Helena chose her words carefully. “I’m not saying that the medical system was not at fault—it was the chemo in the end that actually ended Dana’s life. So there was cause and effect there.  I can’t help but think, however, that it just didn’t have to happen this way. We didn’t need to learn the hard way, as a group of women, that breast cancer can strike any of us. We already know that.  It was a mistake really, not a waste, but a mistake. It would be insulting to her as she journeys to wherever she’s journeying, to say that her death is a waste, or to deny the beauty of this day and of returning her body to the forest and the river. But it didn’t have to happen like this. This wasn’t ‘meant to be’. ‘Meant to be’ is a lie told to us by church leaders and the wealthy, to make us forget the injustice around us.”

Silence filled the car as Helena finished speaking. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled, turning bright red. “I’ll shut up now.”

“No, no, don’t shut up!” Kit turned to look at her. “I was just letting your words sink in.”

“Yeah, I was as well.” Bette spoke up also. “I think we have a mystic in our midst, and a revolutionary.”  

“No, I’m probably not much of a mystic—though I won’t speak to the other point. I just have been doing a lot of thinking.” Helena took a deep breath before continuing. “And Bette, I wanted to say something, if I may. I wanted to say how sorry I am about Tina. If I had known that this would happen with her, I would have cut that idiot Henry off at the knees when I first saw him.”

Kit’s laughter broke any tension that Bette might otherwise have held at Helena’s words. However sincere they were, Bette still had a sore spot where Helena was concerned regarding any mention of Tina.

“Helena,” Kit reached back behind her to pat her knee, “I’m liking you more and more all the time.”

***

Angus was back at Kit’s apartment, having been driven there by Tina after she picked up Angelica. When Bette and Helena dropped Kit off, the three women stood outside with Angus, telling him about the events of the day, before hugging one another for a long time and saying their goodbyes.