Diane sighed again.  “Well … her husband may have mentioned that I … um … had a meltdown at work.”

“Oh … I’m sorry to hear about that, Diane!” Shane blurted out.

“Yeah … well,” Diane answered quietly, and sat down heavily on her bed.

“Um… do you want to talk about it?” Shane asked after a minute of mutual silence, as they contemplated Diane’s awkward situation.

“With whom, Shane?” Diane asked plaintively.  “No one knows.”

After a pause.  “I don’t even know.  Don’t know what the fuck has happened to this golden life that everyone seems to think that I lead,” she continued, her frustration rising.

“Shhh… shhh, Diane,” Shane answered quietly, trying to mollify Diane.  “We’ll figure something out.”

After a minute, Shane exclaimed, “I’ve got it!”

“You’ve found the magic elixir to what ails me?” Diane asked wearily.

“Better … I think you should talk to Bette,” Shane said excitedly.

“Bette?”

“Uh-huh.  She’s heading to DC today and should be arriving there in plenty of time for dinner.  I’ll go check on where she’s staying, and ask her whether you and her can have dinner together tonight,” Shane explained, and from the tone of her voice, it sounded like she was clapping herself on her back, in self-commendation.

“I don’t know, Shane.  I hardly know her,” Diane answered hesitatingly.  “Besides, she and Tom are good friends, or at least Tom seems to think so.  He gets together with Bette and Logan for lunch sometimes.”

“You can rely on Bette, Diane.  On these things, especially.  More than you can on me, to be honest.  She’s gone through a lot, believe me, and you won’t find anyone better placed to talk and help you think through these things,” Shane responded quickly.  “Umm… maybe apart from Tina.  But, trust me.  Her discretion, judgment, advice – just what you’ll need right now.”

Diane was still unsure as Shane added that she was calling Bette just then, and putting Diane on hold.

How would the beautiful, successful, and somewhat intimidating brunette understand what she was going through now?  How would she understand the deep pain, terrifying confusion, and utter hopelessness she was feeling?  Yes, she seemed to be wholly in love with the woman she was engaged to, but did she know what it felt like for a heart to be filled with trembling at the mere sight of its beloved?