At Alices
By the stares of everyone in the room and especially Alice, Jenny realized shed said something terribly wrong. It wasnt that anyone disliked Bette, it was Tinas night and all the attention should have been on her, but with Jenny still coming into herself, she just didnt know protocol.

If you must know, shes fine, Alice snapped, would you want someone asking about Tim in the middle of your celebration? Alice talked while rolling her neck and Jenny looked down.

Alice, its okay, Tina tried to defend. She didnt know she couldnt ask, Tina walked over to Jenny and squeezed her hand to reassure her.

Fine, its your party, Alices said to Tina. But for the rest of the night, its all about Tina okay? Alice spoke into Jennys ear and she nodded.

Okay, now that the tongue lashings are over, Shane devilishly grinned, her mind obviously having gone to another place with her statement. Are we ready to hit the town?

A round of applause and cheers rained throughout the apartment as the ladies grabbed their respective purses and jackets.

Bette
Bette sat on the couch with take out Chinese food containers next to her, as she clicked through the channels. Nothing caught her interest, so she got up and pulled out the bootleg copy of The Notebook, which Kit had given her at lunch. She wasnt really up for watching a love story, but Kit insisted she take it because it was really good and it might inspire Bette to have some patience with Tina. Kit was a helpless romantic and there was no arguing with her anyway, so Bette had taken it.

Bette put the movie in, resumed her position on the couch, and waited for the movie to start. Bette couldnt follow along at first, not understanding why it started in the present, only to go back to the past, but stuck with it because she had nothing else to do. As the movie progressed, Bette feigned disinterest with the movie, scowling at the onset of a new love and how traditional everything was. But as much as Bette wanted to refute its implications of love conquering all, she watched the movie in its entirety without pausing to go to the bathroom. By the time it was over, Bette was in tears and found herself pining for Tina worse than shed ever done during their separation. Her heart ached and she longed for some physical contact and comfort. Bette longed for Tinas company and would do anything to just hold her in her arms even for a few minutes. Bette wasnt used to this much distance and it was killing her slowly.

Once shed finally gotten herself together, Bette got up and put her containers away, poured a glass of wine instead of more soda, and then went to the patio to relax in the cool evening air. Thoughts of Tina, thoughts of their mutual friends, and the many times theyd shared out on the patio rose in her mind; and again she was filled with a heavy feeling of loneliness and emptiness. Bette stared into the sky and watched the stars wishing she could be anywhere but home alone. She finished her wine and decided to go to review the information from Rayne Bryant in order to meet with her as soon as she got into town. Bette then projected that time away from LA might do her some good and help her put everything into better perspective. New York City was always a favorite place of Bettes and with James going with her; she could have the best of both worlds. Time away to think, but not be lonely while there even though being in Raynes company would be anything but lonely.

Bette was halfway through her work when the phone rang. She didnt recognize the number and answered the phone cautiously.

Hello? Bette waited for the voice to speak. No, not really. Yes. Alright. Uh, huh. Okay, thanks, Bette looked at the phone not fully understanding what was going on, but went to change her clothes and left the house feeling a mlange of adrenaline and trepidation.

Girls Night Out
The girls arrived in Santa Monica revved up and ready to party hard. Alice was in full swing and her energy was enough for everyone. Tina had to hold her hand tightly so she didnt get swept away in her own current.

Tina, this is so much fun, Alice beamed. Im glad you suggested we not go to the usual places. This is soooo much better, Alice, joked in her valley girl diction making everyone laugh.

The ladies merged on an open table in a colorful, but dimly lit club called Ma Brennens Bordello. It wasnt really a bordello; it more resembled a saloon from the western era, and boasted two levels, with VIP rooms on both floors. It had a wrap around bar, stocked with every liquor imaginable, a large dance floor commanded the center of the room, and two small lounge areas off to the side and near the back. Ma Brennans also had a full service kitchen, which served food until 2:00am, much to Danas delight because hanging with the girls was the only time she was allowed to eat junk food.

A pretty, artificially blonde, who could have easily been mistaken for Jenny with light hair sashayed over to the table ready to take their drink order. All eyes were on here as she arrived and she immediately felt like she was naked.

Uhh, uhm, she cleared her throat to break the stares. My name in Mandy, what can I get you girls? She politely asked, in spite of the continued gawking.

A camera, Dana quickly shot back, making Mandy look at her strange.

You look like a blonde version of her, Shane pointed to Jenny who was still awe struck at the uncanny resemblance.

Mandy stared back at Jenny and with the exception of the eye color saw the stark similarities in their looks.

Hey, my cell has a camera in it, Alice chimed in, reaching in her pocket for the phone. Almost forget about that. Ive only had the phone for day or so, Alice toyed with it.

Stand next to her, Tina coaxed, and Mandy stood next to Jenny so Alice could take the picture.

There you go, Alice showed the picture to everyone. Jenny has a twin. She was separated at birth, Alice teased.

Mandy giggled nervously as if it could have been the truth before she resumed her previous stance pen in hand and ready to write their drink orders down.

A round of Tequila shots, Shane went first, and Ill take a Corona.

Ill have the same, Dana followed.

Uhm, Jenny thought, just give me the same cause I cant think of anything else right now.

Ill take a cosmo, Tina said.

Merlot for me, Marina spoke.

Hmm, so many choices, so little time, Alice looked over the drink specials.

Hurry, Im thirsty, Shane protested.

