IS THIS LOVE
CHAPTER 93
Tina was worried about the evening . For weeks she and Bette had been lobbying for Rosemary and Melvin to see for themselves what Helena and Emma were like as a couple. She wasn’t that sure it was a good idea coming so soon after the whole mess of Emma doing the dirty on Bette over the painting. Bette hadn’t said much about it but she was probably still brooding about being done over by her partner’s mother. They were meeting at a restaurant in town – it wasn’t too posh which had been Tina’s idea. Something over the top in terms of luxury would probably not send out the right signals. Bette had said that Tina was worrying too much – but that had been before the whole business of the painting. Tina had arranged to meet Bette at the restaurant as the gallery owner was in meetings with clients most of the day. Tina arrived at the same time as her mother – they were both waiting for the maitre de to show them to their table
“Hello Tina “
“Evening mother – how are you ?”
“Extremely happy thank you – are you okay ?”
“Fine “
Tina was still cross with her mother but had told herself that she was not going to bring up her reasons – she would be talking to her separately when her own annoyance had settled.
“How is Bette ?” Emma asked politely
“She is fantastic – we are very happy “
“Good – the two of you really seem very well suited “
“We are “
There was a silence for several minutes – Tina was checking her phone.
“Tina “
The blonde looked up
“Yes “
“I had no idea that Bette wanted that painting “
“Obviously “ Tina replied abandoning her restraint “Its insulting that you shouldn’t ask Bette to find you what you want – she is an excellent art dealer as well as her gallery work. I would expect you to show her some support by using her. Rosemary and Melvin have been so supportive and loving towards me. They have been amazing – they treat me like I am their daughter. Why the heck can you not be supportive and show Bette the love she deserves”
“I have been – Tina it was an unfortunate set of coincidences “
“Have you told Helena ?”
“NO – no and I would be grateful if you kept quiet – its part of her birthday present “
“I am not going to say anything but Bette has told Peggy “
“I am not scared of Peggy Peabody “
“Peggy is hoping mad with Helena – I have to listen to her chewing Helena out and I know what the real reason for how crazy Peggy is getting with Helena – but Helena has no idea.”
Emma frowned “I know I promised Helena that I would not speak to Peggy but this is absurd – I am not going to let H take the blame for what is something that has nothing to do with anyone “
“You really cannot see the trouble you have caused “
“It was a coincidence “
Tina shook her head “You could have asked Bette or me – the damn yacht was called “The Peggy Helena “ – its was naïve of you to think that there wasn’t a connection to the Peabody’s “
“I didn’t think “
“You always think mother – you usually over think in fact “
“Well I didn’t this time and what is done is done. I am not going to give the painting to Peggy – it is for my lover who has totally transformed my life – do not even think about asking me to stand aside “
“I have no intention of asking you to stand aside mother – I am just warning you that Peggy is building up a head of steam and the victim is Helena. Bette and I went to dinner with Peggy last night “
“Cosy “ Emma said sarcastically
“We bumped into her when we were leaving the office for the night. She took us for dinner and told me very openly that she wants me to join her company full time”
“That is excellent – so it’s a celebration “
“No mom – nothing has been announced yet – I don’t want to say anything until Peggy has finalised this re-organisation of hers – Peggy was sounding me out as to whether I would quit the bookshop and work for her full time “
“Please tell me you said yes Tina – this chance will not be repeated “
“I have no intention of refusing the offer of a full time job. I know that Bette and I are permanent and I want to be able to treat her to lots of nice things. She’s always paying for me when we go places and it would be great if I could treat her
“Hello there “
Melvin and Rosemary walked into the restaurant.
“Hey “
They greeted Tina with hugs and Rosemary hugged Emma
“You are looking fantastic Emma “ Rosemary said
“Being in love is good for me “ Emma said “Its wonderful “
“Well it looks it – doesn’t she look marvellous Melvin ?”
“Emma has always looked marvellous “
Emma smiled “Thank you Melvin you old smoothie”
“Well it’s the truth – we lawyers have to stick together – you look lovely – are your two girls not here yet ?”
“On their way I hope “ Tina said – she really didn’t want to sit through this dinner without Bette by her side. The four of them were shown through to restaurant and where just sitting down when Helena arrived. She looked like she had been chewed up badly – Tina didn’t think she would need two of the guesses if she was given three guesses as to who had inflicted the punishment on her.
