“Tina I know you are trying to be brave and maybe you’re a little embarrassed about all this but please stop with the bullshit excuses and let’s just get out of here.” Shane said losing her patience.

“How did I get here Shane?”

“Tina we don’t have time for a breakdown right now. We can talk when we get to my place. If she’s on her way over then I want us to be long gone by the time she gets here. I really don’t feel like getting into a fight tonight but I’m just pissed off enough to want to kick her ass all the way back to New York City and yours too if you go with her.”

“We don’t need any violence Shane. I’ll go with you. I’ll just follow you in my car.”

“I’m not letting you out of my sight. I’ll drive. We can come back and get your car tomorrow.”

***

The next morning Tina hesitatingly answered her cell phone when she saw Helena’s number on the display. She and Shane had stayed up for hours talking the night before. Shane filled her in on a lot of the details that she hadn’t wanted to hear about Helena before. She had to admit none of this would have happened if she’d only heeded her friend’s warnings but Shane wasn’t the type to say ‘I told you so.’ Her main concern was Tina’s safety. She felt Tina needed protection from this lunatic and the only way was to involve Bette. Shane went next door to talk to Bette while Tina was in the shower.

“Hello.”

“Hi.”

“How are you feeling today?”

“Same as yesterday. What do you want?”

“I want to apologize. I’m sorry I said those awful things to you Tina … that was uncalled for on my behalf. Will you please accept my apology?”

“I don’t think that is something I can forgive Helena. You showed absolutely no regard for me and even though you’ve apologized I think that is really how you feel about me. I’m beginning to see more clearly what Bette and everyone else was trying to warn me about.”

“Tina. I admit I was out of line but you said some pretty harsh things too. I thought you wanted to explore your sexuality in ways you hadn’t dreamed of before. I was just showing you another side of Tina. I thought we were kindred spirits.”