*****  

            Alice walked down the path of the country club, heading to the tennis court.  She’d been here plenty of times, but not in this capacity.  She was here to fight for Dana, damn it she was in love with her, no matter what Dana said, she knew it was more than just having wanted her away from the cat killing psycho.

            She heard the ‘tock, tock’ of the balls hitting a tennis racket and Alice smiled.  Hit that ball Dana baby.  She rounded the corner and saw Dana standing at the end of the bench, talking to Lara. 

            They were laughing and Dana was moving her hands about, obviously telling a story of some sorts.  Alice just watched from a distance.  Jealousy raged inside of her, and she bit it down.  This was going to be really hard, they looked so perfect together.  Stop it Alice, you can do this.

            Lara looked at her watch and got up; Alice ducked behind the set of bleachers she was standing at.  Her breath coming in quick spurts, sure she can go back to the woman who brought her to multiple orgasms and the fabled female ejaculation.  Sure.  Uh huh.  Alice stayed there for a long time, trying to decide what to do.  Steady Alice, she thought.  She stepped out of the shadows and said.

            “Hi Miss Dana thang.”  She called, waving at Dana.  Dana‘s face lit up, dropping the tennis racket and grabbing Alice by the hand and smiling.

            “Are you ok?”  Dana asked, sensing that there was something wrong with the way Alice as acting. 

            “Just a bit tired, and I have a deadline.”  Dana nodded, bending to tie her sneaker.

            “Want to go have lunch?”  Alice stepped away, putting her sunglasses back on.  She was thinking; yes, let Lara the crispy chef see them together.

            “Sure, let’s go.”  Alice grabbed her around the waist and they sat down to a long, long lunch; with Alice being the perfectly attentive friend.  With Lara watching from the kitchen.

*****

            Bette lay in bed, her arms behind her head.  Her bed partner snored lightly; she was remembering the events of last night.  Still fresh and crisp in her mind.

            She pushed Candace away, shaking her head furiously. 

            “NO!  I should have said that the first time, no.  I love Tee.  I know that we got stagnant in our relationship.  I should never have…  With you.”  Bette admitted; seeing the pain in her eyes, regretting her words.

            “I’m sorry I ruined your life…” Candace said; and turned to walk out.  Bette suddenly realized that she was all alone.  No matter what happened, she was all alone. 

            “Don’t go…”  Bette pleaded, and Candace turned to see her starting to cry.  Candace led her to the sofa in the corner, where they’d made love, ***** Candace corrected herself. 

            “Shhhh, let it out.”  Bette collapsed and Candace held her while she cried for everything she’d done wrong, and all the things she’d lost.