Stop being so dramatic a young voice cut through the noise of the falling rain and resounded in Shanes ears.  I taught you better

Shane turned her head toward the voice and saw a young woman leaning against a phone booth.  The woman wore a green army jacket zipped up tightly over tight stone washed jeans.  Her dark brown hair fell slightly in her face; she pushed it away piercing Shane with her deep green eyes.  The woman had a wicked smile on her face, never faltering, her body calm undeterred by the rain and cold.

*****  Shane dropped her arms, and they fell limply to her side, she turned and faced the young woman.  Now I have lost my god damn mindam I some big cosmic joke?

Not happy to see me?  The woman grinned, her eyes flashed.

Shane felt the wetness roll down her face; her lips tasted the salt of bitter tears.  Fuckthis time they will throw away the key

Shanehoneyyoure not crazy  The woman straightened up her grin never faltering.  I just wanted to ask you for a favor 

What the ***** do you mean Im not ***** crazy she gestured her arms toward the taller woman.  Your ***** deadthis isnt real  Shane thought back to the day her mother left her; she remembered her nine year old self waving goodbye.  She also bitterly remembered the moment she found out that her mother had over dosed in a crack house alone in Texas.  She grasped at her hair, and shook her head theyre going to me send to the funny farm nowseeing dead people

Youre right, Im not real Shane  Shane looked up at her.  Still I want whats best for youI need you to do me a favorfor old time sake Her smile never faded, if anything it grew bigger. 

I dont owe youI dont owe you a god damn thingyou left meyou owe me  Shane gripped her head and began to rock it side to side.  The tears fell mixing with the cold rain, and her body felt hot despite the cold wet rain.

Shanego home… 

Shane looked up shocked to see nothing but an empty phone booth.  She stood looking at the spot her mother had stood in not moments before.  She searched her memory for her mothers face, she had already forgotten it, and she needed to find it.  She needed to see her mothers smile again, to take it and place it in the safest part of her away from the demons.  After what seemed like hours she remembered it, and she held it close to her, her mother was rightshe needed to go home

Im losing my god damn mind  Shane turned and continued down the street, but this time she walked with a purpose.  Adrenaline flowed through her veins, and her body moved toward the familiarity of West Hollywood, she had no control it pushed her with out her permission carrying her scarred soul toward the relief and rest she longed for. 

The unforgiving rain fell harder as she continued to trudge along for hours.  Eventually she arrived at her destination, her clothes clinking to her soaked through to her bones.  She lifted her pale face and looked up to the third floor of the apartment building.  The lights were off, she should just gobut her body once again forced her to the buzzer, pressing it and holding it down, before she could stop her trembling hand.

Fuckits 4 oclock in the ***** morningwho the ***** is it?  The tired angry voice came through the speaker box, and Shane stiffened her body, turning slightly ready to bolt.

Shanego home  she heard her mothers voice, and she mustered her courage, pushing away her fears and doubt and managed to push out Shane  her voice felt huskier and lower, and for a moment she thought maybe she didnt say it out loud.  She swallowed, and began to speak again when she heard the door open; she turned and felt Alice in her arms holding herhugging her.

Shaneyou came back  Alice gripped her friend, her worse fears replaced by the simple joy of seeing Shane alive.  She backed up, still gripping Shanes handafraid to let go.  Come onlets get you in a warm bath and some food in your skinny *****  Alice grinned and pulled her in the building.  Shane remained quite; to tired to speak, she followed Alice, the warmth of Alices hand warming her very soul.  As they got to Alices apartment the door was open, they walked in, and Alice turned to Shane.  Welcome home