Alice slumps to the side, her head on her arm, mock frustration.

Oh ok, whatever.  You didn't sleep with texture chick.  So

Anyway, she painted with her teeth.

Alice sits up, cocking her head at Bette.

Huh?

She was a quadriplegic.  She held the brush in her teeth and used it against a special tilted canvas.

I don't get it, Bette.

Bettes face reddens.  Shane, Helena and Jenny exchange dazed looks.  Alices face lights up, she points at Bette three times in a staccato motion.

I do!  I get it!  You paint with a paintbrush between your frigging teeth!

Bette looks down.  Helena slips a hand over her mouth. Shane looks down at the floor, strangling a laugh.  Alice doesn't try to contain her giggles.  Even Jenny smirks.  Bette looks back up, indignant.

Oh go on, laugh.

I am halfway to the table.  I see someone who looks like Max, walking towards the table from another direction.  I see Alice throw her head back, I see Jenny wipe her eyes.  I feel tears well up in my throat, in my eyes.  I want them to be happy to see me.  I want a place at that table.

Come on McCutcheon, your turn.

Shane shakes her head, waving her left arm in a chopped gesture.

Come on Shane.

Where is that waitress??  We're running low.

Flag her down Al, more tequila!

I'm not getting you another shot til you spill, Shane.

I am a mere 20 yards from the table.  Alice waves.  I wave back, quickening my step.  I let go of a breath I've been unaware I was holding.  She waves again.  The lighting is dim, she must not have seen me. I raise my hand to wave again.

Ok, ok.  But don't laugh.

They each paste on serious faces.  Helena frowns, Bette squints, Jenny crosses her eyes, Alice curls her tongue under her upper lip.  Max is coming up behind Jenny, a beer in his hand.  Shane clears her throat.  She looks around, unsure.  She clears her throat again.

I - I paint with Bette's teeth.

Shane, Jenny, Helena and Bette erupt in laughter.  Alice sneers, then turns to Shane.

Helena leans back in her chair, laughing, and thats when I see her.  For the first time in almost four months.  My mouth goes dry.  I feel a tingling in my fingers, I twist my neck quickly, as my shoulders hunch from a sudden shiver.  I have too much forward momentum to stop myself.  My feet stutter, I stumble and pitch forward awkwardly the last few feet. 

Shane blinks hard.  She looks at me, sees me.  Jenny is unreadable, as usual.  Helena follows Shanes gaze, her head pulling back slightly in surprise.  Bette is looking at Alice, who has stopped looking at Shane and is slowly turning towards me.  I see Shane mouth the word "fuck".  Bette looks down at the table.  Alice dumbly stretches her hand out to Bette, touching her arm.  Bette finally looks up at me.

A grinning waitress sets shots and drinks down in front of each of them, except Max who waves her off.  His eyes have never left mine.  I am paralyzed in anticipation, in fear, in utter dread.  After an interminable moment, finally it is Helena who speaks.

Tina.