***

“Your grandchildren are lovely Peggy.

“Thank you Maxine. I’m very blessed to have them in my life. When my daughter gave up her parental rights Winnie could have taken them away from us but she’s not vindictive. She knows how much I love those children and they love me. She never even thought of separating us.”

“The separation has to be hard on your daughter. Does she ever talk to them?”

“Hardly since she gave up the fight. My daughter wasn’t much of a mother to those children. I don’t think she ever really wanted a family. I suppose some of it is my fault. I was never a good role model; we both failed miserably at parenting. Like me she always put her own needs first and neglected her children. I didn’t realize the adverse effects that can have on a child until it was too late. She was estranged from Wilson and Jun Yin for three years before she left the country. She spent two of those years in prison. Now she’s on some tiny island on the other side of the world; hopefully making a fresh start. When she was with the children she wasn’t ‘with them’. They were always in the care of a nanny while she entertained a string of girlfriends. She only used the children to hurt Winnie. It really wasn’t a healthy situation for any of them. The children especially Wilson has had some problems as a result which is why I supported Winnie’s petition for sole custody and termination of her parental rights.”

Of course her situation was different from Helena’s but Maxine couldn’t help but reflect on how hurt she was to learn that Melvin had terminated her parental rights to her daughter. It was something else that she needed to talk to Peter about. She wanted her rights reinstated as Bette’s legal mother.

I’m sorry to hear that.” She said turning her attention back to Peggy.

“They’re fine now. After years of therapy and being placed in a stable home environment they’ve adjusted remarkably well. Winnie and Judith are both wonderful mothers to all three children. They’ve blended their families beautifully. I’m glad to see them all so happy and contented. Lord knows it wasn’t like that when Helena was around. She made Winnie’s life a living hell.”