The green folder is all bank statements and my inheritance information. I suppose I’ll be adding the green folder to the blue one.”
“Are you going to be able to afford this?”
“Daddy left us well off. He had arranged everything. No probate, no fighting. Kit can buy the Planet outright now. I probably would have opened a gallery or something, but…Well, the best laid plans of mice and men…”
“And lezzies in West Hollywood.” Alice tried to make Bette laugh, but Bette only shook her head.
“I’m supposed to meet Dr. Zambrano at the hospital in an hour. Angelica’s asleep. She should wake up in about an hour. Are you going to be okay with her?”
“Bette, why do you ask me that every time I spend time alone with Angelica?”
“I lost my father. I’ve basically lost Tina…”
“Don’t say that.”
“I couldn’t go on if something happened to Angelica.” Bette quickly slipped papers into the various folders and stood up. “I have to get ready.” She walked around Alice and headed toward the bathroom.
* * * * *
A tall woman with dark hair and porcelain skin casually walked down the sterile hallway, smiling at the nurses and doctors as if she belonged there. She slowed her pace as she reached the patient’s door, glanced quickly up and down the hall, then pushed the door open, sliding in quickly.
Helena was shocked to see Tina lying so still in the bed. Her ex-lover had lost a great deal of weight and her skin was thin with blue veins so prominent that her arms looked like a road map. At a snail’s pace, Helena walked to the bed and looked down at her. The British woman who was usually so poised was aghast at the image before her. She leaned down. “Hello, Tina. Can you hear me, darling?”
She straightened. “Tina, I saw your daughter at The Planet. She’s quite lovely. I didn’t actually meet her. Bette was holding her and I have a feeling she’d use a taser gun on me before she’d let me near your child. She’s very protective. I know you don’t expect to hear this from me, but I think she is making a wonderful mother.”
Through this strange, gray thickness, Tina heard what sounded like Helena talking. She couldn’t make out what was being said, but thought that Helena sounded so nice. She really was a good person and Helena had been there when she needed a friend the most. People didn’t get Helena, but under that arrogant exterior, she was a gentle, delicate, and sweet person.
“I’m wondering if there’s anything you need.” She paused, for some reason anticipating a forthcoming answer from Tina. “I suppose I should speak with one of your doctors. I want you to receive the very best care. Despite what Winnie would have one believe, I can be quite generous with my exes.” Helena looked at the flowers in the room and said to essentially no one, “Well, I’ll keep my ears open, what about that?
