“Well Emma is the exception – Helena doesn’t get to be a overbearing Peabody just because she wants to and because she doesn’t expect to get called on it – she and Emma treat one another with respect. “
“I am sorry Bette but I still cannot see Helena – my only daughter keep on with this farce”
“How do you think you are going to stop her ?”
“I have not figured that out yet “
“Peggy – if you interfere and she finds out you will do more damage to your daughter than any fall out from this relationship she is having with Emma. They are deeply into one another – they are happy and its really something to see “
“I cannot believe that they have fooled you – tell me Bette – what would your attitude to this be if the older woman was not the mother of your beloved Tina ?”
Bette hesitated “I would hope that I would be convinced by the evidence in front of my eyes like I have with Helena and Emma. Peggy – I blew a fuse when I found out – Tina shamed me into changing my tune but deep down I was still utterly at a lose as to what the hell the pair of them were playing at . But – seeing them together – its really blown me away. I have seen Helena with way more women that you have Peggy – from when she was just finding out about her sexuality and dating all types to recent years and her dating models and lawyers and rich bored millionaires just like her . I have seen the lot – what I have not seen is Helena at ease, relaxed, enjoying herself without a couple of bottles of champagne inside her and really content. Did you know that last weekend Helena booked a private box at the opera and Emma persuaded her that what she really wanted to do that evening was cook and watch a pile of movies and Helena told me that she loved the evening they had way more than she would have enjoyed the night at the opera. They fit – I have no damn idea how or why but from the six months I have spent with Tina – I will tell you that the best thing is that it is so inexplicable. Peggy – please cut them some slack”
“Your loyalty to her is a very good thing Bette – it’s a rare trait and I am very happy that Helena has you as her best friend but you really cannot expect me to just accept this travesty “
“Tell me something Peggy “
“Yes ?”
“What would Helena’s father have made of it ?”
Peggy blinked and didn’t speak
“Her father ?”
“Yes – I only ask because I found this in a catalogue a couple of days ago “
Bette handed Peggy a sheet from a sales catalogue. It was of a painting of a luxury yacht
“The name of the boat really startled me – “The Peggy Helena” – and I remembered that Helena’s father loved his boats and Helena told me once at college that her father’s boat had been destroyed in a tropical storm and she was very upset – that’s why she’s such a fantastic swimmer and diver and fisherman as well – she gets it from her dad “
Peggy stared at the sheet and rubbed tears from her eyes
“Oh God Bette – where the hell did this appear from ?”
“I don’t know – it’s a private auction down in Miami – I am trying to find out about the vendor and how much they want “
“Its his yacht – crazy name for a yacht I always told him — he should have just called it The Helena – she was the apple of his eye – she couldn’t do anything wrong “
“Daughters can never do anything wrong in the eyes of their fathers – I speak from personal experience here”
“Who on earth would have painted this ?”
“As I say – I am looking into it – but you can call me a sentimental old fool and I am and I know that I am treading on very thin ice here but maybe it’s a sign “
“As sign of what ?”
“That he’s watching over both of you “
“Do you believe that Bette ?”
“Tina does – Tina really believes that Kate is still around and she can tell that she approves of the two of us. Peggy – I know that you are going to tell me that love makes idiots of us all and she’s got me soft in the head. I have never lost a parent – Tina has and she is convinced that her mother is smiling down on her “
“And is she smiling down on her wife screwing a woman whose age range is that of her daughter ?”
“Tina told Emma that all that would matter to Kate was that Emma was happy and laughing and having some fun and not spending all her time working “
Peggy shook her head – what total and utter bullshit – but she kept looking at the picture – it had shaken her up.
“I have not seen this sight in 18 years Bette “
“I remember Helena telling me it had been smashed up “
“I had put it in for repairs – it had been moored up over the winter and it had taken a bashing – nothing serious. I got it repaired and the boat yard sent it out to test its seaworthiness – a tropical storm hit it very hard – one that changed direction without warning – the crew were lucky to be picked up by a fishing boat – the yacht got smashed up on some rocks however and then it caught fire”
“I didn’t remember the whole story but as soon as I saw it – a shudder went down my spine “
“Not as much as its shaken me Bette “
“I am sorry Peggy – I showed it to Tina and she said that you and Helena should know about it”
“Absolutely – do you think you could spare a drink for an old woman who has had a shock ?“
“Of course – come through “