“Are you trying to get into her pants?”

“What?”

“It’s no secret that she doesn’t like you and now your taking up for her.  I believe what you say is true, but I’m trying to figure out why you’re saying it.”

“I’m saying it because I wish that I had a relationship with my mother.  In hindsight, I should have done anything to keep it, but I didn’t.  I regret it.”

“Where’s your mother now, Bette?”

Bette just shrugged, “I have no idea.”

Bette’s eyes told Peggy she didn’t really want to talk about it.

“Mummy, are you home?” The voice came from the front of the house.  It was the distinctive voice of Helena.

“In the dining room!”

Helena turned the corner.  She was excited to see Bette was there and she looked so beautiful in her pantsuit.

“Good afternoon, Bette.” Helena smiled in her direction.

“Good afternoon.”

“Oh, Helena, you should have been here five minutes earlier.  Bette has convinced me that perhaps I may have treated you harshly.  If I talked to you like a civilized person, then maybe we could have a closer relationship.  So, what do you say, Helena?  Will you give your foolish mother another chance?”

Helena glanced towards Bette and then back at her mother, “Yeah, of course.”

“Good.  Then you and I will—how do you say it?  Hang out?”

Helena laughed at her mother, “Yeah, we’ll hang out.”

“So, it’s settled.  Darling I’ll call you.”  She motioned at her personal chef, “Please, whip up my daughter a salad.  Helena, please sit.  You two eat, and I will be,” She motioned with her hands, “around.”

Helena took a seat across from Bette and watched her mother leave.

“Why did you defend me?”

Bette looked up, “I know what it feels like.  I don’t want to see your relationship with your mother ruined.  You never know if you’ll never see her again.”

They continued to eat in silence.

As Helena got up to leave, Bette walked behind her, reaching out to her hips and turning her around.  She pressed her against a nearby wall.  Bette ran her hands up the length of her body.  Her hands slid under her shorts from the bottom up, sliding past her underwear to grab her glutes.  Bette’s mouth was only inches away from Helena’s.  She continued to hold her at bay, even though Helena’s mouth moved closer to hers.

I shiver when I hear your name, I think about you but it’s not the same, I won’t be satisfied ‘til I’m under your skin—Maroon 5, Shiver

“The only way you’re going to top me is if I LET you.  The only way you’re going to have control, is if I GIVE it to you.  Understood?” Helena couldn’t seem to find words to answer her, “I thought so.  Hope you continue to have a good day, Helena.”

Bette left Helena there in the hall and retired to her office.

It wasn’t until then that Helena realized the role she now played in this game of chase.

She was the mouse and Bette was the cat—and she was looking as if she was ready to pounce.