I fall back to the couch; Shane walks over, pulling me into a hug. “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything, honest Al.” She stops, I know she just as confused as I am.

“I know and I’m just being an idiot,” I wipe the tears from my eyes. “Just for a minuteit justI dunnoit seemed like she was mine again you know. But when I woke up alone” I can’t finish my sentence.

“Al, I’m sure she had reasons. But I don’t understand. What did she need to tell you? Does she want to try it againyou knowthe two of you? Because..”

I cut Shane off, “No. It’s” I wonder if I should be the one to tell Shane. ***** it right, she is my friend, “DanawellDana has can..” I still can’t say it.

Shane notices my hesitation, “Al, Dana’s sick? She has cancer?” Her expression twists into confusion just how mine had the night before.

I simply nod my head, feeling the tears come back to my eyes.

Why am I crying? I’m not the one who’s sick. Am I crying because I woke up alone? Not even a goodbye after I had held her all night, soothing away her tears. I sigh knowing I shouldn’t and can’t think this way. Dana doesn’t need my love she needs my friendship. And I have SarahI guess, maybe, oh I don’t know.

Shane is still taken aback by the news, “WowI mean Dana who works out and eats healthier than any of us and sheshe has cancer?”

“I know. I can’t believe it either.” I stare at the wall across from me.

“Alice, are you ok? I know you have had your fair issue of problems with Dane in the past months, but you guysI mean she told you before anyone else it seems.” Shane moves to the coffee table to move my glare from the wall.

I shake my head, “Shane, I’m fine. Really, its not different than if you needed me. Friends are there for one another in times of need, right? Before Dana and I went down the relationship path, we were friends. I mean, Dana and I are friends”