have interns who you love to test and that sort of thing is meat and drink to some of them. I have been thinking a lot about it – you have had interns checking out new neighbours we got, you have checked out my girlfriends – you don’t do anything without checking.”
“I slipped up “
Tina cursed herself for being so easily fooled – she had let herself believe that her mother had changed – she damn well had not changed at all
“Look at me “
Emma didn’t. Tina got up and putting her hands on the desk she leant over to her mother
“Look at me “
Emma did – there was something of herself about her daughter – like how she was like a dog with a bone when she thought she was onto something. Tina searched Emma’s eyes – she hadn’t been sleeping but that was not what Tina could see
“You knew “
“Knew what “
“You knew the providence of that fucking painting “
“No “
Tina narrowed her eyes “Swear that “
“Okay “
Tina didn’t believe her for one second
“Swear on my mother’s grave “
“Don’t be fucking dramatic Tina “
“You can’t swear it because you bloody knew that was a painting of Peggy’s yacht”
“Yes “
“I KNEW IT “ Tina shouted
“So what – it made me even more determined to get the painting – for Helena “
“You have lied all along about not knowing the significance of that painting. To think that I came here because I felt sorry for you “
Emma looked angry -Tina wanted to scream. Instead she went over to the drinks tray and poured herself a small scotch – she was trying to find something to do to delay the moment when she really lost her temper. Tina was slow and deliberate in picking a glass, adding some ice and putting a couple of splashes of scotch into the glass. That done she drank it down in one – the strong taste stung her throat and she winched. Finally she went back to her seat and looked at her mother. Tina missed her other mom all the time but at times like this with Emma in the wrong and angry she missed how Kate would have dealt with her. Tina shook her head and deliberately spoke slowly searching for the right words
“Mom – you have something special with Helena “
“Its just a matter of time before Peggy threatens to cut her off without a dollar unless she drops me “
“And you have so little faith in Helena that you think she would go running after the dollar signs – you have no faith in her do you ?”
“You think she would walk away from the Peabody fortunes for me ?”
“First – Peggy hasn’t made any such demand – I know that she is mighty pissed off but you really haven’t played it smart have you. For someone whose living is knowing about people you really have not figured out how to handle Peggy. As soon as you found out about that painting you could have scored huge brownie points by taking it to Peggy and showing it to her and telling her that you had bought it for Helena. That would have really taken the wind out of her sails – instead you get all secretive to get it – you must have been horrified when you found out that Bette was after it for Peggy,. Then you claim the high ground and finally you utterly blow every good card you have by insulting Bette, her parents and Peggy “
“You are all against me “
“No one is against you – Bette has been going into swing for you. She has been defending you with her parents and with Peggy and have you damn well forgotten that Bette is my partner. Do not EVER imply that I have to pick between the two of you – even for you that was a low blow “
“Lower than you just telling me to swear on Kate’s grave ?”
“Maybe I am more like you than either of us would like to admit “ Tina replied. She sighed and sat down
“Mom – this is a mess and you are at the heart of it “
Emma sighed and pushed the glass away from her
“I know “
All the fight look like it had drained from Emma, Tina rubbed her eyes – she had been so determined to help her mother, then she had been angry when she realised that she had caught her out in a lie – and now – well she was back to feeling sorry for her
“Fix it “
“How ?”
“Helena loves you mom – go and see her – tell her that you were hurt and angry. Do whatever it takes for her to forgive you. “
“I don’t know”
“You know Melvin once told Bette that whether you two could survive depended one whether one of you or both of you could learn to admitting your faults and grovelling now and again. Helena has climbed down – the casino when she said that about my grandfather. Well this is your turn – you owe apologises to Bette, her parents but most of all -Helena.”
Emma sighed “God why do I do these stupid fucking things Tina ?”
“Because you are not an emotionless ninja – you are human and fragile and that means you make an utter arse of yourself now and again. Granted when you do it you do it with whistles and bells and a freaking parade. Tell me something – do you love Helena ?”
“Yes – you know I do. She’s totally changed my life “
“So go and see her – tell her that you are an utter idiot and beg for her forgiveness. Then you have some other fences to mend but the most important one is Helena.”
“Its her birthday on Thursday – I was really miserable thinking I wouldn’t be with her”
“So go see her “
“What should I take ?”
“Mom – this isn’t a time for flowers, chocolates or anything else – this is the time to go and see her and beg her to forgive you. After that – well you have other things to do but you are more likely to get the others to forgive you if Helena has forgiven you for insulting her mother, her best friend and her best friends parents who she adores and who were there for her when her father died. If Helena isn’t worth it – then don’t bother but if you love her like I think you do – do whatever it takes to get her to take you back “