“I assume you have been partying with Shane ?”

“That girl can drink “

“She can – she’s always much younger than you “

“What are you saying ?”

“I am saying that Shane has a party reputation for a reason – your reputation is based on events from years ago “

Helena wasn’t even in the mood to argue – she just nodded

“Where have the two of you been and where is she ?”

“I just got back from the Luxor “

“Nice – doing what ?”

“Two exotic dancers “

“Exotic dancers – strippers ?”

“They might have been “

“Exotic dancers are strippers Helena – you have been screwing a couple of strippers”

“Yeah “

“Good were they ?””

“Very – Charman was very good – you two should have tagged along “

“Bette and I had our own fun “

“No way did you two have as much fun as we did”

“I think we did “ Tina said “ Where is Shane ?”

“When I left she was still on the job “

“And another story to enhance the Shane reputation – she out parties you “

Helena sighed “Did Bette says she was getting some coffee ?”

“She will – she’s eating a slice of toast at the breakfast bar and hoping that I cannot see her which I can “

“Still hungry ?”

“She must be – she can eat what she likes within reason. I am glad she’s got all her appetites back “

Helena raised an eyebrow “Plural “

“So you are not that hung over “

“Oh I am “ Helena said “But I noticed the use of the word appetites “

“You and Shane are not the only ones to be getting your jollies “

Helena grinned “ You do look very happy “

“I am  – Bette’s a great lover “

“Christening the expensive sheets “

“We haven’t yet but we will”

“So where have you two been fucking all over ?”

“In cleaner places than where you have “ Tina retorted

Helena chuckled “ I like that the two of you have been together for three years and you still look like you just lost your virginities to one another “

“We don’t look like that “

“Think you will find that you both do “

Tina laughed “You are so full of BS Peabody “

“And you look like you have been very full of one B. Porter”

“I have “

Helena looked at her friend and felt deflated. For all the fun she had been having – all the champagne and the lithe bodies of the strippers – for all the fun would she remember the stripper in a week ? In two weeks ? No. And why ? Because there had only been the briefest of physical connections. In contrast what Tina had with the stunning gallery owner was spiritual –  they had thousands of connections – connections that would last them the rest of their lives. Helena envied Tina- she just glowed with happiness. It was no more than she deserved and Helena wished she knew for sure that one day she would feel the same contentment that Bette and Tina shared.