As Angelica ran behind the animals, Bette came over and sat with Helena. Their thighs barely touched. Helena slowly moved away. As much as she was enjoying their encounter she was uncomfortable if the contact was too close for too long. She kept telling herself, she is not available and neither are you. She realized she was lost in her own thoughts and missed much of what Bette was saying. She tuned back in to hear Bette asking her about what she was planning to wear to the Halloween party. She really had not given it much thought and actually hoped that Alice and Bette had forgotten about their insistence that she attend.

“I hadn’t really given in much thought. You know I don’t really want to go”

“Oh get over it already. It will be a blast. Everyone is going and Jodi will be here. I think she is planning some exotic artsy costume. Anyway, I promise you, I will make it my personal mission to see to it that you have a good time. Perhaps you will meet someone to get you out of you anti-dating funk. Helena, there is no good reason for you to be single or at least not dating or just simply fucking. You should be sowing your wild oats. For God sakes, at least get a little nibble or bite.”

“Bette, I don’t just want nibbles and bites”

“What’s wrong with nibbles and bites? What is it that you want? What is it that you are looking or waiting for? “

Helena became uncomfortable with the line of questioning. Could she dare tell Bette, “What I want is you?”

Bette tried to get Helena’s eye contact. But Helena just could not give it. She stood up and began to walk around anxiously. She thought to herself. “Doesn’t she know? How could she not know? Why is she torturing me this way?”

Trying to take herself out from the heat Helena changed the subject asking. “So how is Jodi?”

The ball of discomfort was now in Bette’s court. Bette shook her head. Now it was her turn to get up and pace. “I guess she is fine. This long distance relationship is so difficult. I love Jodi but to add to the challenges of communication because of her hearing impairing. We now have thrown in the distance. I guess it is okay. I love her. I love her brain, the talent and her sensitivity. She keeps me in check and centers me, but the distance to a major challenge. I just not sure….