Jenny and Taylor arrived at Tantric. She had been right. The women here were crazy.

What do you think? Taylor handed Jenny a shot of Vodka. She slammed hers, then Jenny threw back her own.

*****!

Good stuff, huh?

***** yeah. This place is insane!

I know. Lets dance.

Taylor grabbed Jenny by the hand and led her to the floor.


***


Alice? Alice, where the ***** are you? Dana stopped dead in her tracks. Alice was frozen, the expression on her face was horrific. Alice, what is it? Is something out there?

Yes. There. Is. Shhh. It might hear us! Over there, in the bushes. See that shadow?

Dana looked in the direction of Alices finger. There was indeed a large shadow cast upon the surrounding trees.

*****! Dana whispered. Alice, I want you to walk very slowly to me. Try not to step on any leaves.

Alices expression changed from horrified to dumbfounded. Theres ***** leaves all over the ***** ground! She was beginning to panic.

Alice, stay calm, okay? Just walk to me, baby. I know you can do it.

Alice took a step towards Dana. The sound of her foot on the dry leaves made a loud crunch.

*****. *****. *****. Dana, I cant! Im making too much noise

Ok, Al. Im coming to get you. Stay there.

Like Im gonna move!


***

I like your apartment, Tina. Youve done a nice job decorating.

You mean that one solitary painting above the mantle piece?

Really. I like it.

Im glad. Would you like to see the bedroom?

Would she like to see the bedroom? Hmmm. Bette thought about that for about – um, two seconds, of course.

This is it. Tina sat on the bed. It was neatly made, the quilt that covered the sheets was a rich deep purple. Silk. Have a seat.

Bettes heart jumped into her throat. I like the silk, it must be comfortable. Bette ran her hand along the top of the blanket.

It is. Why dont you experience it for yourself?

Bette was shocked by Tinas forwardness. She had never been so aggressive when they were a couple. Not that she didnt like it. It was just very different.

Well, I dont want to impose.

Tina smiled. No ones imposing here. Ugh, my feet are killing me. Lie down with me, Bette.

The two women lay stomach to stomach. Bette slowly stroked Tinas belly. She put her ear up to it. I can hear them moving around.

Theyve been doing a lot of that lately.

Bette kissed Tinas belly, then kissed her forehead. She cupped her face in both hands, then kissed her lips. I need you back in my life. I thought for a while that I had lost you to Helena. I thought maybe Jenny could help me forget, but you were always there, in the back of my mind, straining to burst out and tell me what a fool I was.

Jenny? Bette, were you and Jenny –

I wasnt going to tell you, to be honest. But thats just it – I want to be honest with you, Tina. Always.

Good. I want us both to be honest with each other. All I care about right now is being with you, okay?

Bette smiled. She ran her fingers through Tinas blonde locks. Okay.


***

Wow, Taylor. Youre a great dancer!

Oh, it was nothing. You should have seen yourself out theredamn, girl. Looking hot!

Really? No, youre just saying that so I dont feel embarrassed.

No Im not. For real, you were on fire. I should take you here more often. Taylor ordered two more shots at the bar. Funny how a seventeen year old could order shots. This was some kind of club.

I am having such an awesome time. Thank you for taking me here. I cant believe you knew about this place.

Cuz Im so young.

Well, yeah. I guess. I dont want to be stereotypical, but you are young.

I know. But I sure do know how to party.

They swallowed their second shots of Vodka, which was now becoming Jennys favorite drink, then headed back to the dance floor for another round.


***


Okay, Ive got you. Dana held onto Alice tight. Now what?

I dont know. Theres something out there, Dana. I dont know what, but its ***** scaring me.

Its probably nothing. Maybe if I throw a rock at it, itll run away.

Dana moved to pick up a stone off of the ground, when Alice caught her arm. What?! No! Youll just piss it off!.

Then what are we going to do? Dana was beginning to feel a little scared herself.

Maybe we should call for help? Wait, thatll make it angry.

I dunno, maybe not. I saw some of the other campers getting out of their tents. They might come to save us.

Okay, okay. On the count of three, well yell help.

Dana and Alice held each other even tighter. Baby, Alice started, if we dont make it out of this alive, I want you to know that I love you.

Dana trembled slightly. I love you too, Al.

One, two, three

HHHHHHHEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP!!!


