Even though she would understand why, sometimes understanding just wasn’t enough.

“Ohh, why Bette?”  I would like to introduce Alice, a 30 year old social worker with a tendency to act younger then her charges.  “I want to know now.”  The woman was trying my patience.  Did she really believe I wanted to wait to share the news?

“Hey,”  called Dana, obviously sensing my tension, “leave it Al.”  She warned.  “Act like the grown up your meant to be for once.”

The tension between them could be cut with a knife, and it left me wondering what I had missed out on.  I turned to Shane who was still nursing her broken bones, and lifted my eyebrows in question.  She just grinned in response, waggling her index finger back and forth.  Last time Shane did that was when she was, to quote, “poking her boss.”  Bette assumed that that meant that Alice and Dana…

“You’re fucking kidding me,” I spewed, incredulous.  For years Shane and I had been saying that they were perfect for each other, but Helena had been the voice of reason, pointing out that friendship should transcend the need for sex.  Sometimes I think she tried to see the friendship in relationships, rather then the sexual intimacy.

Helena thought that Xena and Gabrielle were only friends for fucks sake.  I loved her, but I truly believe she is blind.

“What?”  Dana asked, clearly perplexed at my outburst, while Shane splattered in laughter knowing exactly what I was referring too.

I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks, burning in embarrassment.  Shit, how do I get out of this.

“Well… I”  I stammered, lost.  Helena glanced in my direction, before standing and coming over, wanting to know what was happening.

Alice on the other hand started laughing uncontrollably.

“What’s so funny Al?”  Shane questioned, still giggling like a school girl, which in itself was unusual for Shane.  She must be almost as drunk as Alice.  Given the medication she is on, I should really make sure she doesn’t drink anymore.

“Bette cussed, and then you…”  she pointed in Shane’s general direction, “laughed a lot.”  Glancing around the yard, her eyes caught then ever perplexed Dana.  “She is cute you know…  like a little cow.”  Alice continued, completely unaware of the splutters of amusement from everyone but Dana.  “What’s a baby cow called… a cowette?”