“Carmen, you don’t know how lucky you are.  I know your heart is breaking, but look at all the people you have in your life who love you and are concerned for your well being.  I wish I knew what that felt like,” Helena trailed off.  Carmen reached out and placed her hand over Helena’s.

“I’m so sorry.  I didn’t realize…I mean, I should have guessed that since your mother ‘disinherited you’, she wouldn’t be around, but we’re all gonna help you through this, ‘k?  And anyway, what about that woman you were dating…Dylan?  You two really seemed to hit it off.”

Helena stared wide-eyed at her friend.  How did she not know?  It had been weeks since Dylan had filed the sexual harassment suit and left.  As her brow knitted, she asked, dumbfounded, “Carmen, didn’t you know?  Dylan sued me for sexual harassment, eked money from me and the studio and left town! “ 

Carmen was incredulous.  “Wait.  What the fuck?  Helena, when the fuck did this happen?” 

“Um…like two months ago.  Are you serious?  You really didn’t know?”

“Of course not!  How could I know?  You never said anything.  No one told me anything.  You never indicated anything was going on.  If I would have known, Helena…I’m sorry.”

Helena pondered what Carmen had just said.  She realized that she hadn’t said much to anyone about Dylan.  Of course Tina knew because everyone at Shaolin had heard the gossip about the boss’s big blunder.  And she had told Alice, but Dana was very sick at the time and Alice was preoccupied with caring for her.  The day of the mediation was the day Dana passed away so everything else was swept under the rug.  Then there was the funeral, the trip to spread Dana’s ashes and the planning of the wedding, all of which consumed everyone’s thoughts and energy for weeks.  When Helena realized this, she knew she needed to reveal to Carmen the recent events surrounding her love life.  In order to do so, she was going to need another drink so she summoned a waitress and ordered another round for them both.

By the time she had finished her story, Helena was feeling a slight buzz from the alcohol.  Carmen had barely touched her second drink.  She was so engaged in Helena’s story to pay much attention to her mojito.  And though she felt bad for her friend, she couldn’t help but smile at how cute Helena was when she was tipsy.   It was just so odd to see this woman who was usually so composed talking a little louder than normal and with a slight slur.