“What a night!”

“Are you and Bette getting back together?”

Alice turned, looking extremely shocked, “Why?  Did she say something about us?”

“No, I just wondered.”

“As far as I know, no.  We just don’t mesh as a couple.  We fight a lot.  Sex is phenomenal though.”

“So, I see.”

“If Bette asked me to get back together, I’d probably say yes.  I won’t lie about that, but I also know it would be the worst idea ever.  Still, we can’t help but be sexually attracted to one another.  Last night was probably the last time.”

“Ok.”

“Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know.  Don’t want you to get hurt.  Bette is a vampire…”

“Stop!  She’s a good person and even though we never worked out as a couple, when we were together, she treated me well.”  Alice filled a cup with coffee, “Maybe you should take a chance and be friends with her.  You might find that you have a lot in common.”

That was the part that scared Helena more than anything—the idea that they might actually have something in common.  She liked having someone to blame her problems on, as cruel as that sounded.  Becoming friends with Bette would only amplify her problems.

**

Bette showered, dressed, and took the drive to Malibu for her first day working with the legendary Peggy Peabody.  Peggy informed her that            she would mainly be working in acquisitions, but also in event planning.

Bette was good at both.

If there was anything that Bette was, she was a good talker.  When she spoke, people listened.  Bette spoke with authority and confidence.

Peggy watched Bette from the doorway of Bette’s office inside her home.

“Hi, Mr. Halsley.  This is Bette Porter calling on behalf of Peggy Peabody and the Peabody Foundation for the Arts.  My employer, Ms. Peabody, is looking to acquire two of your Kandinsky works for a fundraiser.” Bette took a pause, “Well, sir, we’re talking about Peggy Peabody.  No price is too large.”  Another pause, “I understand sir, but can you really put a price on the importance of giving a child a chance at learning and becoming passionate about art?  That’s what we think is important here at the Peabody Foundation for the Arts.”  Bette looked up at Peggy in the doorway and smiled, “So, we can count on you giving us two pieces.”  She took her last pause, “That price is fine sir.  Thank you very much and I hope to see you at the fundraiser.  Okay, thanks again.  Have a good day.  Bye.”

“So?” Peggy asked.

“Two Kandinsky pieces, $2 million together.  It was practically a steal.”

“Wow.  I’m impressed.”  Peggy sat on Bette’s desk, “I wish Helena was more like you.  You have a zeal and a fervor that I wish she had.”

Bette smiled, but she had no idea how to take this statement.  She almost felt bad for Helena.  She understood what it was like to have a parent be judgmental.

“Well, I have four more calls to make for donations and I have three caterers for you to see.  The first is scheduled to show in an hour.”

Peggy smiled, thanked Bette, and made her way out of the office.

**

Even though moving out of Peggy’s house was the most important thing Helena could do for herself, she missed the private beach on her mother’s property.  But instead of going home for just an hour to frolic on the beach alone, she decided to go to a public beach instead.

Helena lay out, secluded from the rest of the beach-goers.  She thought about what Alice said that morning—that if Bette wanted to get back together with her, she wouldn’t say no.

She wasn’t sure which bothered her more—the idea that Bette and Alice would be together and that meant Bette would be even more present her life or the idea that Bette and Alice would be together and Bette would no longer be on the market for her to pursue.

Her mother was having a fundraiser in a few nights.  Helena knew that Bette would be there.

Alice already decided to come to the fundraiser, in support of Bette.

Helena quietly wondered if they would both be vying for Bette’s attention.

After an hour of soaking in the sun, Helena decided to go home.