But I dont need something to sleep in, I inform her, were going to have *****. Arent we?

Dana!

Alice! This is fun. Lets do it again!

What makes you think were going to have *****?

Im drunk, you kissed me. Remember? and now youre taking me to your bedroom. Shes nervous. Ill just help her a little. I lean in a kiss her on the neck. And besides Im not going homeSHES there. I hope she knows I mean Tonya, cause I dont want to explain what I mean.

No Dana, she says. We cant do this. Ill help you into bed, but Im sleeping on the couch.

Dont you want me anymore, I ask. She must not if shes turning me down like this.

Dana, Sweetie we cant do this, she says. Well both regret it in the morning.

So you DONT want me anymore! Im very distressed right now. First Tonya wants me, then Alice wants me, then Tonya doesnt want me, now Alice doesnt want me. I feel like Im on a yo-yoriding up and down and up and down.

Dana, Alice grabs my arm. I DO want you. Cant you see that? I want so much to make love to you right nowbut youre drunkand I dont want us to be like that. Like what? Like two people who just want to be together? I cant look at her. I yank my arm from her grip and sit on the bed. We have to take care on Tonya

That *****!

We have to take care of Tonya before we can think about exploring what we may or may not have. She sits next to me on the bed, putting her around me. I want us both to have clear heads when we discuss, and I DO mean discuss, what might be going on between us. Shes rightI know shes right. Im just so hurt by all this rejection. I cant stand it. First my parents, then Larano wait, Lara never rejected me. She was just too good for meI couldnt stay with hershe WOULD have rejected me eventually though. I notice Im crying as Alice tries to lay me down on the bed. She helps me under the covers and goes to leave the room.

She turns out the light and is about to leave. I call her name, Alice?

Yeah, she answers.

Will you stay with me? I dont want to be alone tonight. I feel so alone alreadyI just want to be held.

Sure, she says, approaching me on the bed. She joins me under the covers and wraps her warm, inviting arms around me. In her embrace I feel safe enough to fall asleep and soon drift off to dreamland.

To be Continued