***** on the Beach
Ch. 2

Its late Saturday morning, the Planet is mildly busy. Bette, Tina, Alice and Shane are sitting at a large round table sipping drinks and snacking on fruit and muffins.

I cant believe we havent heard from Dana yet. Alice sets her cup of tea on the table in frustration.

Slouched deep into her chair Shane smirks, Al, its only eleven, relax. She probably had a late night with Lara. She takes another bite of her muffin and shakes her head.

Alice snorts at Shane, then looks at the group for support, Fine, but oh my God, you guys, that had to be totally embarrassing. Dont you think? I mean *****, getting caught doing something like that in a public place? How would you feel?

Shane unaffected by Alices comment plucks off another bite size piece of the muffin shes been digging at for the last 20 minutes, pops it in her mouth and looks across the table at the other two for help. Tina and Bette share an intimate glance but quickly look away. Tina has an uneasy grin on her face and Bette nervously reaches for her cup.

Shane squints at the pair, Hold on, whats that look you two? Shane points across the table at Bette and Tina.

Tina sputters, Whawhat look?

Oh, theres definitely something up. Tina, you had a look. Shane stares at Bette directly, I saw it. Either you know something about last night or you two have a story to tell. Give it up.

Alice leans toward Bette, staring at her intently, Alice places her hand around her tea cup on the table, Yea, spill it.

Bette, trying hard not to give in looks to Tina; her eyes pleading for her not to share their story. Bettes never been one to share details like this, especially with Alice, who will certainly save it for future ammunition.

Oh my God, you guys. Tina glances at Bette and blushes, Theres no story, right?

Alice grabs hold of Tinas arm nearly spilling her tea, Youre blushing!

Shane still sitting back watching sets her drink on the table, Guys weve been friends for a while, so do you really think you can get away with this? We know youre holding back, so spit it out.

Or, Alice interjects, You can leave it to my imagination. Which would you prefer?

Tina reaches out to Bette, drawing her close. Wrapping her arm around Bettes shoulder she whispers, Should we? The couple share a shy look, Bette glances over at Alice and then back to Tina, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, she nods her head in approval, We dont want Alice making something up now do we? Bette shoots Alice a sideways glance.

Alice and Shane both lean forward now, elbows on the table.

Okay, Bette starts, Its really not that funny, but here you go. Bette peeks over at Tina who is smiling shyly, but yet watching Bette intently. We were together for just a few months. The relationship was very new but we werent seeing a lot of each other due to Tinas travel schedule.

Oh my God, Alice interrupts, Is this the phone ***** story?

Bette shoots a shocked look at Tina. No its not Alice! Tina snaps glaring at her. Tina sheepishly looks back at Bette, shrugs her shoulders and smiles lovingly.

Bette slowly returns her attention to Shane who is sipping her drink and chuckling at the antics.

Anyway, like I was saying, Bette continues, We decided on a long weekend in Denver. Tina was already there on business, so she upgraded her room to a suite, I flew in on a Friday afternoon and stayed a few more days. The resort was beautiful, and it had tons of amenities, like saunas, pools, spas, messages, you know everything.

Oh you guys, Tina interjects, this place was fabulous. The suite was gorgeous and romantic. Bette, do you remember? Moving her attention to Alice and Shane, the suite had a separate bedroom with a fireplace and this amazing bed! It felt as though you melted into it. Oh, and the pools were beautiful. We swam in a different pool every day. Tina reaches under the table placing her hand on Bettes thigh, giving her lover a gentle squeeze.

It was beautiful Bette took hold of Tinas hand under the table and squeezed it lovingly.

Yada yada, get to the point. Alice complains, pushing them along, Whats the embarrassing part? There is a point here right? Okay, did someone lose their swim suit in the spa?

Jeez Al, let them tell the story. Shane shoots a sharp glare at Alice, and then nods to Bette to continue.

No, no swim suit incidents Alice, though I recall you know something about that. Bette smiles knowingly and winks at Alice. Tina and Shane shift their attention.

Ooh Shane, Tina laughs, That sounds intriguing. Shane nods in agreement.

Alice flashes Tina her signature very funny but shut the ***** up look.

So anyway, Bette carries on, our last full day, we walked to a pool at the farthest end of the resort. It was a beautiful day. We were at the pool all day swimming, sun bathing and drinking margaritas until late afternoon. Before walking back to the room on the other side of the resort we decided to rinse off in the showers. Bette glances at Tina, who smiles back coyly. There wasnt anyone in the shower area so we both jumped into the last stall.

To rinse off. Alice interjects sarcastically.

You know, Shane pipes in, My dad always called it mowing the lawn, as a kid I could never figure out why he always talked about wanting to mow the lawn on his birthday.

Alice stares at Shane in complete disbelief.

Bette winks at Alice, Well, rinsing off was the intention.

Tina snorts a little and her face flushes bright pink, Sort of, she glances at Bette, Things got a little heated and apparently a little loud. Bette flashes a look in Tinas direction and steps in, So lets just say we were very focused on rinsing off, when, all of a sudden, SWOOSH the door of the stall swings open and theres a security guard standing there holding a flashlight and staring at us, with a small crowd of other guests standing behind him!

