Alice had never jumped so high upon hearing her own doorbell ring. It was like the bells of the cathedral were being tolled. Tina couldn’t stop laughing as Alice became flustered and nervous, she straightened her skirt and walked to the door. Taking a deep breath she opened it, trying to act nonchalant.

Alice: Heyyyy, how are ya?

Dana: Hiii, good, you?

Alice: Goooood, come in.

Alice smiled brightly, she thought Dana looked ***** in her casual outfit. Her mind slipped back to her thoughts of Dana in the shower. Alice purred playfully.

Alice: Mmmmmmmmmm.

Dana: Whaaat?

Alice: Hmmm? Ohh nothing, come in.

She smiled a cheesey grin as Dana stepped in. Alice slid her arm around her waist, pulling her in for a little hello kiss. Dana pulled back after the initial contact.

Dana: Alice! We shouldn’t…

Alice: It’s okay, Tina knows… I told her.

Dana: You did what?

Alice: Chill… it’s okay.

Tina walked around the corner and saw them, causing Dana to step away from Alice nervously. This was going to take some getting used to.

Tina: Heyyy Dana, great to see you.

Dana: Hi Tina… I’m so sorry to hear about..

Dana hugged Tina tight, Alice looking on and smiling.

Tina: Thanks Dana, I’m okay, we’ll get through it.

They all went into the kitchen and sat around chatting about things. Dana purposely kept her distance from Alice, still dealing with the whole comfort thang, in front of a friend, WITH a friend. It was almost 6pm and Alice invited Dana to stay for dinner, she was going to get some takeout to bring back. Dana accepted of course, and excused herself to go to the bathroom. While in there, Alice recruited Tina for a fact finding mission.

Alice: Can you do me a favour Tina.

Tina: Well that depends on if you want me to grill Dana for information about her feelings or not.

Alice: Okay… see… that whole mind reading thing… you should use that power for good, instead of evil.

Tina: In other words, use it on Dana?

Alice raised her eyebrows and chewed on her drinking straw as she tried to act the innocent. She yelled out to Dana that she’d be back soon, gave Tina a kiss on her forehead and told her not to make it TOO obvious. Tina nodded and motioned for Alice to go already. Dana came back and sat on the couch with Tina. There was an awkward silence, as if Dana knew what was coming since they were alone. Tina began tentatively.

Tina: So Dana, Alice mentioned that you and her had an interesting conversation last night.

When she said the word conversation she signalled quotation marks with her fingers, by way of highlighting the “conversation” was a little more than just words. Dana blushed and giggled nervously.

Dana: Ohhh… yeah we ummm…

Dana swallowed hard as she tried to form the right words.

Tina: It’s okay Dana, certainly nothing to be ashamed of, you know me.

Dana: I know… I know its just that I’m so used to telling Alice about this kinda thing and she always comes back with some catty remark. This is soooo confusing, not like anything I’ve had to face before.

Tina gave Dana a comforting rub on her arm as she opened up her thoughts to Tina.

Tina: Anything new is confusing, no matter what the history is behind the two people involved. But personally… I think it’s wonderful. You know deep down that as a friend Alice loves you right?

Dana: … Yeeeaah?

Tina: So there you have it. If this thing you are starting with her is grounded in love, then in a lot of ways, its going to be a lot easier. There’s no nervous getting-to-know-you phase, no wondering if she likes you, you should already know that part.

Dana: Yeah I know, but I’m finding it far from easy. There’s still a lot I don’t know about her… particularly her romantic side…

Tina: But that’s the fun part that will be interesting to find out, ya know? Otherwise there’d be no challenge, and well, you might as well just get married right now.

They both giggled, then Tina realised what she said and became quiet. Dana noticed the change in mood and gave her friend a hug.

Dana: I’m sorry, maybe we shouldn’t talk about this kinda thing, considering…

Tina: It’s okay Dana, we’re working through things slowly, strong foundations keep the shakiest buildings standing.

Dana smiled and felt comforted by Tina’s outlook. Anything can work out if you do it right, and she really wanted to do things right with Alice.

Dana: Maybe I should talk to Alice more before I start dismissing this in my mind before its even begun.

Tina nodded in agreement and patted Dana’s hand.

