Wow, we look a lot alike. Dont you guys think so, thats, thats almost weird, you know strange, eerie. Hi, Im Jenny, Jenny Schecter, reaching out her hand with a most amused grin on her face.

Im Lee Frank, a friend of Bettes, oh and Marinas. She grins at Marina, knowing she will get a reaction.

Marina offers Jenny a chair then sits down her self, We met just today, not sure were friends, acquaintances seems more appropriate.

After we work together on this project, well be friends, good friends I think.

I havent agreed to work on anything. I told you I wanted to speak wi

Well, everyone, I enjoyed meeting you, but I have to go, early morning tomorrow, lots of things to pull together. She gives a quick wave, Jenny, its been especially nice to have met you. She smiles at her, turns her eyes to Marina, who is glaring at her, and Lees smile turns to a knowing grin.

*********************************

Its early Sunday morning, The Planet is relatively quiet.

Marina, I still think you should let Thomas co-manage The Planet. It leaves you more time, time to do things just for you, things you like. You would have time to do this work for the HRC then too.

Marina is resistant to the idea of working on the HRC project, primarily because of her having to work closely with Lee Frank. She knows her kind, not so long ago, she was that kind. Jenny doesnt understand, she doesnt see the connection. How can she explain it to her without bringing up unpleasant times in their relationship? She feels its too early to put this kind of risk at play, they have not learned enough of each other, they have not gotten to that point where memories are typically those theyve made together.

Okay. I can do this, we can do this. She takes Jennys hands in hers, I promise you, I will only trade my time working on this, with my time working at The Planet. Our time together will not suffer.

Do you have any idea, Jennys voice was deep and low, how you excite me when say things like that. Her smile is warm eyes glowing with instant desire for Marina, you turn me on.

Marina grins her crooked smile, Youre a little vixen; you know that?

*********************************

Marina, we should get together with Lee and talk about the commission, share some ideas, something light in atmosphere. Bette is trying desperately not to be too obvious about where she is going with this idea. I was thinking, maybe dinner at your place would be a nice setting. You know; you and Jenny, Lee, and me and Tina. Maybe Lee would like to bring someone. That would make it an even setting. What do you think?

Marina smiles at her, happy for her, I take it, you and Tina are dating, yes?

Yes, sorta, were spending time together, getting to know each other, again. Bette can hardly keep tears from forming, I think we might get through this, we might make it.

*********************************

So, you dont live here? with Marina? Lee is surprised and amused, she had assumed they were a committed couple.

I thought you were a, couple?

We are. Her voice was almost too firm, too telling in how much she wanted this woman to understand, to understand there would be nothing between them. Her romantic interests lay only with Jenny.

We simply have two homes.

Two homes, one being yours and the other being Jennys, right? That doesnt sound like a

Sorry, but we need to get back to why were here. Sensing Marinas discomfort with where the conversation was leading, Bette interrupts, Weve discussed some basic ideas. Sounds like you two need to get together, work out details of exactly what you want Marina to do. Then, I think, we can get on with the rest of this project.

Youre exactly right. Marina and I need to work out some details. Marina, you want to come to my office tomorrow evening, say around 7?

No. Twice now her voice has nearly given away her dislike of this woman. Ill be at The Planet.

Okay, I can come there.

Yeah, Marina that would work out, then you guys can use your office. If anyone needs anything, youre still available. Jenny is excited for this opportunity to get Marina to start painting again.

*********************************

Marina is pleased how professional theyve been discussing possible approaches to the work Lee wants her to do. Lee has been able to share additional thoughts, clearly within the theme that Marina has presented, as if they both can already picture the result in their minds.

Lets do a mapping of it, get some of this on a piece of paper. Scoot around so we can both see, motioning for Marina to come to her side of the desk.

Marina hesitates, not wanting to lose the comfortable barrier the desk has provided. Realizing shes being a little silly, nothing has transpired thats out of the way. She moves around to sit beside Lee and they begin to mark up the paper with their collective ideas.

We have two women with their son, right about here. Marina agrees with Lees suggestion adding her own thoughts, Then, we should place the young lovers, over here I think. If you begin to imagine the colors, I think you can see why, here and not over there.

Tell me more about the colors, Lee is watching her hands, her arms, admiring the warm colors of Marinas skin. Shes definitely enjoying listening to her, the excitement in her voice. Shes noticed that Marinas accent gets stronger when shes excited.