Shane collapses against Alice and they both burst into laughter.

Tina leans into Bette, who kisses her on her temple, Oh God, do you remember the look on that poor old ladys face? Tina turns her attention back to Alice and Shane, I thought she was going to have a heart attack right there.

What old lady? Tinas head snaps in the direction of the voice. Dana is moving toward the table looking a bit puzzled.

Shane and Alice are still hanging on each other laughing uncontrollably. Shane uses the back of her hand to wipe away the tears running down her face. She waves to Dana, but cant catch her breath enough to say anything.

Hey, Tina jumps up, you made it. She gives Dana a warm hug. When did you

Oh my God, Dana, Alice interrupts and takes a long calming breath, Im glad youre here. Alice grabs Dana by the hand yanking her down into the open chair next to her.

Dane, Alice slaps her on her knee. Bette and Tina were just telling us a story about when they got caught doing it in a public shower stall at a resort in Denver.

Danas expression shifts from confusion to complete dread, Oh God, here it comes.

Alice notices the look on her pals face, NO! No, dont worry, you dont have to share, we already know your story.

Dana shoots a sharp glare at Alice.

Jesus, Alice. Bette scolds.

What, are we just suppose to ignore what we saw? Alice snaps back, throwing her hands into the air.

Alice! Bette scolds again. Then, looks at Dana sympathetically, What happened last night happened. Were your friends and we love you. We support you and your relationship with Lara. Tina nods in agreement and rubs her hand up and down Danas arm in an attempt to comfort her friend. Bette continues, Dont worry about it. Besides, Im sure weve all done some embarrassing things, right Alice? Bette flashes another warning look at Alice who sips her drink and shrugs her shoulders innocently.

Okay, Tina interrupts, still looking at Dana, Ill bring you up to speed. Years ago, we were in a shower stall in the ladies room rinsing off after a long day by the pool, Danas eyebrows rise as she listens to the story, we got a little carried away and a little too loud. Someone must have reported noises coming from the stall so the security guard opened the door on us. We were completely naked and in a very compromising position. Well, Bette was in a compromising position. Tina winks at Bette, who is smiling nervously. Anyway, this little old lady, who looks a lot like my grandmother, was standing right behind the guard. When she saw us her mouth dropped open and she grabbed her chest. I swear she almost passed out!

Danas mouth dropped open, Oh my God, what did you do?

Dane, Bette leans forward, What could we do? We grabbed our stuff, wrapped ourselves in towels and ran back to our room.

Shane looks at Tina, You ran through the entire resort wearing only towels? Shane and Alice exchange looks and burst out laughing again.

Yea, but we laughed our asses off all the way back. Tina adds, nudging Bette lovingly.

After a few calming breaths, See Dane, Alice chimes in, Theres no reason to be embarrassed about your PDA.

PDA? Dana looks at the group.

Public Display of Affection. Alice gladly announces.

Damn, Alice, Shane leans into her. You know what; I think you need to tell us about the bathing suit incident. Everyone looks toward Alice, whose expression clearly shows shes none too interested in telling this story.
Shane looks at her, Well, maybe Bette wants to share, since she obviously knows about it.

Alices body sinks back into her chair; her arms folded tight across her chest Fine, whatever. Okay, Bette and I were dating, so this is years ago okay and by the way hardly

Jesus, this is going to take forever. Let me tell the story. Bette interrupts Alice and leans forward looking right at Shane. We were dating. We decided to take a drive along the coast in Malibu. It was a gorgeous summer day – very warm. Alice had an old convertible; I think it was called a Thing

Dana cuts Bette off with a gasp, looking incredulously at Alice You drove a Thing?!

Alice annoyed at Danas reaction, Uh, yea, lets see, young and broke. Besides it was my brothers first.

Anyway, Bette continues, we headed out for a drive; Alice was wearing a bikini top and shorts. Were driving along the beach and this truck full of young guys pulls up next to us at a light and they start hitting on us. I was driving, so…

Tina and Alice exchange a knowing look and Tina laughs.

Okay, so Im always driving. Anyway, Alice suggested that we kiss in front of them at the next light and drive them crazy. Which we did, and they absolutely went nuts.

*****, Alice thumps Danas arm, You should have seen them those guys were ***** hot.

Whatever. Bette continues, Alice is all hot and bothered by this and at the next light she kisses me again, but this time rips off her bathing suit top and flashes the guys. Just before the light changes one of them jumps out of the back of the truck and snatches the top, which Alice was proudly waving above her head, and they took off. I tried to follow them, but couldnt keep up. Bette peeks over at Alice, their eyes meet and Bette bursts into laughter, You tell the rest.

Stunned, Tina looks at Dana and Shane, Theres more?!

Fine, okay, I didnt have a T-shirt with me, and the only thing we could find in the trunk was a baby blue ski jumper, Alices voice trails off a bit, which I had to put on when the cop pulled us over.

The table erupts in hysterical laughter.

Bette attempts to pull herself together, Ah ha, you should have seen her. Bette stops and takes a deep breath, We had to drive all the way back to her place in something like 90 degree weather with Alice wearing a really ugly ski jumper!

Dana, trying to catch her breath slaps Alice on the arm, Was the ski jumper originally your brothers too?