Fact is I’m grateful to Bette for everything she’s done for me. I’m not going to jeopardize my job or my career. I’m not going to hurt Bette again. I promise you I care about her. I know my actions in the past hurt her. I’m so grateful that she’s opened her heart up to me again and has forgiven me. I’m not a monster Tina. I feel remorse. I know when I am being given a second chance to make things right.”

Leigh had barely taken a breath since she started talking, and hadn’t given Tina a chance to say anything. She wasn’t sure how receptive Tina would be but if nothing else she would have her say, and get it all out.

“I want to make things right with you as well. I’m sorry for the role I played in Helena’s scheme but I was a victim as much as anyone else. She preyed on my naiveté. I thought she could accelerate my career faster than what Bette was offering me. I made a colossal mistake and believe me I’ve suffered for it over the past five years. When we got to New York I found myself being further seduced not only into a business relationship but a sexual one with Helena.

She owned my art, she owned me. She even wanted me to carry her child. I just couldn’t imagine bringing a child into her bizarre world. I didn’t love her and I don’t even think a child is what she really wanted. Her obsession was with pregnant women not the end result. She wanted me pregnant and when I refused she dumped me and moved on. I was stuck in an iron-clad three year agreement with the Peabody Gallery and I wasn’t much better off at the end of it. I’ve spent the last two years trying to re-establish my reputation. Now I’m trying to regain the trust of the west coast art world. James and Bette are helping me to do that. They are putting their reputations on the line for me. It’s important for all us. I won’t disappoint them.”

“Leigh. Thank you for being so open and honest with me. I didn’t know that all this was going on back then. Helena charmed and seduced me too. Even though I didn’t know the extent of what she was doing to Bette I played a big role in causing Bette much pain too. I can’t even explain why I did what I did but I too am grateful for Bette’s generous heart as she’s also opened it up to me and forgiven me.