I bow to each and every one of you. You have filled my heart with happiness and humility. May I never loose that or you.

Sous chef, Darkhorse, I love to see our girls happy too, but you know that if they were happy all the time, this would get pretty boring. Yall are wonderful. Sous chef, Danas mom will be addressed, in several chaptersI promise.

Barb & Alma, thanks for the E-mails and the encouragement. Yall are great and have my undying respect.

Ash & Geauxtigers, thank you not only for the comments, but your suggestions. I have placed them on my list and we will see what way we go. Geauxtiger, I am glad that I could brighten a dreary day for you.

Cuban slave, you are too much!!!! So if Tigers are Big pussies, does that make me a Wild *****???? I have faith that you passed your sociology exam. If you didnt, dont worry, I still dont use anything I learned in college.

K., you keep me going at night when I run into a wall. I can never say thank you enough.

Now for those 4 words that we all love and cant wait to hearGrab whatever and enjoy!


Chapter 16


Baby, please. Dana was pleading with Lara. Her doe eyes glazing over.

I cant Dana. Lara turned her back towards Dana and headed for the kitchen.

Please. Dana followed her like a lost puppy I cant do this without you.

Why not? Lara turned to face the pleading voice. You never needed me before.

But I do now. Dana hooked her fingers in Laras belt loops and placed the top of her head against Laras chest.

Dana, I cant get off of work for two weeks and go to this tournament with you. Im sorry. Lara wrapped her arms around the smaller woman and held her tight. I would love too, but how is it going to look if I am asking off for two weeks each month?

Yeah, but I want you there. You are my good luck charm. Dana rolled her head to the left and brought her right index finger up to Laras chest, tracing little hearts and circles.

Dana, I will loose my job if I go to Indian Wells with you.

So? Would that be such a bad thing?

Yes it is. I am not going to let you support me. I have never let anyone do that since I have been out on my own and I dont plan on starting it now. Please understand that. Lara bent her head down, her lips just brushing against Danas forehead. I would love to go, but not for two weeks. Why dont you see if Tina or one of the other girls wants to go with you?

I dont think Tina is up for going anywhere right now.

Have you talked to her since Bette told you that they lost the baby?

I have wanted to, but no one thinks she is ready to talk yet. I just feel so bad for her and Bette, they really wanted this baby.

Hey, I have an idea. Why dont I whip something up and lets take it too them.

Dana finally lifted her head from its resting place. That sounds wonderful. You are such a thoughtful sweet person.

I know. Thats why you fell in love with me. Lara laughed as she gave Dana a quick kiss. Now, do they have anything that they just LOVE to eat?

They like all kinds of things. Dana had finally noticed how the conversation was shifted from Lara going to the tournament with her. Hey, you know, that conversation that we WERE having about you coming with me and supporting you? Well it aint over yet. With that, Dana turned left Lara to begin her preparation.

They walked up the steps to Bette and Tinas porch. Lara had a couple of small aluminum pans that she was carrying, Dana had carried the bag. The house looked empty, almost deserted, but Dana knocked anyway. Dana saw some movement towards the back of the house, so she knocked again.

Bette opened the door. She looked like she hadnt slept in a week. Her hair was disheveled, she was in sweatpants and a tank. The dark circles under her bloodshot eyes told the story of the pain that she and Tina were experiencing. Um, hi. We werent… she looked back through the house, expecting anyone.

We know, we thought that you might need something to eat, so Lara made some lasagna and bread for you all. It pained Dana to see Bette like this. She had always been the strong one, the rock of the group.

Bette smiled as best she could. Thats so sweet, come in.

We dont want to disturb you, Dana and I just wanted to bring this to you and see if you needed anything else. Lara didnt want to intrude on Bette and Tinas privacy.
No, you arent disturbing us. Actually, it is kinda nice to see some friendly faces. These radical ***** havent given us a moments peace. Bette began to step back to let her friends in the door. Now I am supposed to have an on-air interview about Provocations and the head *****, Faye Buckner is going to be there too. I am not looking forward to it at all.

Well, I for one cant wait for the opening. You know we will be there. Dana always supported her friends, especially when they needed it.

Thanks. I could use as many friendly faces around me as I can get. Bette closed the door behind her. Let me let Tina know that you guys are here.

