Alice just nodded sadly.  As Helena turned to walk back towards her Bentley, she noticed the object lying in the back of Alice’s car.  What is that? 

            Oh, that.  Alice responded with a hint of disdain as she gestured to the life size cardboard cutout picture of Dana in her Adidas tennis gear readied for a backhand shot.  It’s not as weird as you think.  She giggled nervously, the rep from the Adidas store dropped it off at my apartment for Dana.  I guess they didn’t realize we’re not together anymore and when they went by her condo and she wasn’t there, they assumed she was over at my place.  I’ve been driving around with it, hoping to muster enough courage to drop it off at Dana’s or Lara’s  Alice’s voice trailed off.  Anyways, thanks for lunch again Helena, I really, really needed that.  She added, mustering all her energy in an attempt to convey her gratitude towards the other woman for showing such kindness.

            Helena laughed, I knew you’d have a good explanation.  It’s a shame really, would have made a good plot for a soap opera for my studio had it been something Bradshaw prescribed like building a Dana shrine and setting fire to it!  Anyhow, I’m trying out Bradshaw’s recommended Yoga therapy later this week, maybe you should join me; I need a Yoga partner for some of the more advance positions.  I’ll call you.  As she was about to enter her car, Helena looked one last time at the blonde.  The sad expression painted on her once light-hearted features just tore at Helena’s heart causing her to earnestly remark, And please Alice, if you need anything, anything at all, don’t hesitate to call me, anytime, okay?

Present Day – Morning – Alice’s Apartment

            Alice smiled at the memory of those first few painful days when she started to feel again.  First was the pain of the breakup, then, then there was the numbness.  She had numbed herself to everything to make the pain go away.  But when she started to care for her friend, that was when the pain and grief of losing Dana came back.  She closed her eyes, which had grown weary of staring at the dust dancing in the morning light.  As she began drifting off to sleep again, she felt soft velvet kisses on her shoulder and gentle caresses as the arms that held her so tightly became alive.  She turned to face the brunette and was greeted by tender kisses on her lips.

            Good morning, Alice.  How did you sleep?

            Mornin’ Helena.  Alice smiled contentedly as her lover’s hand began playing with her locks of blonde hair.

Still Present Day – Early Morning – Dana’s Condo

            Dana had lain awake for hours now.  She and Lara had returned to her condo when the last patrons of Milk, a group of whom they were included, were ushered out the door.  Dana had had a lot to drink so the red head drove her back to her condo.  In her drunken stupor, she still felt so alone and desolate, and not wanting to be she asked her girlfriend to stay the night.  But when Lara began kissing and groping her, Dana insisted she was too tired and drunk for *****. 

Could you just hold me, please?  Dana had whispered as she drifted off into a drunken, listless sleep.  It was almost day break now as the tennis player rolled over to the very edge of the bed, wanting to be alone regretting that she had asked Lara to stay the night.  She just wanted a clear head to think about everything, to think about everything she saw last night.

            It had been seven months since she gave up on Alice.  That’s exactly what it was; Dana had given up.  Somewhere in those weeks that Alice was gone, Dana lost faith in the love that they had found with one another.  Dana realized it was an uphill battle they were about to face to keep their relationship intact, and she wasn’t ready, so she opted for something safe, something smooth.  The only real obstacle she and Lara ever faced in their relationship was her shame at being ***** and the guilt of being in the closet.  Now that get out and stay out had announced to the world that Dana Fairbanks was *****, she knew a relationship with Lara was a safe and steady bet.  Not that she didn’t resist Lara’s overtures in the beginning.  After all, she did decline a second dinner invitation the night they ate at the Ethiopian restaurant.  But when Alice was away, Dana was too lonely and too weak to keep resisting Lara’s attention.