I wanted everything to be perfect this evening. Knowing that Bette would be arriving within the next hour or so, I dressed and made sure the CD changer was loaded with appropriate music. Nothing raucous. Everything soft. And perhaps just a little romantic in nature.

As I finished my preparation of the fruit and cheese plate, I heard my cell phone ring on the deck by the pool. I hurried out to answer it, and my heart leapt when I glanced at the Caller ID and recognized Bette’s number. ‘Please don’t tell me you’ve had second thoughts, and you’re calling to cancel on me,’ was the dread that ran through my mind.

“Hello, Bette,” I answered apprehensively, not even waiting for her to identify herself.

“Helena, hi. I was just calling to tell you I’m running a little late, but I’m on my way. I’m just leaving Tina’s. That is, if you‘d still like me to come?” Bette asked, her voice sounding strained.

“Of course, I want you to come, Bette. Is everything alright? You sound a bit agitated,” I answered.

“Everything is fine.” She hesitated. But I knew well enough that all was not harmonious. Bette continued, “No, let me be honest. Everything is not fine. And I’m not sure I’ll be the most pleasant dinner companion this evening.”

“Bette, just a few hours ago you sounded as if you were looking forward to coming out to the beach house. What’s happened to upset you?” I asked.

“You mean besides having to say good-bye to Angelica?” she replied in the most forlorn of voices. I could tell she was fighting to hold back tears.

“Oh, Bette, I’m so sorry. I should have anticipated that returning your Angelica would present a difficulty for you this afternoon,” I apologized, my heart feeling the weight of her pain.

“It’s not just that, Helena.” Bette paused. There was an awkward silence. “It’s Tina too,” she snapped.

This announcement presented a decided discomfort. It was obvious now that Bette was angry as well as despondent. I was uncertain as to how, or even if, to respond. I didn’t have to.

“FUCK!” she shouted.

I treaded carefully, “Do you want to tell me what has put you in this state, Bette?”

That was all the invitation she needed.

“When I dropped Angelica off, Tina informed me that I can’t have my next planned visit with her in two weeks. She’s going out-of-town to meet Henry’s parents, and she’s taking Angelica with them. God, she can be such a bitch! She just does this kind of shit to spite me. To see if she can get a fucking rise out of me,” Bette railed.

“You didn’t give her the satisfaction, did you?” I inquired.

“No!” she answered.

“Good for you!” I complimented her.

“I’m purging now,” she said with a hint of apology.

“It’s all right, Bette. And you certainly don’t need to be alone tonight. Let’s continue our evening as planned and we can talk about this when you get here,” I said, adding, “But only if you want to. Are you on your way? Oh, I just happened to think, do you need directions?”

“Yes, I’m on my way. And actually, no, I don’t need directions. I’ve been to your house before.”

“Oh?” I said curiously.

“Yes, there was a public tour offered, that coincided with the spread in Architectural Digest, which I attended a few years ago. So I’m quite familiar with the house, as well as the location,” Bette explained.

“Alright, then. You’re on your way?” I wanted to confirm.

“Yes, I should be there very soon,” she replied resolutely.

“Good,” I smiled. “And don’t be concerned that you’ll be less than stellar company. I look forward to seeing you.”

“See you shortly,” she said, and clicked off the phone.

Considering this latest heart-wrenching development, I had no idea how the night would proceed. But I must admit to you, the anticipation was growing increasingly difficult to endure.

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

When I arrived at Helena’s, I exited the car and retrieved the two bottles of wine from the passenger seat. I carried them, one in each hand, in the wooden gift boxes that I’d decided would be a nice touch. I’d managed to calm myself down, concerning Tina and Angelica, on the drive to Helena’s, but now I was nervous about our ‘meeting.’ Reaching the door, I set down one wine box and rang the bell. Helena answered smiling broadly.

“Hi,” she greeted me and observed, “You made it with little delay.”

“Hi, yes, traffic wasn’t too bad this evening,” I smiled and said a little uneasily.

She took my free hand and pulled gently. I walked over the threshold. Seeing the wine case that I’d placed on the porch, she reached down with the other hand to pick it up. “Let me help you with that,” Helena offered. “These cases are beautiful. Hand-carved.”

Standing just inside the doorway, she let go of my hand and pushed the door shut. Then she turned and quickly brushed my cheek with her lips, as she’d done the other night, and said, “I’m glad you made it.”

Smiling, I simply said, “Thank you.” I breathed in her perfume as I noticed soft music playing in the background.

Looking in my eyes, she asked considerately, “Are you all right? Have you had time to settle yourself a little during the drive here?”

“Yes, somewhat. But I could do with a prompt uncorking of a wine bottle.”

Helena laughed, while caressing my arm understandingly. “Of course, you could,” she replied. “Let’s go into the kitchen.