SYDNEY: And how do you feel about that?

TASHA: Playing my friendly shrink again?

SYDNEY: You know I don’t mean it that way.

TASHA:  I just don’t know why Alice has to be so damn nasty about it all.

SYDNEY:  She’s angry•at herself.  She needs to justify her behavior.  She’s not beating you up to tear you down•but doing it to build herself up.  Don’t take it personally, even if you still end up with the same bruises.

TASHA: And how about you and Shane?

SYDNEY:  We speak every day•sometimes several times a day.  She called me yesterday with her grades. Said I was the first person she wanted to tell.  She’s such an L.A. girl; it just seems unfair to ask her to come back east.

TASHA: Are you going to stay in L.A. after Christmas?

SYDNEY: You know how I feel about that.  I’m as much a northeastern girl as Shane is a Southern Cal gal.

Tasha hesitates for a moment, then becomes serious.

TASHA: You know that Shane and Carmen have been back in touch.  (Syd nods yes)

Have you asked Shane what’s up with her and Carmen?

SYDNEY: I don’t want to ask for information when I know the answer will be a lie. 

Besides, isn’t this what you keep telling me is so special about lesbians, you’re friends, then you date, then you’re back to friends? (Tasha shrugs) I know you’re trying to protect me and I appreciate that.  But Shane and Carmen need to sort their feelings out.  I can’t play a role in that.  I never want Shane to feel trapped.  If she’s in a relationship with me, then that needs to be because she wants to be•not because she feels obligated to be.  That’s the one beautiful thing about gays not being allowed to marry•you’re not legally bound.

TASHA: That’s all very evolved of you.

They both laugh.

SYDNEY: An honorable person knows when enough is enough.  I just hope I’m strong enough to be an honorable person.

TASHA: Are you and Shane still planning to come to my grandmother’s for Christmas dinner?

SYDNEY: We wouldn’t miss it. (Syd looks up and smiles.) Look•it’s snowing!