Tina: There you go girl, now you’re using your head. Everything is scary if you over-think it, just let nature take its course, go with the flow, let it happen. Talk to her… start the communication early, you’ll both benefit it in the long run.

Dana: You’re right Tina, thanks.

They hugged again. Dana had a thoughtful expression on her face and Tina noticed, smiling, she knew what Dana was thinking. That damn mind reading again, for good Tina, not evil, remember. She reminded herself of Alice’s words.

Tina: You’re wondering what she’s thinking now aren’t you. You wanna know what I know hehe.

Dana blushed and laughed, trying to deny it.

Dana: Noooo, no no… well maybe… what… you mean she’s told you things about me?

Tina: Hun don’t be so shocked, she normally tells you, but ummmm yeah she can’t, so she had to tell someone.

Dana: So spill it, what did she say? Is it good, bad, what… tell me.

Right on cue, Alice returned with the food. Tina and Dana both stared at her as she walked in.

Alice: Whaaaaat?

They both giggled and reassured Alice that it was nothing, setting up the table for dinner. After they’d finished eating the small talk began and soon became a counselling session for Dana and Alice as Tina tried to help them make sense of their new beginning.

Tina: You know I love you both right, and I wouldn’t be any kind of friend if I didn’t try and help you both with your new adventure.

Dana and Alice both looked at each other nervously and spoke at the same time.

Dana: Tina I…

Alice: Tina I…

Tina: Listen, I’m not going to be a go-between for you, especially when from what you both tell me, you’re pretty much on the same wavelength. I think the best thing you can do is talk to each other. I understand that for relationship things, you used to confide in each other, and now that’s kinda hard to do since well, you know.

They both nodded in agreeance, exchanging nervous glances.

Tina: But I will say this. You two were going to go out to dinner, like a date?

Alice: Yeah, I mean we gotta start somewhere, and I wanna take this seriously.

Dana grinned and felt her heart beating faster as she looked at Alice and heard her words. This was the reassurance she was looking for.

Tina: I understand that, what I’m suggesting is this. Dates are for people to get to know each other. You two are so familiar… why don’t you just cut to the chase and be together?

Dana: Oh my God… Tina do you mean…

Alice laughed, struggling to hold back one of her usual smart-assed comments.

Tina: Noooo Dana, I don’t just mean to hop in the sack and go for it. I mean that you should not be so formal, maybe not call it “dating”. Just go out and talk, like you’d normally do with a friend, which you two are, and hopefully will always be.

Alice: Ummm isn’t that what we’re going to do?

Tina: Noooo… you two were going to go on a date and talk pleasantries, then come back and ask me what the other said about them.

Alice and Dana both blushed and noticed the other blushing. Tina got up and started clearing the dishes. She kept talking as she cleaned.

Tina: I think you both should talk, tonight, get all your feelings out now, good, bad, whatever. Because believe me, it’s more time consuming going through a third person, and well, that will cut in on all the fun you could be having.

Tina wiggled her eyebrows and smiled. Alice and Dana both laughed at the realisation. Neither had thrown much thought to the whole ***** thing. God if they were that awkward about the talking, and the kissing, then the *****… oh Lord. Alice shook herself from her thoughts.

Alice: You’re right Tina. We should do this, we’re adults…

They hugged, Dana joined in and they were giggling in a group hug. Then silence… they stood still in the hug, Tina pulled her head back and looked at Dana.

Dana: Al… is that your hand on my *****?

Alice grinned and gave a squeeze making Dana jump out of the hug, the group bursting into giggles.

Tina: On that note, I’ll make myself scarce, I’m gonna go out for a while, say hi to someone…

Alice: Bette?

Tina didn’t answer, only smiling. Alice went to speak.

Tina: I’ll be okay, I’ll call if I need you.

Alice: Okay Tina, your powers are scary… just do me a favor and don’t use them on me and Dana in about an hour okay?

Alice smiled mischieviously at Tina, getting slapped on the arm by Dana.

Alice: Owwww geez, you’re gonna pay for that.

Dana: Oh really, like how?

Alice: Well maybe I’ll just have to tie you up… at least you won’t be able to run away all embarassed.

Dana: Alice!

Tina headed for the door unnoticed with a smile on her face, having used her powers for good.


~ to be continued ~