“What is it?”

“A new lover.  You won’t see her coming.  You are lesbian, right?”

“Yes,” Helena said, wondering how a line on her palm could possibly ‘out’ her.

“You won’t see her coming.  You’ll feel something, but you won’t believe it.  You don’t really want her, but you won’t be able to stay away.  You’ll be forced to spend time with her.  This relationship will make you uncomfortable, but if you give yourself over to it, you’ll find ultimate happiness.  You’re going to doubt her motives.  She won’t trust you.”

He held her hand tighter, gripping it inside his own.  Helena stared at her hand.  “Who is it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do I know her already?”

“I suppose.  You have some perceptions of her.  I don’t know if that’s from knowing her or if it’s a stereotypical perception you have about her type.”

“Is it something I should pursue?”

“With all your heart.”

* * * * *

Bette sat in the administrator’s office at the rehab center.  Agatha Benson, a crone of a woman sat behind her desk and listened to Bette who sat across from her with Angelica in her arms.

“This list is far too long.  We aren’t equipped to have people roaming in and out of here all day long.”

Bette knew she’d have problems with this woman.  She had been complaining about everything and Bette could tell that the woman had a problem with Bette being the female partner of her newest patient.  Bette chuckled in annoyance.  “They won’t be roaming around.  We’re talking adults who have fairly busy lives.  They’re taking time out of their very full schedules to come in to help Tina.  My understanding of this center is that emotional and familial support is utmost.”

“It is.  However, these are friends, not family.”

“If Tina could tell you, she would.  They are very much her family.  And Dr. McPherson thinks that these visits will be helpful in her recovery.

“Well, then.  I’ll check with the doctor.  If he chooses to permit a group of…women…”  Agatha Benson said the word women as if she were talking about a pack of disease-plagued rats.

“Pardon me?”