Helena, that was so sweet of you, exclaimed Tina while arranging the two dozen lavender roses in their substantial cut crystal vase with both hands and balancing the phone between her shoulder and her ear.

They were as close to purple as I could get, remarked Helena. I wanted to thank you for bringing my school girl days back to me so vividly!

Oh God, I didnt really offend you–laughing at your purple uniform, did I? questioned Tina, a small frown crossing her face.

Of course not Christina! laughed Helena, I was really just looking for a reason to send you flowers.

Well thank you again, they are beautiful, Tina replied.

So, to properly thank me will you do me the honour of having dinner with me again? asked Helena. No expectations, just dinner with a beautiful woman who makes me smile.

Id like that, said Tina, Id really like that.

***

Bette drove around aimlessly. Melissa Etheridge was singing, Im alright, Im alright, It only hurts when I breathe, directly from the stereo into Bettes heart. Bette was past crying. Bette was past hoping.

I wonder what would happen if I turned off the road right here, contemplated Bette while looking at the shoulder of the winding Pacific Coast Highway. She noticed the violent surf hitting the bottom of the cliffs below. After a moment she turned the wheel slightly, causing the car to move perilously close to the edge of the road, then jerked it back a moment later. It really would be pretty easy, wouldnt it? she thought. Bette only remembered two other times in her life when she felt this level of despair–when her mother passed away, and when Tina lost the baby.

There was only one person in the world Bette could go to when she was this depressed–someone who had been there before for her, someone who would always be there for her, someone who loved her as only a sister can.

Bette turned the car around and headed for Kits house.

***

Tina felt like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. She leaned into Helenas arms as they sat on the beach, listening to the roaring surf, higher than usual due to a Pacific storm. The uneasiness she had experienced the last time she was with Helena had disappeared. Helena was running her fingers through Tinas hair in a slow sensuous pattern that was relaxing Tina at the same time it was arousing her. Tina felt the warm night air caressing her bare shoulders as she dug her toes past the warm top layer of sand into the cooler bit below. She felt free and she felt *****–both feelings that were rare over the past five months.