Shane ”So what are you suggesting?”

Marina ”We need to be a little more mindful.”

Shane ”Okay, but…I don’t really know what that means when it comes to Dana.”

Marina ”What it means is that yes…she can be very funny…very engaging.  However, when she is pain like she is at this moment, we, all of us need to be more mindful of that.  Taking humor in her discomfort is only going to prolong her situation.  I am concerned that it will only make things worse.”

Shane ”…What happened, exactly?”

Marina ”She broke up with Lara.”

Shane ”Yeah, kinda figured that much.”

Marina ”She’s upset that her apologies for…as she put it, ’chasing her away,’ have gone unanswered.  I can only imagine the pressure she is under.  Trying to keep this side of herself so secret it destroys what happiness she is able to attain.  Dealing with a public life that clashes with who she really is.  I do not envy her.  The last thing she needs, Shane is for any of us to make light of it.  She has come a long way from when we first met her.  She still has so far to go.  She needs our support.”

Shane ”Dude…she has it.  You know we all love her.  We all kid her.  It’s what we do.”

Marina ”Take a look at her, Shane.”

Marina and Shane look over at the now sleeping Dana and Alice.

Marina ”She was drinking, crying, and alone earlier.  There was no one there when she needed that support.  As strange as it may be to realize it, we are our support structure for one another.  We take care of one another.  We look out for one another.  There cannot be an allowance for suffering alone.  When that occurs, it means we are not staying to true to one another.  I imagine if ’Lisa’ is not here then Alice’s evening may not have gone so well, either.  I…must be off.  I have things to attend to before Francesca arrives.”

Shane ”She’s on her way?”

Marina ”Yes.  I am going to make sure that things are pleasant for her as she returns.  I am asking you to look after Alice and Dana.”

Shane ”Wait…so Lara hasn’t returned any of her calls?”

Marina ”No.  If that continues, it will only worsen things.  Dana needs reassurance that things will turn out for the better.  At the moment, she has no reason to feel that they will with Lara willingly ignoring her.  Good night.”

Marina departs as Shane looks back at the sleeping Alice and Dana.  She takes a seat nearby, thinking about Marina’s words.  She thinks about Dana’s situation, trying her best to understand it and wondering if there really is anything that can be done about it.