Chapter 2: The Bestower of Universal Friendship - continued
When Bette moved from NY to LA 18 months ago, she and Helena frequently saw each other at the gym and slowiy became friends. They painfully navigated through days, weeks and months on auto-pilot, rarely escaping the thick fog of grief that individually and collectively surrounded them. They openly spoke to each other with egos and false pretense left behind. Their defenses slowly abandoned them while in each other's company. They met briefly at first, exchanging pleasantries after class often ending in hour long conversations. Together, they repeatedly pondered the question "Why?" As their meetings became more frequent after classes and workouts, their conversations deepened, exposing heartfelt words and gut-wrenching emotions. Each comforted by the other as the earth continued spinning on it's axis as it had always done, unaffected by two beautiful hurting women on the west coast. Not knowing where else to turn, Helena & Bette forged a meaningful friendship which to this day, had not failed either of them. They found solace and unrelenting comfort in each other. Their entire relationship was unexplainable to either of them. Bette never would have imagined the spoiled little rich girl would have such a big and caring heart. Helena never would have imagined the popular, arrogant gallery owner would be so vulnerable and sensitive. Both of their hearts had been broken beyond belief and neither knew this kind of hurt existed until they encountered it.
The yoga session did help Bette relax and for that she was grateful. Her eyes started to well as she thought how Helena was so caring and protective of her. It was so ironic that a few years ago, the only word that she could use to describe Helena Peabody was 'bitch'. That word still applied but it wasn't the sum of all things relating to Hel.
"See, don't you feel better now sweetums?" Helena asked caringly. Her strong British accent leaving no syllable untouched.
"I do indeed. Thank you Hel for dragging my ass away from my pity party. Although, in case you're interested, it resumes again in a little while." Bette smiled.
"Hey, that's what I'm here for darling. Um, may I just state an observation Bette? I really don't care if you get huffy with me because I think you need to hear this."
"What is it Hel?' Bette replied annoyed.
"I've noticed that your bum is starting to spread a bit, wouldn't you say? You need to lose that while you can. If you wait too long, you won't be able to get a date" Helena stately bluntly. There was an awkward silence. "So, are you going to the gym today?" Helena asked seriously as she touched the top of Bette's unruly hair.
Bette hastily replied "Didn't you say you were going to be late for work? You better put a move on it before there is no art to be had! Miss Bum Police!"
Bette reached around and felt her rear end and admitted to herself "My ass is getting wider, but I still look good." She chuckled. Bette had gained 12 pounds within the last 4 months. It served her well though. Her svelte, muscular frame could handle it. To the average Joe, she looked fit and healthy, although she was the furthest thing from it. When Ziggy left, Bette started smoking after quitting cold turkey some years before. She ate erratically and didn't make the best choices when she did eat. It wasn't unusual for Bette to have a meal consisting of Oreos and milk (albeit soy milk). Doritos, Captain Crunch, Ho-Ho'syou name it were all part of her favorite food group. Thankfully, Helena was helping out in the nutrition department because she cooked almost everyday. Bette was so surprised to find out that Helena knew her way around the kitchen so well. She would often sit on the kitchen counter watching in amazement as her roommate conducted her own little food preparation symphony, humming as she went along . Helena was a wonderful cook and she knew it. She even taught Bette to make simple dishes in case there wasn't anything in the fridge already prepared. When Helena went out of town for work, she cooked meals before she left and froze them, so all Bette would have to do was heat them and eat. She even left instructions by the microwave with what foods went together for a particular meal and how long to heat the dishes for. Left to her own vices, Bette would eat everything randomly without any consideration of the combination of food. Once Helena returned home early from a business trip and found Bette happily eating a meal of string beans, English peas and broccoli. Helena wanted to cry. Since then she'd always taken the time to leave detailed instructions for her nutritionally challenged roommate.
After Helena left for work, Bette slowly walked to the mailbox. On her way, she picked up a few pieces of stray trash that had somehow ended up in her yard. "Oww!" she yelled while bending over. She was a little sore from her workout a couple of days ago. "Man, I've gotta get myself together" she blurted out as she craved a cigarette. Fumbling around in her shorts pocket, she was disappointed that she could only find a lighter and a dirty, almost unrecognizable quarter. She saw a few of her neighbors on their daily run down the street.
"Hey Bette! When are you going to join us?" one of the women yelled as the trio approached her house."
"I'm not!!" Bette yelled back. "Running is so hmmm, how should I say this.Not Me!"
"C'mon please? You'll enjoy it" another one said.
"I think not" Bette stated firmly. She glanced at the mail that she had just retrieved and noticed that a letter belonging to someone else was mistakenly placed in her mailbox. It belonged to one of the women who had just sprinted passed her house. The rain began falling at a slow, steady rate.
"Hey Tina!" Bette yelled loudly blinking the rain away from her eyes.
"What's up?" Tina turned around and started running backwards, keeping up with the pace her friends had set.
'You've got some mail here. Looks like a bill" Bette yelled again & ended up coughing. "Damn" she mumbled as she cleared her throat.
"Dingy mailman!" Tina replied. Could you just hang on to it for me and I'll swing back by sometime to get it. Unless of course, you'd like to pay it!" she breathlessly replied smiling as the rain continued to pour. She turned back around and continued running.
Bette nodded in agreement a couple of times. Her meager attempt to yell 'Okay' in response was unheard by Tina.
It was starting to pour now and Bette hurriedly returned to the house and hopped in the shower.