“Hello Rosemary – you look lovely “
Helena hugged Rosemary and Melvin. Tina was reminded of how close Bette and Helena were with one another’s families. She hoped that would not change by all the fall out from the damn painting business. Helena finished hugging Melvin and she looked over at Emma. Rosemary was watching her closely and noted the way that Emma reacted to seeing Helena – it was like a love struck teenager.
“Hey sexy “ Emma said greeting Helena
“Hey hot-lips “ Helena replied. Emma took Helena by the hands and they kissed. Tina thought the kiss was staged – it was like they had agreed that morning that they would greet one another with a hot kiss for the benefit of Rosemary and Melvin. Tina looked at her watch – she was willing Bette to arrive.
“No Bette ?” Helena asked to Tina
“She has been in meetings – I am sure that she is on her way. “
“Would we all like a drink while we wait for Bette ?” Helena asked politely
“Yes “ Tina said
“Fine by me “ Melvin said
Helena went through the process of calling the waiter over and asking for the drinks menu. Tina was tempted to have something as alcoholic as possible to numb the pain of what she feared would be a difficult meal.
“How is work Melvin – I spotted you going into court last Monday – not like you to be getting your hands dirty “
“I have been keeping my hand in – I do enjoy it – work is fine. We keep prosecuting bad people and you keep getting them off “
“Bad people pay better “ Emma said “And I have been known to get people off who are innocent “
“Its amazing that the richer you are – the more innocent you are “ Melvin said with a harshness in his voice that rather took Tina by surprise. The last thing this dinner needed was her mother and Bette’s dad getting into some philosophical debate about the legal system. Tina looked at Helena who didn’t look that happy. What to ask her about ? work was a no go area. Helena was probably well aware that there had been an audience for both times she had been chewed out the day before.
“How are things at the library Rosemary ?”
“Its as challenging and rewarding as always. I spent the whole day researching a theme. Every month we like to change the displays and highlight subjects that people might not have thought about reading”
“What is the latest theme ?” Tina asked – Rosemary could talk for hours about books and her passion for the library so this was safe ground
“Oil paintings – we are featuring artists – such interesting lives so many of them have lead “
Tina looked at her mother who was not doing well stifling a laugh. Well okay – that was funny in its own way. Luckily Bette’s arrival stopped Rosemary inadvertently making both Emma and Tina laugh.
“I am so sorry that I am late – the traffic is horrendous – think there has been an accident – hello everyone “
Bette greeted everyone with a hug – even Emma which made Tina feel slightly more hopeful for the evening ahead. Bette took hold of Tina and they smiled at one another
“Hello babe “
“Hello you “
Bette hugged Tina and kissed her gently on the lips
“You look really pretty tonight Ti “
“You don’t look too bad yourself Porter “
Bette sat down and Helena handed her the drinks menu
“We are all going to have a drink first – name your poison Porter “
“Scotch on the rocks “
They placed their drinks orders which arrived quickly and the discussion switched to the menu.
“How is the gallery Bette ? “ Melvin asked
“Its going really well “
“And what about your trip down to Florida – that sounded very exciting”
Tina closed her eyes – it was clearly going to be one of those nights when every comment could be taken in the wrong way. She hoped that Bette really was going to be diplomatic about what had happened – even if she wouldn’t blame her if she wasn’t
“I didn’t get the piece “ Bette said smiling at her mother “ There are some sharks around and I got eaten. It happens but I will make sure that I do not let it happen again. I will be very wary in my dealings with some people in the future – some people like to get their own way and they do not much care who they stand on to get that “
Bette managed to make the “ threat “ with a smile on her face as if it didn’t matter in the slightest to her. Tina rested her hand on Bette’s thigh and their eyes met for a couple of seconds. Tina raised her eyebrow the tiniest amount – Bette grinned and kissed her on the lips.
“I will behave “ she whispered so only Tina heard her.
“What about you two girls – what’s it like working together ?” Rosemary asked Helena and Tina
“I am having a great time – Helena has been really great helping me to find my feet and introducing me to lots of people “
“Its great having Tina around “ Helena smiled “There are too many straight people around – good to have another one of the sisterhood around “
“I have been called many things but never straight “ Tina smiled
“That’s my girl “ Emma said smiling
“How’s Peggy ?” Melvin asked “ Has she relented any in her disapproval about your relationship ?”
