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Provocations Linger- Chapter 10
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“Help yourself Bette. Make up a plate and we can sit out on the patio and chat a bit.”
A long French farm table offered a bowl of fruit, a breadbasket, jams, an assortment of cheeses and both a pot of coffee and tea. It looked marvelous and reminded Bette of the breakfast she and Tina had pilfered earlier that day on their flight. “Was that only this morning?”
“Helena. This is lovely. You didn’t need to do all this, I told your mother I really hoped not to intrude…”
“Intrude? Nonsense! On the contrary, Bette, I’ve been curious to meet you for some time now. I’m delighted to finally do so.”
Bette smiled gratefully, trying to hide her own surprise. Until this morning she couldn’t recall ever hearing about Helena Peabody.
She followed the heiress thru French doors out to a private garden. The sanctuary was understated but clearly landscaped with great care. Beautiful flowerbeds and rows of hedges sheltered a magnificent sculpture garden.
Helena led Bette to a shady corner and took a seat on a deep cushioned chair, inviting Bette to take the one adjoining her.
Bette looked at the tall beauty speculatively.
“Helena… how did you know about my lunch today? I don’t remember telling Peggy my plans.”
The brunette smiled conspiratorially at Bette. “That’s because you didn’t. Judith told me. She’s looking forward to meeting you.” Helena shrugged at the look on Bette’s face.
Bette was more confused than before. “Judith told you… And how did she happen to mention our lunch to you? Up until now we didn’t even know each other. Why would she bother?”
Helena pulled her legs up underneath her, grinning at Bette.
“One coincidence and two… less coincidental forces. Care to guess?”
Bette sighed, but smiled back tiredly at Helena. “I’ll put your mother and Tina Kennard in the ‘less coincidental’ column… no idea about the 3rd part.”
“Aaaah. So you already know that Tina and I are friends.”
“Not until this morning actually,” Bette admitted.
Now it was Helena’s turn to be confused.
“This morning? You saw Tina this morning? Are you two finally back together?”
“Tina and I? Back together? Um… no. We ended up on the red eye together from LA. I guess that’s my coincidence in this.” Bette half smiled.
“You and Tina? You flew to New York with Tina this morning? Unplanned?” Helena marveled.
Bette thought privately that Helena and Tina did more than ‘date a bit’; the heiress seemed to grasp quite well how intense the flight must have been for the ex-couple.
Shaking her head Bette tried to get back on track, “So how did Judith come to mention our lunch?”
“She asked mother about you before she ever agreed to have lunch with you. She was curious about you. A quick bit of homework informed her you’re a lesbian and a bit of a maverick. She knew of your association with mother from the Provocation days and called her for her opinion.
“Because I’m gay?” Bette was mystified. “Is Judith a lesbian?”
“Oh, Christ no, she’s recklessly heterosexual but her mother was a lesbian and I think she’s taken with the idea of entrusting her mum’s work to a ‘sister’, a kindred Spirit, so to speak.”
“Okay… so I can see how your mother ties into this- what’s Tina’s connection?”
Helena smiled. “Oh. Not much really, I just paid attention when Judith mentioned she was giving you the LA tour because to me, you’re “Tina’s ‘Bette.’ Otherwise it would have likely gone in one ear and out the other when she mentioned your lunch….”
Helena was surprised to find herself sharing so much with Bette. She had prepared herself to either admire this woman or detest her… liking her wasn’t on her list of options.
“Tina’s ‘Bette.’” Bette’s heart stuttered over that descriptive. She knew she should probably be focused on the fact that Judith Trope told Helena that she’d already decided to give Bette the LA tour, but all she could think about was ‘Tina’s Bette.’
“What did you mean earlier when you asked if we were ‘finally back together?’”
Helena smiled at the Brunette, thinking ‘right question.’ Aloud she reminded Bette she had a lunch meeting to prepare for.
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Woo hoo, you’re back!!! I was actually just rereading this story the other day & thinking about sending you a PM to bug you about an update….since that is no longer necessary, I will say loved the interaction between B and Hels…I grew to like Helena on the show & after meeting RS at L5, love her even more, so it’s nice when she’s likable in FF….glad to see that B picked up on the “..finally back together” comment as well….can’t wait to see if this quick business meeting weekend turns into something more…..Thx SO much for the great update and PPVS!!!!
Yes, Yes, Yes!!! I knew if I kept bugging you long enough you’d eventually break down and continue the story. Huzzah! So, I guess that means I must offer a quid pro quo — good thing I have been diligently writing. So…what can I say? This chapter was such a wonderful continuation of your earlier work. I loved the tension between Sam and Bette; it was palpable. You could feel the knots forming in poor Sam’s stomach. Tess was a riot for coming onto Bette with Tina in the car. The whole scene with Helena will lead to endless obsessions for Bette — I hope she’s able to concentrate on her lunch meeting. As I posted in my last comment – Bette is so NOT leaving NY within 24 hours — at least I hope she doesn’t. Please keep writing — it’s just too good!
I am stunned. Gobsmacked. I was so shocked that I had to check that I hadn’t somehow wound up on an old page. It’s so thrilling that you’ve brought your story back. I am really looking forward to how you will weave future “coincidences.” I can’t wait. Please sit down and type right now. No bathroom breaks until the next chapter is posted. (Or, if being demanding is backfiring, how about [imagine my meek voice] please, when you maybe could spare a little time, if you maybe write another chapter, but as long as it takes will be okay). Thanks for returning.
Wow! Welcome back. I’d hoped that this story would continue. Looking forward to the continuation.
great to see this story back…i hope your computer won’t give you any problems so we can get more soon
Wow! Welcome back! Can’t wait for you to continue this! PPS
OMFG!I don’t know what’s more intriguing – Helena and Bette or the endless possibility of Helena’s backstory with Tina. I really liked Helena and the way Rachel S. developed her.Delighted you’re doing this!
OMG! i can’t believe there is an update on this story. I’m really looking forward to know what is going to happen.
I’m really happy to see this story continue!
I’m reading this story for the first time and it’s excellent. I’m addicted already!Please don’t wait too long before posting the next chapter….
Well Zuzu, I had all but given up on getting any more updates to this story, when all of a sudden what should appear in front of my wondering eyes….but an update from Zuzu. Well as soon as I picked myself up off the floor, I devoured the chapter. It was excellent! I loved this story and the way you explored their reaction to that night so…Please…do you think we can we get another update before next year
welcome back…i missed you. cant wait to read more.
yes a serious double take when I saw this ..glad you are back.
I remember this story. Tina’s Bette, now I like the sound that those two names make together.
I remember this story! Excellent update! The techie in me reminds you all, “Backup, backup, backup your data early and often!”
Oh man! Welcome back. I have missed this story. Thank you so much for posting and I can’t wait to see what happens. Thank you again :)
OMFG – how good is this story?????!!! Just laid in bed on a saturday morn and read it all, soooo glad you’ve picked it back up! this has gone straight to the top of my “stories to look out for” pps zuzu it’s brilliant!
You’re back! I’ll be waiting on the backstory with Helena and Tina, and certainly on more interaction with Bette and Tina. Thanks for continuing. Cheers
What a treat to see you back! Can’t wait to see where you’re taking us. Loved Helena’s comment about “Tina’s Bette”.
whats going here? helena being nice to Bette?