Shane woke up from the couch as if shocked by lightening. She had heard a car door close outside. ‘Jenny’ she thought as she jumped up to the window.  As she looked outside all she saw was Mrs. Garcia from across the street driving away.  She grabbed her cell phone from the table and saw she had no incoming calls.  She walked down the hallway to see if Jenny had snuck into their house without waking her but her bed was empty. Shane sat down on the edge of the bed. ‘Where are you, Jenny’ she thought as she dropped her head into her hands.  After a few minutes Shane got up and went into the kitchen. She stood with her hands leaning on the kitchen sink and stared blankly out the window. She saw movement through the windows of Tina and Bette’s house.  Tina was making her way to the kitchen with Bette following close behind. She watched as they interacted. Tina went for the coffee maker as Bette went towards the refrigerator. Bette put down the items she had removed onto the counter and wrapped her arms around Tina’s waist and kissed the back of her neck. The look of pure happiness on her friends faces clear as the light of day. Despite her current misery a smile formed on Shane’s face. She was so happy for them. Shane had fooled herself into thinking that what she was looking for was what Tina and Bette had but after much soul searching it hit her that she was meant to be alone.    Whatever this life had in store for her she was going to have to face solo and she had finally come to terms with it.  She just regretted hurting those she dated while trying to discover this transparent fact.   That is why this thing with Jenny was so incredibly difficult.  Although she now knew she would never be in a committed relationship it just made her realize how much more valuable her friendships are.  Jenny was her best friend and she could not believe how stupid she had been to mess with Nicki so soon after they had broken up.   Shane let out a deep breath and left the quiet and empty house through the front door.
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