“Oh, well, I’m sure you’re excited about that then.”

“Indeed, I am.”

I was running out of small talk. A short uncomfortable silence ensued before I heard her voice again. I felt the mood shift.

“Bette?” I could hear a mild trepidation in way she spoke my name.

“Yes, Helena. I’m here,” I replied softly.

“Bette, I don’t want to upset you. But I don’t know how to proceed. Please know my intention is not to be presumptuous…”

When she paused, I encouraged her, “It’s alright, Helena. Say or ask me whatever is on your mind.”

“Remember that you granted your permission then,” she said.

I smiled into the phone, “I’ll remember.”

“Shall I assume correctly that you’re not upset about last night? I mean, you are at least speaking with me.”

“No, Helena. I’m not upset.” I clarified, “Confused? Yes. But not upset, not angry at you. Not for any reason.”

“That’s a relief. I’m glad. Now, just to warn you, I’m going to venture into some possibly more turbulent waters.”

I closed my eyes and braced myself. “Go on.”

A few silent moments passed. “Bette, how are you getting on with your break-up with Tina? Am I being too personal?”

Taking a deep breath and exhaling, I answered, “No, Helena. You’re not being too personal. I certainly have my bad days, but it’s slowly getting better. The anger is dissipating. The sadness, diminishing. It helps that I have my new job to keep me busy. And she does allow me to see Angelica at least every other weekend. It’s a process. I’m sure you’re aware of that.”

“Only too well,” Helena replied.

“And I will be so bold as to admit to you, Helena, that last night before I came to meet you and Alice at The Planet, I was having a bad time with it. I was preparing for Angelica’s visit, and absolutely dreading to see Tina this morning. That doesn’t always go well. Sometimes I allow myself to wallow in thoughts of what could have been. And sometimes I like to blame you that Tina and I didn‘t stay together. It’s easier than taking responsibility myself. But deep in my heart, I know things would have worked out like this anyway. Tina and I were over long before you ever came along. I can see that in hindsight. I have had time to do a lot of thinking in the past few months. And as Alice so conveniently reminded me last night, you had nothing to do with Tina’s resurging interest in the male population.” Realizing the intense edge the conversation had taken, I attempted to subdue it with some mild humor. “You didn’t, did you? Have anything to do with Tina going back to men?”

“I assure you I did not, Bette Porter,” she huffed, feigning indignation. “You had better be teasing me!”

I could barely control my laughter. In a few moments, she joined with me.

“Believe me, Helena, after what you did to me last night, I guarantee you, I’m teasing.”

“I do believe you’re toying with me, Bette,” she said flirtatiously.

“I do believe I am,” I admitted, as much to myself as to her.

“Bette?” she hesitated. “Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”

“Are you asking me out, Helena?”

“I’m asking you to have dinner with me. At my place. Tomorrow. After Angelica goes back with Tina. As we discussed last night in the car.” Her voice, laced with a controlled eagerness, was charming me. “And if it’s nice, we can dine on the deck. Perhaps, take a walk on the beach to talk some more. That is, if you’d like.”

“Yes, Helena, I think I would like. I accept. May I bring some wine?”

“Please, if you wish.”

Just then I heard Angelica stirring in her crib. I stood up to make my way to her room.

“I should probably go now, Helena. I hear Angelica waking up from her nap.”

“Certainly, I understand. Why don’t you call me tomorrow and we’ll arrange a time.”

“I will. Until then. Have a good evening.”

We each said good-bye and I clicked off the phone, marveling at how quickly our feelings can change.