Leaning closer to the area Marina is describing and making notes, Lee places her hand on Marinas thigh. Marina is so involved in her description of colors, the spectrum she sees inside, the touch goes unnoticed.

Tell me how you will position the young lovers, what are they doing.

I was thinking an embrace, something like this, with their hands here and here, so its obvious about their desire, but not t… Marina describes several possible poses and what each visual may suggest to the viewer, enjoying the warm pictures forming in her thoughts. She stops, realizes Lees hand is caressing her, has been caressing, understands how the provocative nature of her descriptions has played its part and that the heat she had been imagining was real.

Marina bolts from the chair, I think weve done enough for tonight. If youll excuse me, she leaves the room.

*********************************

Marina heads for the stairs, stopping part way up, leaning against the wall. She is breathless, she cant believe the affect its had, she wont allow it, she wont She turns to continue her climb to Jenny, Jenny steps out of the doorway and sees Marina, Well, hello, I see our thoughts were heading in similar directions.

Marina races to her, grabs her, pushes her against the wall and begins to assault her lips, her neck, her *****, quickly working her way up again. Pressing hard against Jenny, breast to breast, thigh to groin, hard, hard, Jenny doesnt respond. Shes in shock but Marinas hunger is great and her attack continues, shoving her hand between Jennys legs, massaging roughly, working her fingers around her panties and into her, hard, in and out. With her other hand, rips Jennys shirt off, buttons flying, squeezing one breast while her mouth envelops the other breast, sucking hard, biting, licking. Her rhythm is fast, palm slapping against Jenny, Jenny had began to move with her, her climax fast reaching its mark. Marina raises her face to Jennys face, pressing hard against her, in and out. Both are breathing hard, unable to raise their lips to the other, eyes crazed

Lee watches out of sight from the bottom of the stairs, Marina is wild, her lover hesitant, not sure she likes this. Ah, shes responding, shes coming, theyre coming, Im coming.

As the wave subsides and they start to regain their breathing, tears begin to fall down Marinas face. They slide down the wall to the floor, holding each other, tight,
Marina, youre crying, why are you crying, Marina, empathetic tears begin to fall from Jennys eyes, Whats wrong, Marina. Marina, tell me. Please, tell me. Their tears continue, drowning inside, Marina fights for words to express what has happened inside her to bring her to this, I dont think I could take it, if you left me, Jenny. Jenny shakes her head again and again, Im not going to leave you. I love you, Marina. I wont leave you.

Jenny wipes at the tears in Marinas eyes, then at her own. As Marina too wipes at her own tears, she sees her. Their eyes catch only for a second and Lee steps back into darkness.

Jenny, theres something I need to tell you, something I need you to understand, something about me.

*********************************

Jenny listened intently as words poured out of Marina. Words she struggled with, words she had been afraid to say, desperately trying to say them so that Jenny could understand.

the daring of a clandestine encounter

Describing her youth, encounters with older women, hidden in the halls of her parents home, backrooms at school, struggling, ever struggling to have the words said.

these things intrigued me

Defining, summarizing encounters and seductions, Jenny recognizing herself in their description, words difficult for her to hear.

became part of my life

Marina was expelling words as if driven by a hidden inner force, banishing their meaning from herself, exiling them from within her.

my demons

*********************************

She had fallen asleep, with her head on Jennys lap, as Jenny cooed her washing her face, wiping away the torment. It wasnt long before she made her way to the desk. As the words had flowed from Marina, they now flowed from her. The harsh pain they had caused to her lover diminishing with each keystroke, for these were the words of love hidden beneath her lovers anguish.

*********************************

Jenny was reading when she entered The Planet. She watched her search, looking behind the counter, glancing about the room, in the garden, never noticing Jenny. She walked back to the restroom, the supply room, the office, returning frustrated but still seeking her out.

Have you ever read Eros the Bittersweet? she turns from the counter as Jenny speaks.

Undaunted by this woman who has approached Marina, this woman whos sole intent is to take Marina from her, even if only for a brief encounter. Jenny hands her the book, You should. She walks away from her towards the stairs to the apartment, Oh, by the way, Marina isnt working today.

Shes sleeping, turning a backward glance to Lee, upstairs.