The doctors and nurses raced into the room with the crash cart and immediately started working on Shane. Her body jumped repeatedly until she finally responded to their attempts to revive her. A kind nurse slipped out of the room to inform Alice and Dana that Shane had crashed again, and although she was still alive, she was now in a coma.

No way! Dana and Alice spoke almost simultaneously. What the ***** is going on? They clung to each other as the nurse tried to comfort them. I thought she was fine? Alice was trying to choke her tears back while Danas flowed freely.

I dont know the specifics and I wish I did, the nurse rubbed Alices arm. I, we thought she was making progress, but something keeps holding her back, the nurse looked at her watch. Look, I have to get back in the room. Let your other friends know whats going on and Ill check back as soon as I can or when I hear something, she informed and walked away from the two.

Dana and Alice held each other tightly and cried shamelessly on each other. The back and forth of Shanes condition was too much to bear and they didnt know where Bette and Tina were to tell that what happened.

Im scared Al, Dana eased out of Alices arms. What if, she paused at her thought. What if she, she dies? Tears welled in Danas eyes again.

Oh, God no! No way! I cant. I wont let myself think that, Alice shook her head. We need to find them two. Alice reached in her pocket for her cell as she started walking toward the door with Dana in tow.

****

Bette and Tina were in the alley trying to recompose themselves before going back in to check on Shane, as well as Dana and Alice. They kept getting caught up in each other instead of making sure they were holding up under the pressure. Tina knew she wasnt holding it together, but put on a great front to help everyone else stay afloat. The confusion between she and Bette wasnt helping matters either and she was trying not to think of anything other than what Bette asked her. She was at a loss for words. She knew the answer to the question, but the way Bette asked it made it sound like shed never heard anyone ask it before.

Tina? Bette asked gently realizing Tina not give her the answer she hoped to hear. T? She asked again.

Huh? Yeah! Uhm, Im here, Tina struggled to gather her thoughts and herself.

Are you okay?

Yeah, just getting myself together, Tina fixed her clothes and slowly turned to face Bette. The look in her eyes was sad and mournful. Bette felt uneasy.

Yes, Tina spoke, almost sounding exasperated. Bette now looked as uneasy as she felt.
Yes? You dont exactly sound sure T, Bette nudged Tina softly.

Yes, I do love you. That was never in doubt was it? Its obvious how Ive reacted to you isnt it? Tina asked, now walking slightly in front of Bette. Why are you even asking me that Bette?

Bette grabbed Tinas arm to make her stop. She wanted to make sure they were on the same page when she answered her.

Look, I know it hasnt been easy to know or understand how I feel, Bette wrung her hands nervously. I know I havent exactly made that easy for you, but Tina, never once did I stop loving you. I just stopped showing you how much I love you, Bette looked intently in Tinas eyes.

Got that right! Tina unintentionally spoke out loud and realized it after seeing Bettes wounded expression. Im sorry, I didnt mean to, Tina tried to clean up.

Bettes nerves were getting the best of her and she started walking again.

No, its okay, I know its not easy for you.

No, its not, but I never stopped loving you and that hurts almost as much as what you did, Tina admitted sadly.

Oh God, Tina, I wish I could erase the pain Ive caused you, Bette replied, gently rubbing her hand against Tinas.

******

Listen to me dammit! Alice screamed into the phone. No, it doesnt matter how I got your ***** number, Alice continued her berating. What matters is that Shane is in the ***** hospital, in a goddamn coma, needs all the help she can get, Alice was throwing her arms around erratically.

Dana was trying to hold onto Alice and make her stand still, but she was fighting a losing battle, so she opted to sit on the wall until she was done.

Yes, you ***** moron, I said, shes in the hospital in a ***** coma, Alice kept walking and waving her arms around. Look, I want you to stop being so goddamn selfish, get off your ***** bikini-waxed ***** and get over here. Yes, Im ***** serious. I dont give a rats ***** about your ***** husband and Im sure you dont either thats why you were ***** Shane, Alices words fired out like cannonballs. Yes, were here now and plan to be for as long as it takes. My number should be on your caller ID, make sure you use it. Yeah, bye, Alice slammed the phone shut and collapsed to the ground and Dana ran to check on her.

Al? Al? Are you okay? What happened? Who was that?

