Al stepped into the shower and washed her hair, her thoughts drifting lazily back to this morning’s lovemaking. Her entire body tingled with the memories. It was their first time since the night before Dana’s surgery. Alice snapped from her reverie as the fear of losing Dana crept over her. Every bit of her joy was matched, in equal parts, with a deeply rooted terror that the cancer would win. Her tears falling freely, Alice held in her wrenching sobs as she whispered the only words she could manage.

“Please. Please. Please,” she begged as she sank into the corner of the tub. “Don’t take her. Please, dear God. Please. Please. Please.”

Reaching into herself, Alice fought the panic, regaining the control she needed to be there for Dana. Pulling herself up, she stepped from the shower, none too soon as it turned out. Dana came in while she was drying herself.

“Did you leave any hot water?” Dana asked as she took another towel and began massaging Alice’s hair. Alice didn’t trust her voice, so she nodded and reached back to turn on the shower.

“Thank you, baby.” Dana stripped off her shirt and sweats and stepped in. Until very recently, they had showered together so that Alice could help with the areas Dana couldn’t reach. Alice realized that she’d become very comfortable with Dana’s scars, having seen them on a daily basis for months. In fact, she’d seen them far more often than Dana herself, which explained why Dana was nervous about exposing herself while they made love. Alice couldn’t help but wonder why this insight came so belatedly.

Dana couldn’t keep her hands off Alice as they drove to The Planet. She was radiant, dressed in low-riding black pinstripe slacks and a white cropped blouse, with a black and white silk scarf swaddled around her head. Alice wanted to ravish her on the spot, but knew they’d never get there if she gave in.

Angelica screamed her delight as she spotted Dana walking toward her. Bette and Tina hugged them hello and motioned Dana to take her place next to Angel’s portable high chair.

“We’ll never get any peace if you sit anywhere else,” Tina said. “I wish I knew your secret.”

“It’s no secret,” Dana grinned, looking up from kissing Angelica’s cherubic cheek. “Your daughter just happens to have great taste in friends.” She turned back to the baby.