The woman rocked her world; she noticed what sort of fruits she like.  She bought her clothes that she’d buy for herself; a car that would have her creaming her thongs for a year at each shift and shimmy of the throttle.  She called her the instant she had a free moment to say hi; never forgot to call if she was going to be late, what more could she want?

            She wanted Sam to say she loved her, to say the words out loud for Shane to hear.  Inasmuch as she knew Sam loved her by her actions, the words were missing.  It pained her to not hear them back when she had the courage to say them.  Shane rubbed her hands together; and got up and climbed back into their bed, she kissed the sleeping doctor and whispered.

            “I don’t care how many times I say it, and even if you don’t say it back to me, I’m not giving up hope that you feel it in your heart.”  Shane kissed her shoulder and Sam moved, her hand pulling her close and Shane found a comfortable spot in the crook of her arm and fell asleep.

*****

            They were all sitting at a large table outside at the Planet.  Alice, Dana, Shane, Bette, Tina, Marina, Jenny and Lara.  Drinking coffee and chatting, the usual things friends do on their usual day that they get together.  It was a crystal clear day; the sky was a flawless blue without a cloud to grace it.  Smiling; and laughing unaware of what was about to strike them.

            “I think we should plan a weekend away.  All of us, we need a break from, drama.”  Tina offered, smiling they’d just returned from a trip to Venus Island.  It had been why Bette had wanted to borrow Sam‘s jet, to celebrate them having been back together for 3 months.  It had been a romantic, lust filled weekend of bliss.  Tina had loved it; as had Bette.

            Kit walked up and joined the group; having been back to work for a few weeks, and not having even looked or thought of a drop of alcohol.  She also hadn’t seen Ivan, and for that, she was grateful.  She was sure that this was the time that she’d be clean and sober until the end of time.  She prayed for it.