"How did you manage that?" Helena wanted to know.

"It’s a long shot, basically Kel helped me to pull a few strings with some directors of the hotel.”

“Who’s Kel?”

“Someone I met when I was still at the CAC. I convinced the organizers of the Biennale to co-host it in her university, and now she owes me a favor. How about this, I’ll introduce her to you next time she comes to LA, all right?” Bette clarified.

"Can you inform the kids about my delay? Errr, I think I’ll scream at Winnie again if I call." Helena looked down at her feet.

Feeling relieved, she was glad that Bette was there for her at that moment, but she wasn’t really sure if Bette was able to understand how she felt. Feeling the horde of emotions rising up to her throat, she started feeling a little misty eyed again.

"No problem, leave it to me. Do you want me to pick you up at the airport? I was a former Indy 500 driver, you know? I promise to bring you to your kids in record time."

"Seriously?" Helena wanted to know.

"What a waste of my incredible talent.” Bette sighed dramatically. “If I joined, I’d probably emerge champion."

"Ha ha, you got me there." Helena said with a tiny grin.

"How’re you feeling right now?"

She took a shaking breath. "I wish I could say that I was happy, but I’m still a little depressed. "

Bette said in a determined voice. "Tell you what – why don’t you check yourself into the hotel room, and make yourself comfortable? I’m sure you’ll feel much better after a warm shower, and I call you back after I pass the information to Winnie? Don’t worry so much. I’ll take care of you. "

“Thank you, Bette.” Helena whispered hoarsely.

“It’s okay. Trust me.”

***************************************************************************************************************

"Winnie. Bette Potter. Helena is stuck in Detroit airport and she’ll be late. Could you delay Wilson and Jun Ying’s flight to the UK?"

Winnie said bitterly. "What? You’re helping that wretch now?"

Bette’s entire body tensed. "She’s not a wretch,” she said quietly. "Besides, I feel that she’s really grossly misrepresented. She’s tough on the exterior, but means well for the kids. You know that."

"Whatever, I’m not buying any of this. God. I can’t believe she ‘bought’ you over. How much did she pay you? One million?”

Bette’s mouth went dry and she felt herself backing up. Only the fact that she was sitting on her bed stopped her. She didn’t want to think about the past but the estranged ex-wife was dredging up memories of Helena and Tina that she had tried very hard to bury. She trembled as she fought to keep herself from bolting out the nearest door.

"Shut up Winnie!” Bette screamed.

“Or offer you the cushy new job?” Winnie asked sarcastically. “I don’t need to hear any of this. She couldn’t make it in time, and guess what? It’s her problem.”

“Just shut up.”

***************************************************************************************************************

“Concierge? I need a car right now.”

Bette tossed one last glare at the hotel phone before moving out of the room.

(TBC)