“As I recall, that’s what she said she was doing at the restaurant.”

“Yeah, but… I don’t know, something seemed so… different about her.”

“I thought you wanted her to change.”

“I do, but I didn’t want her to… I mean…”

“Sounds like you don’t know what you want.”

Carmen slapped Mercedes on the stomach.

”Ow.”

“Don’t tell me what I know and don’t know.”

“OK, fine, I won’t. But I wouldn’t if you’d tell me what you want.”

“I don’t know what I want.”

Mercedes opened her mouth to speak, but Carmen quickly silenced her.

“Not a word.”

Mercedes just sighed.

“Fine! Dios mio, I hate women sometimes… Ow!”

Carmen got up.

“You know what? I’m just gonna leave.”

“Oh, come on, Carmen, I was kidding!” Mercedes yelled, as her friend walked out the front door. “So fucking difficult.” She murmured before flopping back down on her couch and turning on the TV.

“Hey, baby.” Tina smiled as she walked over to her wife.

“Hey, Tee, you scared me there.” Bette replied, panting.

“Oh, I’m sorry, honey. What do you have there?” she asked leaning over Bette’s shoulder to read the letter in her hand.

”Nothing.” Bette snapped the letter back into a folded position so that Tina couldn’t read it.

“Bette, what is it?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh, my god. It’s not that bitch Candace again, is it? Because I swear to fucking God, if she touches you again, she’s dead!

“No, baby. It’s just a letter from an old friend.”

“Then let me see it.” Tina’s jaw was set and she obviously wasn’t going to change her mind.

“Fine. Here.” Bette handed it to her and watched her eyes scan the paper.

“I…I don’t understand, why would Helena Peabody…?”

“I have no idea, Tee, but…” Bette took a deep breath, “I think I should take the job.”

Tina gazed at her, a smile spreading across her face.

“I agree. This sounds like a good job for you.”

Bette was relieved.

”Good. Ready to go to dinner?”

“Of course.”

Shane sighed, leaning back. She had most of her plan figured out. It was still going to be hard to execute, but she knew she had to do it. “Tonight. I have to do it tonight!” she got up and walked out the door, she didn’t know where this sudden burst of courage came from, but she was sure it might never come again if she didn’t act on it.