‘It’s fine,’ assured Alexa.  ‘They’re anxious to see you and they’re bound to be curious about me.’

‘I’ll tell them to back off, alright?’ offered Helena.

‘You don’t have to do that, I just hope they don’t hate me.  They seem protective of you as they should be.’

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

A few hours later and several beers and dinner consumed the atmosphere was much more laid back.  Helena winked at Alexa as she glanced her way from across the room, pleased to see that she and Alice seemed to be getting on famously now.

‘Yes I have this radio show,’ said Alice.  ‘It sort of developed out of my magazine work.  It’s about lesbian life in Los Angeles.’

‘That’s so cool,’ enthused Alexa.  ‘I wish there was something like that for me to listen to back home.’

‘Do you have your own place?’ asked Emma, at the mention of home.

‘No I have housemates, 3 other girls to be exact.’

 ‘I lived with two other girls in college, the only problem came when I hooked up with one of them and we broke up and man that was uncomfortable.’

‘Well my friends are straight so I don’t have that issue,’ explained Alexa.

‘All of them are straight?!’ exclaimed Emma. 

‘Yes’

‘I guess that makes things less complicated.  So you have other dyke friends outside the house?’

Helena heard the conversation and stopped her discussion of art with Bette who also tuned in.  ‘No Alice……actually I’m not out.’

‘Oh my god!  It took Dana years to get her act together and tell her parents but at least she had us to talk to.  Have you told any of them?’

‘No,’ answered Alexa, starting to feel uncomfortable as everyone listened in.

‘Why not?  Are they a load of small town homophobes?’

‘No,’ said Alexa defensively.  ‘It’s complicated.  I guess they have a certain perceptions of me.’

‘I hear ya but isn’t there one who you are like closer to than the others?’

Alexa nodded.  ‘Yeah, Rachel, my best friend.’

‘But you still can’t tell her?’

‘Alice!’  Helena interjected.  ‘Don’t be so personal.’

‘Helena..she doesn’t mind me asking, right Alexa?’

‘Um right..look Alice I plan on telling her when I get back, when the time is right.’