Part 3

I really dont like to intrude like this, Tina said nervously when she spotted Marinas car in the driveway. Shes a very private person.

Jenny face revealed nothing, her eyes impassive.

Shane shrugged. Im going in.

A hand stopped her. Lets be more considerate, Tina whispered and eyed Jenny. Lets try the windows first.

You think lurking is more considerate than knocking on the door? Shane grinned.

Hush! Tina slapped her arm and made a subtle nod at Jenny.

And finally Shane understood. Maybe Marina was in there with another woman – and even if Jenny seemed to have moved on with Robin, maybe she didnt need to barge in on that.

And it wouldnt be fair to Marina either.

Very slowly they moved forward. Jenny muttered something under her breath, clearly annoyed by the whole situation, especially that the others seemed to keep her away from seeing anything.

Whats that? Tina said. She is playing music. Listen

And they listened.

Love hurts, love scars, love wounds
And mars, any heart
Not tough or strong enough
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain

Whats that? Shane wasnt sure she liked it.

Tina considered it for a moment. I think its a hit from about 30 years ago. By Nazareth.

Love is like a cloud
Holds a lot of rain
Love hurts……ooh, ooh love hurts

Jenny rolled her eyes. ***** this.

Tina glared at her. When did that girl develop such a foul mouth? When they first met her she had been sweet almost shy and now.

Two female voices joined the male singer:

I’m young, I know, but even so
I know a thing or two
And I learned from you
I really learned a lot, really learned a lot

What the ***** is that? Tina blurted out, obviously forgetting about her foul mouth thoughts a minute ago.

Love is like a flame
It burns you when it’s hot
Love hurts……ooh, ooh love hurts

Marina is singing her heart out, Shane couldnt help but smile. And she got a great voice, even when she slurs a little around the edges.

Shes drunk, Jenny whispered. And some ***** woman in there getting drunk and whatever with her! Why the ***** did you two drag me here? I really dont need this right now!

Some fools think of happiness
Blissfulness, togetherness
Some fools fool themselves I guess
They’re not foolin’ me

Inside they saw a very drunk Marina stumbling around singing into something that looked like a hairbrush. And to everyones surprise another woman, just as drunk, was on her knees singing into a bottle of wine. Both of their faces was distorted with a mix of empathy for the lyrics they sang, and their hopeless fight against the tears that flooded their eyes and wetted their cheeks while they practically screamed the words out.

I know it isn’t true, I know it isn’t true
Love is just a lie
Made to make you blue
Love hurts……ooh, ooh love hurts
ooh, ooh love hurts

Shes ***** Bette now? Jenny screeched in bewilderment.

Keep you voice down! Shane hissed. They are singing, damn it, not *****! You of all people should know the difference by now! Shane looked worriedly at Tina who seemed like she was in shock.

Bette is in there – singing – with Marina? Tina said very distinctly like she spelled out every word.

They saw both women change positions and then the same song began again. This time Marina was on her knees looking at the ceiling, clutching the hairbrush like it was a lifesaver, and Bette stood behind her with both arms raised over her head, squeezing every word out like it was painful to do so.

Bette and Marina – bonding? Tina had a hard time grasping this. Bette always kept Marina at a certain distance, they were friendly but never real friends, and when Tina had asked Bette why, she always evaded every question with nothing more than an apologetic shrug and an I dont know. And Tina knew that Bette ALWAYS knew why she did most things.

A flash back to Candaces and Bettes hands touching at the Provocations made her flinch.

Should she be relieved that it was Marina in there, not Candace? Or should she be even more scared?

tbc