“We’ll see Peggy”.  I’m not promising anything right now.  Alright will do, you take care too” Bette replied, handing the phone back to Helena.

“So mummy wants to set you up aye?”  Helena asked revealing a mouth full of perfect white teeth.  “She knows not to try anything with me.”  Helena snapped.   “Besides, she has no taste in women.  She proclaimed to be ***** for one year and now she knows everything???”  What’s that about Bette?

Bette just laughed at the words and phrases Helena was now incorporating into her vocabulary. 

 “Well, yes she does want to set me up on a date.  I don’t think I’m ready for all of this.  You heard that I didn’t commit to anything.” Bette replied.

“And sweetums”, Helena said while tenderly taking one of Bette’s delicate hands in hers. “Please  know that you don’t have to be ‘ready’ for anything”.  There is no timeline for this sort of thing.  The only reason I’m dating again is because I love ***** too much to be alone.  How crass is that?  You would think that I would have some respect for Darby in that regard.  But I pretty much disassociate myself with the person and just enjoy the act.  It’s pretty sad actually.  Helena returned her eyes to the window and stared at the rain pouring down.

“Hel, you’re allowed to enjoy your life.  I know about the timeline theory, but I think two years is sufficient time to allow yourself some fun Hel.  It’s okay.”  

 “Why can I tell her that but I can’t apply it to myself?” Bette curiously wondered.  “Hey, are you going back to work now? “

“Yeah, I need to tidy up my office a bit. It looks like a tornado hit my desk and I have a ton of rubbish to discard.  Then I’m going to head over to Lauren’s for awhile to well, you know” she said flashing a lightening quick smile.

Bette’s thoughts turned to Lauren. She and Helena had been seeing each other for a couple of months now.  Helena pulled no punches and informed Lauren of her current situation upfront.  In the past, Helena always had an agenda when it came to relationships and hunted women purposefully as though they were her prey.  By the time the poor damsels knew anything, her captive were tightly bound and begging for mercy while Helena went in search of her next victim.  It was a never-ending cycle until Helena met Darby.  Darby was good for Helena and took no *****; although Helena did test her on occasion.  Helena fully respected her and loved her like she had no other.  Like most couples though, they had their share of problems and miscommunication and tried their best to overcome them.  Most dealt with Helena‘s working style.  Like Bette, she was dedicated beyond belief and suffered from being a workaholic.  Darby loved Helena‘s company and had been known to be upset when Helena wasn’t available for her.  Upon Darby’s death, Helena wrestled with the unfairness of life and gave in to the fact that sometimes life simply is what it is.  On the other hand, Lauren and Helena were basically good friends with benefits. Their relationship was built on a mutual understanding.    Sometimes Helena couldn’t wait to be alone after spending time with Lauren or with anyone for that matter.  Well, with the exception of Bette. 

Helena interrupted Bette’s thoughts.  ”Please ring me if you need anything Bette, anything at all okay?  I’ll see you later.”

 “Okie doke” said Bette. 

TBC…