Shane cries silently in her bed, holding her pillow; she can’t help the bad memories from invading her mind right now.  It’s been a week since she last talked to Carmen in her office.  That same day she packed her bag and returned to Los Angeles.  She didn’t say a word to her friends.  She didn’t need to because it was pretty obvious what had happened.  Since that day, she’s barely left her room.  She stays there all the time thinking and crying.

“Shane?”  Alice slowly opens the door and enters the room.  She has a bowl of hot soup in her hands.  “Jenny told me you haven’t eaten today.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“I know you’re not, but you need to eat to be okay Shane.  I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.  We need you here Shane… I need you… please?”  Alice begs.

Shane looks at her with compassion.  “Ok, I’m gonna eat it.  Just leave it there.  Thank you.” 

“You’re welcome… Now I leave you alone.  I trust you.  See ya later.”  She closes the door.

Shane sits up and takes the bowl from the nightstand.  She takes the spoon and stirs her soup as softly one name escapes her lips.  “Carmen…”

————————————————————————————————————————————

The Planet – 11 p.m.

“I don’t know what else to do.  This is not fair you know?  First her mother now Carmen, shit!  This is so fucked up!”  Alice complains.

“We know baby girl, but this is something Shane has to overcome herself.  We can only be there to support her,” offers Kit.

“She needs some time alone to absorb her pain.  We all do at some point,” Jenny adds.

“But she’s been in her room all this week!  She needs to go out or something.”

“Or…”  Bette adds, “We can all go and have a gathering with her in her room.”

“That’s a wonderful idea, Bette!”  Helena smiles.

“So what are we waiting for?!  Let’s go!”  Tina stands up and signals the girls to follow her.  “You coming, Kit?”

“Yeah, but let me fix some things here first.  I’ll be there in a sec.”