Alices face was flushed, her eyes were almost bloodshot, and she was shaking hard. Dana was upset for Alice and cuddled her close to her chest. Bette and Tina came into view and Dana pulled Alice to her feet.

Whats going on? Bette asked looking back and forth between Dana and Alice.

Dana, is Alice okay? What happened? You both look a mess, Tina hugged Dana and Alice.

Sha, Shanes, Dana stuttered, not wanting to repeat the nurses words. Shes, shes

She crashed again and now shes in a ***** coma, Alice jumped in and burst into hysterical tears. Tina held her and stroked her head to calm her down.

Bette looked at Dana for more answers trying not to cry, but it was no use. She too began to cry and soon the four stood in the lot holding each other and crying uncontrollably.

****

The doctors and nurses were still rallying around Shanes bed hooking her up to machines, attaching monitors, and writing in their charts. As one nurse left, another came in. The nurse went into the waiting room to find Dana and Alice. She left word with the desk nurse to tell them to see her as soon as they returned then she returned to Shanes room. After the doctors and nurses finished all their work, they left the room, except for one nurse who was wiping Shanes face and applying Vaseline to her lips. Shane looked pale and gaunt. Her once vibrant, sweet, elfish face now resembled a crack fiend lying helpless in the bed. The nurse stroked Shanes cheek whispering words of comfort that only she could hear. She stayed with Shane for another ten minutes and left the room.

*****

With a sudden burst of energy, Alice pushed herself out of Tinas arms, then turned and ran toward the entrance. Bette, Tina, and Dana looked at each other and ran after Alice.

Al, wait. Wait up, were coming too, they yelled, before catching up with her.

We have to stay here yall, she stopped for a moment to look at them all. Our best friend is lying in there damn near dead and were all so ***** caught up in our own ***** to think that this could be it, she continued looking at each of them in turn. Dana walked to stand beside her. You two have fucked your relationship up cause you stop liking each other. You stopped being friends and got so caught up in being a couple and whatever else that sent Bette off with carpenter chick, Bette and Tina looked down. Tina, youre a great person and I love you like a sister, but youve gotta stand up for yourself. Stop being a ***** martyr. Bette, we go way back and I dont know what happened to you, but you better fix it or youll lose more than youre wife, Alices words pierced Bettes ears. And Dana, Im so glad I finally told you how I feel cause now I see how fragile life really is. Shane lived her life wildly and sometimes unfairly, but she still loved life in spite of the hard ***** shell she wore. Now shes in there stuck to machines.

What exactly are you saying Alice?, Dana asked carefully. I think I know, but I wanna be sure, she squeezed her hand.

I think I know, Tina cut in.

Me too, Bette said softly.

Yeah, you all kinda know, but Im gonna say it so none of you ***** forget, Alice leaned back onto the wall. We have one life to live so we should live it. We cant just merely exist anymore. Life really is too goddamned short and finding love, good friends, and a loving family is hard as *****. We, all of us, have that in each other, but we let all that fucked up ***** get in the way and mess ***** up. Im sick to ***** death of it. Sick, you hear me, sick! Tears were falling from Alices eyes. I called Cherie to tell her what happened, they all looked at her wide-eyed. She needed to know. Coma patients need around the clock attention and I heard that if you talk to them it can help them get out of it quicker. Plus shes part of Shanes hurt that needs healing. We ALL need healing and this may be one ***** of a wake up call for us. Work with me on this.

Shes right, Bette admitted. Weve all got a lesson to learn here. Me especially, but I wont bore you with any of the details, she quickly dismissed. Shane needs our help. Calling Cherie was a good idea.

Why? Dana asked. All she did was hurt her anyway.

Shane doesnt have insurance and charity will only pay for so much, Tina said, truly understanding what Alice had been saying not just about them, but about pulling together for Shane. Cherie has money and can donate some and maybe we can do something at the Planet or Milk to get more. Agree? Everyone nods.

Yes! Alice made the high five gesture.

Good thinking Al, Dana said, kissing Alices cheek.

Okay, now that weve gotten that out of the way, we need to go in and find out whats going on, Bette informed, reaching out for Tinas hand.

Lets go, Tina accepted Bettes hand and Bette took Danas as she took Alices and the four walked into the waiting room.