Okay, okay. Ill take a Sugar Mama, Alice finally ordered and Mandy walked away.

What the ***** is a Sugar Mama? Dana and Tina asked in unison, pulling the drink menu toward them A twist to the original margarita, but with less sour mix and mixed with simple syrup, and sugar around the rim, Tina read. Sounds strange, but it might be good once you taste it, she finished.

I wanna go walk around, Dana stated, as she surveyed the club. It looks really interesting.

We can once the drinks come, Alice said in a motherly way.

Mandy returned five minutes later with a tray full of drinks. Here you are ladies, Mandy put the shots in the middle and slid everyones drinks to them. Wanna run a tab?

Yeah, thatll be great, Shane agreed, readying herself for the shot.

Oh, first round of shots is on me for bringing my long, lost twin in, Mandy joked and walked away.

Shes bucking for a nice tip, Alice laughed.

To Tina, Shane raised her shot glass.

To Tina, everyone else said, and downed their shots.

After finishing their first round of drinks, they ordered more and as agreed, the girls walked around the club checking out the VIP rooms, the side lounges, and the gaming area that could not be scene from where they had been seated. Ma Brennens Bordello was definitely what the doctor ordered for a night out. The music was great, the drinks were priced right and mixed perfectly, and there were plenty of attractive women to choose from. Shane soon found herself paired up with a petite, Asian girl with a tattoo that ran down the middle of her back. Alice found herself being courted by a fairly tall woman with the complexion of cappuccino. Alice tried to avoid the womans advances until Tina pushed her off telling her to have a good time. Jenny and Marina were playing cat and mouse until they found themselves attracted to the same woman and Marina took it as a sign that they (she and Jenny) should just get together instead of going off with a stranger. Dana returned from the bathroom wearing a grin to rival the cat that eat the canary and was intercepted by an equally athletically built cutie on her way back to girls. And that left Tina alone to watch her friends.

Tina watched as her friends danced and made out with their new dates. She rocked gently to the music as she sipped her drink, which she almost dropped when a beautiful woman about her height, with deep brown seductive eyes, long bouncy curled hair, and a smile that could warm the coldest heart tapped her shoulder.

Care to dance, the mysterious woman asked sweetly.

Uhm, yeah, no, uhm, I dont know, Tina stuttered and babbled making the woman giggle.

Are you okay? the woman asked.

Im sorry, Tina blushed. Yes, Im fine. You just caught me off guard, Tina said, looking at the woman and trying not to stare.

I didnt mean to startle you, the woman replied. You seemed to be enjoying the music, but had no dance partner, she continued, as she eyed Tina up and down.

“I’m new to being single, so please forgive my lack of social abilities,” Tina awkwardly confessed.

Tina felt a warm sensation rise in her loins that both scared and excited her. She hadn’t been attracted to anyone since Bette and the feeling was so overwhelming and stimulating that she was having a hard time deciphering, which shed rather feel. The woman sensed Tinas reaction toward her and felt herself returning the body language in kind.

Im Nya, the woman introduced herself to cool the heat rising between them.

Hi Nya. Im Tina, Tina extended her hand.

Well, now weve got that out of the way, would you like to dance with me now? Nya asked.

Tina was still caught between feeling fear and excitement, and just when she was about to open her mouth Alice and her date walked up.

Hey Tina, whos ya friend? Alice looked Nya up and down, smiled, and winked at Tina.

Alice this is Nya, Nya Alice, Tina made the introductions.

Oh and this is Carla, Alice introduced her date and the women stood in silence eying each other.

Get Right by Jennifer Lopez came blaring through the speakers and Alice immediately started gyrating to the thumping beat. Come on, she grabbed Carlas hand, cant let this one go to waste, Alice yelled over the music and rushed back to the dance floor.

Wanna? Nya asked Tina, and Tina nodded yes. And off the pair went to join Alice and the others.

Bette
Intrigued by the call, Bette was cruising down the highway off to places unknown in search of who knew what. She scanned through the radio stations and stopped on a song whose seductive lyrics oozed through her speakers.

Picture the sky that is how high I reach
So far alive none have been right for me
But your love, is a chance of love to take
With each breathe in me I wake
If it brings you back to me

Because I’m free and in love
I’m the loneliest star from the sun
But I feel that I’m close to than one
It will stop me from becoming undone

Cause I’m free
I have been close
I have been almost real (who do you really want to make it, who do you want to kill)
But city light
But nothing quite like here (who do you really want to be right here)

Your love, (your love) is a life that binds us both, (your love)
With each breathe in me that I hold
We will throw it all away

Don’t you know that I’m free and in love
I’m the loneliest star from the sun
But I feel that I’m close to than one
It will stop me from becoming undone

(With your love), I know that I can be the best with, (With your love), I know that I can take a risk with (With your love), I can fly away love, (With your love, With your love), I feel alone to try and mess with, (With your love), you and I can be possessed with (With your love), I can try for you now (With your love)

Don’t you know that I’m free and in love
I’m the loneliest star from the sun
But I feel that I’m close to than one
It will stop me from becoming undone

Cause I’m free, don’t you know I’m free
Cause I’m free, don’t you know I’m free.

The lyrics said everything Bette was feeling and couldnt say to Tina, the one true love of her life. Bette scribbled the name of the song and the artist down, and pressed on with her drive until she arrived at her yet to be discovered destination.