After a magnificent dinner at The Ma’alaea Waterfront restaurant, Bette and Helena sat by the shore watching the stars come out, and feeling the calm waters of harbor. It was the last night of their vacation. The ladies enjoyed the wonderful sea breeze as they watched a beautiful flotilla of boats coming out from the bay.

“Helena, I realized that I’ve never really thanked you for your help on the custody case. I don’t want you to regard me as an ungrateful cunt.” Bette piped, mentally kicking herself for her use of words.

“To tell the truth, for the first time in my entire life, I don’t know what how I can express my gratitude.” She added quickly, hoping that Helena would not notice her last sentence.

“Bette, I think you’ve to get rid of the habit of using that colorful language of yours.” Helena joked. “I’m not sure if it’s good for Angelica’s language development.”

“Well, according to the Vagina Monologues, the word has this great guttural sound that lets you get right into it.” Bette stated confidently, making the subject sound more important than it really is. “Besides, I’m not ashamed of referencing a part of the human anatomy we have to use daily for organic waste.”

“I must give it to you for that quick-witted reply. Do you always rattle obscure statements offhand?” She chuckled, locking her eyes with her companion’s orbs.

“It depends on the subject matter really, though I think it’s inevitable due to my better-than-average intelligence.” Bette answered pompously. Softening her voice, she continued, “I’m sorry if I come across as brash and abrasive when I called you a cunt.”

Helena replied, stroking her friend’s forearm unconsciously, “It doesn’t matter, you were going through a period of immense stress then, and I know I was a great contributing factor to it. I hope you can forgive me.”

“I understand. I must admit I was very intimidating then. The whole fear of losing Tina drove me to a rage that I myself could not comprehend.” she sighed, enjoying the comforting touch.

Helena said quietly, “I’m so glad that we’re friends now.”

“Helena, there is something I must ask you. I actually met up with Leo and James before we left for Hawaii, in a fund-raising gala the LA College of the Arts hosted. Why didn’t you tell me that you defended me in the CAC board meeting when Franklin wanted to fire me?” Bette queried.