No, if she is resting, I mean

Dana, she needs to come out of the bedroom at some point. Having you here may help her do that. Bette didnt wait for another protest, she walked straight back into the bedroom to get Tina.

About five minutes later, they both emerged to see that neither Dana nor Lara had moved from their spot that Bette left them in. Hi guys. Sorry the house is such a mess, I really havent felt like doing much of anything.

It isnt a mess. We understand. Dana walked towards her friend that not but a couple of weeks ago she was calling boring and gave her a much needed hug. Have you eaten yet today?

No, we have just been laying around. Bette never forced Tina to do anything that she didnt feel like doing. But that lasagna is beginning to make my mouth water. Why dont we all sit down and eat?

If you want us to, that sounds fine. We know that you guys need to have your time and you probably havent cooked anything in a few days. Lara and Dana took the pans and bread into the kitchen. Dana got out the plates and Lara began to place the portions on them. They both walked around the wall and sat the plates down in front of Tina and Bette.

This is wonderful Lara. The food seemed to melt on their tongues, but the tastes lingered on their pallets. Bette always appreciated good things.

Yeah Lara, you will have to give us the recipe. Tina loved to cook for Bette, especially things she liked.

Sure, no problem. There is actually another pan in there, you could freeze it and heat it back up when you wanted.

Oh, thank you. That is so sweet of you.
The small talk continued, even as Dana and Lara cleaned up the dishes.

Well, we better get going. If you need anything, just call. Dana went to hug her friends goodbye. Hey, I wanted to mention, I am in the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells in a couple of weeks, if you would like to get away, you both could come with me. Lara has to work and I hate to go to these things alone.

Well, I have the opening to get ready for, but Tina, if you wanted to get away, it may do you some good.

Tina shook her head while she thought about the offer. Let me think about it.

Great. We will talk to you guys later. With that, Dana and Lara left.

Dana was quiet on the drive home. She hated pain, she hated sorrow, she hated the whole situation. She stared out the window, watching the blur of the trees go by.

A penny for your thoughts. Lara could see Dana begin to slip back into her depressed shell.

Hmmm. Dana wasnt listening, Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about Bette and Tina. They are the most stable couple that I know and to see them like that scares me.

Baby, they will make it. They love each other. With friends like you and everyone else, they have to. Lara took her hand and laid it on Danas, to try and give her some support. Hey, Ive been thinking.

Thats dangerous.

Smart *****. Now Im not going to tell you.

Oh, please tell me. You know I love to hear all of your brilliant ideas. Dana batted her eyes at Lara.

Well since you asked me so nicely. I thought that maybe I would drive down to the tournament on the weekend and spend a couple of days with you there. Lara waited for the squeal, but it didnt come.

Instead, Dana leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. You are too good to be true. She placed her head on Laras shoulder, wondering what she had done to have gotten so lucky. As they pulled up in front of Danas, a sinking feeling came over her that she couldnt shake.

Whats wrong Dana? Lara could feel her tense up.

I dont know. Dana got a nauseous feeling come over her. SomethingI just have a sick feeling that I cant shake. She became flushed.

Baby youre scaring me. Lets get you inside. Laras concern grew. She had never seen Dana act like this.

Lara walked Dana inside and took her straight to bed. Once she got Dana settled, she went to get a cool wash cloth to place on Danas forehead. Do you feel like you are going to pass out? Dana just shook her head back an forth. Ill go get you something to drink. Ill be right back.

No, please dont leave me. Something just doesnt feel right. I cant place my finger on it. Danas eyes told Lara how scared she was. She wasnt in physical pain, but emotional. Please just hold me for a while.

Lara did as she was asked. She slid behind Dana and placed her arms around Danas body, holding on for dear life, giving her support and love. Their bodies looked as if they were one as Dana finally relaxed and drifted off to sleep. Lara never left her side. She didnt want too, she couldnt.

Dana was awakened by the ringing phone. Lara had tried to get it before it woke her up, but failed at her mission. Hello Lara intently listened to the person on the other end. Yeah this is Lara.
Her expression went to one of confusion to one of anxiety.

No. We will be right there. She hung up the phone and turned to a wide-eyed Dana.

Whawhats wrong Lara? Danas heart quit beating.

Lara turned to Dana and braced her arms on Danas. That was Howie. Lara paused and took a deep breath. Its your mom. Theres been an accident.