Marina ”I’m sorry you’re hurting.  I don’t wish that feeling on anyone.  You don’t have to go through this alone, either.”

Marina lets go, backing away.

Lara ”Tell her I said  ’congratulations.’”

Marina ”Please…tell her yourself.  She will appreciate that more.”

Marina walks back to Francesca’s car where her girlfriend patiently waits, slightly amused and what she has seen.  Lara opens the door to her car and enters.  Closing the door, she sits for moments before turning the ignition.  Her mind and her heart are racing.  She picks up her cellphone and chooses messages, then Heard Messages, then chooses Play.

Dana’s voice ”Hey…it’s me.  Umm…listen.  I uhhh…I know you’re angry with me.  I know I was stupid and hurt you…I chased you away.  And I don’t care how many times I have to say it, but I’m sorry.  This whole thing…is so fucked up.  I realize you deserve better…and it’s been selfish….to hope that you could come back or even say hi…or return a call.  …If I knew me…I wouldn’t want to, either.  Ummm…I hope you’re able to find what you’re looking for.  I just hope…someday you can forgive me.  For being such a fucking idiot.  *sniff* …I gotta go.  I’m sorry, Lara.”

Lara is presented with the options to either keep or delete the message.  She has kept it for days, with it being the last message received from Dana, afraid to delete it.  Afraid to not hear Dana’s voice call her name again.  Closing her eyes with a tear streaming down her right cheek, Lara chooses to delete the message.

Twat The Night.

The night has arrived.  Alice, Dana, and Shane are there, but not that many more.  Dana explains to Shane her coming out to her parents experience.  Bette and Tina are absent from the experience as they deal with group therapy.  Marina and Francesca however have arrived and they have all gathered at one table to talk.  As they do, Alice suddenly ignores the conversation.  Alice sees her cautiously approaching.  Soon, everyone turns around to see who or what Alice is looking at.

Dana ”Lara…”

Lara stands before them.  Francesca looks at Marina, giving her a slight nudge and smirk.  Dana walks over to Lara, shaking.

Dana ”…I did it.  …I came out.”

Lara ”Congratulations.”

Slowly, they embrace, their right cheeks pressed together.

Lara ”I’m really proud of you.”

Dana ”…I’m sorry.”

Lara ”Shhh…it’s okay.”

Dana lowers her head onto Lara’s right shoulder as everyone else looks on.  Lara sees them, looking at her.  Her emotions are mixed with the comforting of someone she cares about and the feeling of getting those looks from another group of friends some time ago when it came to the relationship between herself and a girl who left her for a trapeze artist.  Lara closes her eyes and for the moment, wishes to ignore them, only focusing on Dana.

”Hey.”

Lara opens her eyes, seeing Alice.

Alice ”Good to see you again.”

Lara ”…Thanks.”