“I love you” Dana whispers hoarsely as Alice gently applies chap stick to Dana’s lips.

“I love you too” Alice replies and leans over giving Dana a kiss on her forehead.  Alice had been by Dana’s side since Dana was rushed to the hospital almost a week before.  Everyone had tried to convince her to go home, just for a relaxing shower or a nap stretched out in her own bed.  But Alice refused, she wanted to be there for Dana.  It was a beautiful day and Dana’s nurse had finally convinced Alice to take a walk around the outside of the hospital, just to get some fresh air and have a change of scenery.

“Will you be okay if I leave and take a walk around the hospital?”  Alice asked as she watched Dana, patiently waiting for a response.  Dana was weak, could barely speak, and her movements were slow.  But Alice sensed extra hesitation before Dana slowly nodded her head up and down.  Noticing the hesitation, Alice asked again “Are you sure because if you don’t want me to go I won’t.”  Dana nodded her head again and Alice kissed Dana on the forehead again and walked out telling Dana she wouldn’t be gone long.

Not feeling well, Dana closed her eyes and tried to relax.  She was fighting the cancer with everything she had, not wanting to give up, but the cancer had been winning recently.  Her body was getting weaker and weaker and the past 2 days she was falling in and out of consciousness for hours at a time.  When unconscious she would have dreams about her past.  It was as if she was watching video clips of her life and evaluating them.  Dana didn’t know how to tell anyone without them thinking she was giving up, but she had decided the day before that if it was her time, she was ready to go.  She had forfilled all of her dreams, became a professional tennis player, won a major tournament, came out of the closet and was open about her sexuality without everyone hating her, and she had fallen in love.  Dana’s only fear with death was leaving Alice. 

Dana’ dreams and self evaluation made her realize just how good of a friend Alice was to her.  From the beginning Alice always supported Dana.  Though Alice didn’t really know much about tennis and teased Dana every chance she got, Alice was always making sure Dana was eating healthy, getting plenty or rest, and not over doing her workouts.  Alice was always there to help Dana anytime she needed a friend.  She was there to give advice about Lara.  She didn’t hesitate to go with Dana when Dana finally decided to come out to her parents.  And though Alice could not stand Tonya, she still supported every decision Dana made with that relationship because that’s what best friends do.  Then the unexpected 4 am kiss.  The kiss that opened Dana’s eyes and made her realize she had fallen in love with her best friend.  A relationship that could never go wrong, they had no secrets, no lies, pure honesty because they had been open and honest with each other for years.  But Dana got scared and ran, unsure of how to handle being unconditionally loved.