“Jen, that is not your fault. You didn’t make him leave, you didn’t put the bottle in his hand and you certainly didn’t make him drive.”

“I know Shane,” Jenny cried out, “I just feel guilty. If I hadn’t cheated, then he’d still be here, with me, safe.”

“Everyone chooses their own destiny Jen. You chose yours as a lesbian and he chose his self-destructive destiny.”

“I know, but I’m so lost and confused.”

“Look Jen, you have a new family now. Bette and Tina are like our mothers, so nurturing and caring. They look after us when we’re sick or have done something bad. You’ll always have me here for anything. Al, Dane, Carmen and Kit will always be here to help you and to love you. Even though you lost your real family, you’ve also gained a family that knows exactly what you’re going through. And one who will accept you just as you are.”

“Thanks Shane,” Jenny says and starts to fall asleep.

The next day:

I went to the club full of determination. I’m gonna go up there, and ask Lara out. It’s as simple as that. Or is it? My internal debate out side the doors caught onlookers, I blushed and hurried inside. Well, it’s now or never I suppose. I marched straight to the kitchen.

“Is Lara Perkins in,” I asked a bus boy.

“Yeah, she’s in the back, at the prep table.”

“Thanks,” I said and walked towards the back, I immediately spotted her, here goes nothing, “Hey.”

“Hey,” she said excitedly, “Ouch!”

“Oh, my god,” I said, she had just cut her finger, “are you ok?”

“Yeah,” she said laughing, “it happens all the time.”

“But it was my fault. I distracted you,” I said, feeling guilty.

“It’s fine, I promise.”

“Well, is there anything I can do?”

“You could kiss it and make it better,” she said smiling. And of course I giggle like some silly schoolgirl. I clear my throat.

“Um. I was wondering if maybe you would like to go out with me…”

“I would love to.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“Ok! Is tomorrow night ok?”

“How about tonight,” she asked quickly.

“Tonight is great,” I say with a smile.

“Where do you wanna go?”

“Anywhere you’re going,” she responded and I smiled at her excitement.

“Yeah, but you’re a chief. So, I want to take you someplace really good, like, Ramona’s or Takata.”

“No, that’s way too expensive.”

“I know. I’ll take care of it.”

“We’re not starting out that way.”

“Come on Lara, let me impress you.”

“You’ve already impressed me with all those magnificent serves I’ve seen on the court,” she said and smiled, and I blushed.

“Alright, well, where do you want to go?”

“There’s this sushi place I’ve been dying to try, off Oceanside, called Ting Sushi. You know it?”

“Yeah, I’ve seen it. I’ll pick you up at seven.”