“No “ Helena said “ But I am nearly 30 and I intend to live my life my own way and that means I date who I want. My mother might like to think that she is totally in control of everything but she is not going to stop Emma and I being together “
“I know it must be frustrating for both of you but she is doing what she thinks is for the best “ Rosemary was as ever her diplomatic self
“How is it good for me that she so belittles me and my relationship. Emma and I are in love and no one is going to tell us that we cannot be together “
“You always want what is best for your children “ Melvin remarked
“And I am not ?” Emma challenged
“This has nothing to do with personalities Emma and you know that . I am not sure how I would feel if Bette started dating someone much older than her”
“But why Melvin – I am sorry if I sound bitter but we are getting it in the neck a lot and I just do not understand why people can be so judgemental about two people falling in love “
“You are getting it in the neck as you say from ONE person “ Bette put in “As I have said before I have a different relationship with my mother than Tina does with hers – and you and Peggy are different to them. Peggy is so adorable in so many ways – she is insanely generous and sweet but she is demanding.”
“We would just like a chance to show people that what we have is really good”
Emma explained
“So why are you not more out than this – its been over six weeks for the pair of you and this is the first time you have been out with anyone other than Bette and I”
“And how many weeks did you and Bette keep your relationship secret ?” Emma retorted.
Tina frowned “I don’t think Bette and I are relevant in this discussion. If the two of you are happy and I know that you both are – well why do you care what Bette and I or Rosemary and Melvin think. The two of you are very strong, very successful women. I really love that everyone approves of Bette and I as a couple but to be honest – if everyone of you around this table thought we were a terrible couple I would not lose any sleep over it because I love Bette and I know that what the two of us have is really special and I hope permanent “
“I would like my mother to accept who I am with – you were miserable when you thought Emma didn’t approve of the two of you “
“I think that this is about the two of you – not Bette and Tina “ Rosemary said
“Darlings – you two look very happy – enjoy it “
“We are happy “
“Are you planning to take Helena to any business events ?” Melvin asked
“it’s the Lawyers Benevolent Fund dinner in two weeks – big event “
“I hadn’t thought about that but yes – well it’s a possibility “
“Look – let me ask you this – do you two think that your relationship is wrong ?”
Tina said
“Of course not”
“No “
Tina held up her hands “Okay – so who cares. When the two of you started out you came to me Helena and you were incredibly up front about your relationship and I really admired you for that. I told you that as long as you treated my mother with kindness and respect then I didn’t have a problem with it. I think the two of you are in danger of getting really defensive about what is happening between the two of you and that defensiveness is going to hack people off. I love seeing my mom happy and so alive and not obsessing so much about her job. I can see how its benefitting you as well Helena. Yes its unusual for a woman of mom’s age to be kissing and cuddling a woman of Helena’s age but you are not breaking any laws. You care for one another and at the end of the day having someone to love and care for you is what matters. There are too many lonely people in the world and its great that you two found one another. You two don’t have to stage manage kissing or anything – have some faith in your relationship. Bette and I know that you two are teenagers in love – chill the pair of you “
Bette grinned – Tina had nailed the whole argument then and there. Would Helena and Emma see that ?
Helena reacted first – she grinned sheepishly “Okay – you have a point – we are jumpy about things but my mother is chewing my ear the whole time “
“Peggy will accept the two of you if you give her enough time “ Melvin said “Its not the same thing but when I first found out that my only child who I idolised then and I still do was gay it took me a while to get my head around it”
“Did you ?” Bette grinned “You must be a good actor because you seemed fine to me “
“I am not naïve but I did worry about you suffering from too much otherness”
“I rather like being different “ Bette said “and its never been an issue with me because its just who I am . its not shocking to know that I totally agree with Tina. Peggy will either come round and accept the two of you or she wont. If she does – great – one big happy family “
“And if she doesn’t ?”
“She keeps hurting her only child who it might shock you to know Helena that she worships. She doesn’t show it that well but she loves you very much and your happiness means the world to her. Its still early days – its only been six weeks”
“Seven “ Helena said
“Seven “ Bette pulled a face at her friend “ It took her longer than that to accept that you liked girls more than boys – remember ?”
Helena smiled “Yes – okay – I know that the four of you are right but “ she looked at Emma and gave her a look that was definitely not staged – Tina could see the love between the two women. That was how Bette looked at her – with devotion and longing. Tina glanced at Rosemary – yes – she had seen that look and could read it
“But – I am really happy with Emma and I think that we do have something special. My best friend will be able to testify that I have had more women that her and she had a lot. None of them have stimulated me in ways that Emma does – she really challenges me and its made me see how bored with life I have become. I am thinking of really and truly standing on my own two feet and quitting the Peabody corporation”