Helena arrived and they have a pleasant dinner together. After dinner they sat together on the sofa just talking and enjoying each other company.  Tina knew Helena from college and became best friends since. Tina sipped her wine, tasting the liquor on her tongue as she turned to her friend.

“God, I don’t know what I’ll do without you,” said Tina, her fingers rimming the mouth of the wine glass.

“I love you Tina, of course I’ll always be here for you,” said Helena’s smile glazing at Tina.

“I know you love me.  You’re always honest with me and I love you for that,” said Tina. 

Her expression became serious, she turned, and looked at Helena, “Do you think I should stop seeing Bette?” She asked.

Helena looked pensively at Tina, “Do you think you should?” She asked back with a question.

Tina took a sip of her wine, “I don’t know.  I just want her all to myself.  I can’t stand being without her every day.  Every time she leaves my place, I find myself tearing up…all I can think about is how happy she will be when she’s at home with her husband and kids,” she confessed.

“Then don’t think about it…when she’s with her family she’s there for a reason…and when she’s here with you she’s here for a reason too.”  

“I love her and she loves me,” Tina beamed thinking of the sweet moments between her and Bette. “You must think I’m stupid and immoral,” she said her with a sad grin.

“I don’t agree with what you’re doing. I think it’s wrong but I know you…you’re not an immoral person,” she said with conviction in her voice.

“I tried not to love her…countless times…but I can’t stop myself.  She’s everything I ever wanted in a woman.  I can be her dirty secret until the day I die as long as I have her love,” she said, her sad eyes becoming heavy with tears.

Helena leaned over and took the vulnerable woman in her arms.  Tina held onto her friend as she cried.