***

Jenny needed to take a break and catch her breath. Taylor proved to be quite exhausting.

Do you even breathe?

Ha. Im just used to it. You will be too, soon enough.

Ahh. I see you have plans for me, do you?

Oh, yes. Big plans.

Well heres a plan, why dont you come over to my place.

Your place. Hmmm. And what exactly would we do, at your place?

Well, we can play a game of gin rummy, or maybe watch a movie.

I like that plan. What say we get outta this crazy place.

Taylor took Jennys hand and led her out the door and into the night.


***

Bette, are you asleep? Tina looked over at the love of her life. She was sound asleep. Tina got up to use the bathroom. She looked at the dresser next to the bed, and for some strange reason, her cell phone was glowing.

Who in the world is calling me at this hour? It wasnt really that late, according to young peoples standards. Tina had gotten used to going to bed much earlier since her pregnancy.

Hello?

Tina? Tina! Oh my God It was Alice, and she sounded desperate.

Alice? Whats wrong? I thought you were supposed to be with Dana in Colorado.

I am! *****, Tina! Were being stalked by a grizzly bear!

How are you getting such good reception, all the way from Colorado? You must have a great service provider.

Tina!

Sorry. Youre being stalked by a grizzly bear? Alice, I thought those were only native to California. Arent they extinct?

I dont ***** know! All I do know is theres something out there, and whatever it is, its probably hungry. I just wanted to call you to say good bye. In case something happens to me and Dana.

Tina tried not to giggle. Everyone knew Alice was afraid of bears. Tina would put a hundred bucks down that it was nothing but a pesky old skunk.

Alice, I want you to calm down, alright? Wheres Dana?

What?

Alice, focus. Where is Dana?

Shes right next to me.

Okay, I want you to put her on the phone.

Alice handed the phone to Dana. Hello? Tina?

Dana, what in the world is going on over there? Alice is talking nonsense about grizzly bears!

I dont know what it is, Tina. Were just waiting for some of the other campers to come and get us so we dont get eaten.

Eaten? Eaten!? You both are insane. Look, youre going to be fine. I want you to call me in the morning after youve realized this whole thing is just all in your worried little heads.

Okay. Okay, Ill call you tomorrow. Bye.

Tina hung up. She shook her head. Bears? Not likely. Even so, what would they want with Alice or Dana? They were both as skinny as Twiggy. Maybe it needed a toothpick.


***


I like your house, Jenny. Its very welcoming.

Thanks. Its actually Shanes. Im her roommate.

Oh. You two arent –

No, no. Shane and I are friends. Thats all.

Cool.

So, what would you like to do?

Taylor took a seat on the couch. I dunno. What movies you got?

Jenny opened up a box on the floor. She pulled out a DVD.

Did you ever see All Over Me?

No? Whats it about?

Jenny put it into the DVD player. Watch, and youll find out.


***

Hey! We heard screamingis there someone out there? An anonymous camper yelled.

Yes! Were over here, help! Alice yelled back.

The campers, all three of them, headed over to the spot that Alice and Dana were permanently glued to. They looked like an ice sculpture, frozen with fear.

Its okay, you guys. Theres nothing out here.

What? Alice wouldnt believe them.

Its all clear!

Alice looked at Dana, Dana looked at Alice.

Should we go? Alice asked.

Yeah. I think we should. They seemed like pretty nice people. I dont think theyd throw us to the dogs.

Bears, Alice corrected.

Right, bears. Dana glanced at Alice. Did she really think it was a bear? The shadow was large, but not quite big enough to be such an animal.

Okay, lets walk slowly over to them.

Okay.

The two crept towards the voices of the other campers. It was as if they were both tied to each other at the ankles and wrists, they crept so slowly that one camper grew impatient.

Cmon, you two! Hurry up! What are you so afraid of? Theres nothing out here but you and a big ice chest!

Ice chest?

A what? Alice felt her stomach floor it to the ground. An – an ice chest.

The corners of Danas mouth turned up into a little smirk. Alice.

Hey, that ***** ice chest looks exactly like a bear. It does, look at it!

Now that Dana had looked at the shadow a little more carefully, she could plainly see that it was nothing more than an ice cooler. The entire camp ground would surely be laughing at them the next day. Probably all through the night.

Come on, Al. Lets go back to sleep.