~~
Bette was lying holding Tina as they lay together on Tina’s bed. They had met up for drinks after work and had ended up coming back to make love. Bette couldn’t remember ever being in a better place than the one she was in now. Her gallery was doing really well and so was her relationship with her beloved Tina. Next to her Tina opened her eyes and looked up at Bette
“I saw Helena today at work “
“Bet that was embarrassing “
“Why would it be ?”
Bette really couldn’t fathom why Tina was being so cool about this new and very odd relationship
“It doesn’t enter your head that they have sex “
Tina laughed “I wouldn’t have thought that you would have been bothered by it “
“I try not to think about it “
Tina kissed Bette’s stomach “Its not something that I do think about but she is my mother – can you imagine your parents having sex “
“Gross Tina “
Tina laughed “So why should I be any different and think about mom and Helena “
“Its weird “
“So what – she’s having a good time and there is no harm in that “
Bette shook her head “I don’t want anyone to get hurt “
“No one will “
“Anyway – what happened between you and Helena ?”
“Helena was acting like I was about to sock her one – it was a really different side to her”
“Helena doesn’t explain or apologise “
“She didn’t do either because there is no reason for her to. She just said that they are having fun and they are not hurting anyone “
“Helena never sets out to hurt anyone “
Tina raised an eyebrow
“Meaning ?”
“Well all those accusations about me being a player from your mother – its ironic that I never was and Helena is the very definition of being a player “
“My mother was a player as you know “
Bette didn’t think it was the same thing but knew that it was a subject they fundamentally didn’t agree on and it wasn’t worth making things worse – not when the Emma and Helena relationship was one that had no chance of surviving more than a few days.
“Maybe you should talk to Helena “ Tina said after a few minutes — Bette opened her eyes
“Why ?”
“Because you said it yourself – you went over the top “
“I did “
“So talk to her “
“I will “
“When ?”
“When what ?”
Tina sat up and looked at Bette
“Your relationship with Helena is a really important one to you – you love her like a sister and I think that is brilliant – do not let this thing that she is having with my mother spoil anything – its not worth it “
“I will “
“Why don’t you do it now ?”
“Now ?”
“Yeah – I assume that you are staying tonight ?”
“Well I was hoping “
“Let me re-phrase that – you are staying tonight – you have that meeting tomorrow with that dealer from LA – wearing today’s clothes tomorrow isn’t going to impress him “
“I could go home in the morning “
“it’s a morning meeting “
“What time ?”
“You expect me to remember that – I remembered the meeting didn’t I ?”
Bette cursed and got out of bed to check her notebook – Tina had been right – the meeting was at 8:30 – that would mean an insanely early start if she had to leave Tina in the morning and get home – get changed and still get to the hotel the dealer was staying at.
Bette looked at Tina
“You are right – I am going to have to nip home to get an overnight bag “
“It might be an idea for you to leave some clothes here in future “
“That would not be a bad idea” Bette said smiling
“We should both leave a bag at the other’s place “
“I bought you a tooth brush “
“Yes you did and you have one here “
Bette sighed and picked up her clothes “What do you fancy to eat ?”
“Tonight ? I don’t mind “
“Well I just thought I could pick a pizza or something up for us on the way back “
“As long as you go and make peace with Helena “
“What if your mother is there ?”
Tina raised an eyebrow
“I don’t know “
“Bette – I am not going to tell you what to do but the impression I got from Helena today was that both you and Peggy had given her a verbal slapping and she was feeling fragile”
Bette nodded – Tina was right “Okay – I will call by and see Helena “
“Take your diary – she might want that double date we talked about “