Spencer knew that it was likely that her mom and Christine were doing more than apologizing, but she didn’t care about that.  She only wanted to hear about Ashley.  “Mom..did Ashley say anything else?” Spencer said with sign of oncoming tears on her face.

“Spencer, there is something between you and her, isn’t  it?  Just tell me. I really might understand.”

“Yes, mom there is.”  Mom, I know you fully understand.  It’s the only reason you are so calm right now!

Paula sighed.  “Is…is…this…your first ..ummm.. experience…with a…?

“No, mom it isn’t.”

Paula was shocked.  She could take one fleeting lapse in judgment or an experiment.  I mean she had one herself, but to really be gay was another thing to her.  “What? You are really gay?”

“Mom, I’ve been a lesbian for a long time now…just tell me about Ashley.”

"So..was Tracy….a…?” Paula’s facial expression was blank.

“Yes,  mom.  Gee! And so was Jennifer, Carla, Samantha, and —“

“Spencer please ….spare me…”

“Mom…can we talk about this later?  I think that I’ve hurt someone I really care about. Just tell me what you know about Ashley!”

Spencer was distraught inside but at least happy that her coming out moment to her mom was not the nightmare she imagined.  It had to be her rekindling with Christine that made this much easier.

***

Arriving at school, Spencer searched for Ashley.  She couldn’t find her.  All she hoped was that she would show up for English today so they could talk.  Spencer arrived at class earlier blocking the seat next to her in the hopes that a full class would leave Ashley only one choice of seating, next to her.  It had worked.  Ashley was the last to walk into class.  She didn’t look anything like herself.  Anyone could tell that she had been doing a lot of crying with the bags under her eyes.  Spencer’s heart dropped at what she may have caused. 

Ashley sat down in the seat next to her feeling Spencer’s eyes burning a hole in the side of her face.  Spencer whispered, “Ashley…please talk to me…”

Ashley sighed.

“Look, I really need to explain some things to you…”

Ashley only sighed again.

“I’m sorry…if you talk to me, we can make this better…”