Number three is so soft, is such a strange number. So many possibilities, not just one, not even two, there is always the back up three. Three, my lucky number…

Alice was playing with the sugar that was on the table. She was drawing with it, letting her mind wonder, thinking.Number three has always been her favourite number, even now, after all those years, if anyone asked her what her favourite number was, three was the first one to come to her mind, and she still wasnt sure why. She was sure she hated number two, one wasnt so bad, four she didnt like much either and five was always a friendly one.

A sudden sound brought her back to reality making her to look up, finding Helen walking towards her.

Do you mind Helen asked, stopping at Alices side, smiling.

Shaking her head, Alice offered the empty chair at her table.

Sighing deeply Lady Penelope let her body fell on the chair.Softly, lightly. Not only the gesture but the sound made Alice looked back at her as she was cleaning the messy table, removing the sugar that was all over the empty coffee mug.

You ok? Asked Alice, always the reporter, curious about the tired look on the beautiful woman in front of her.

Yes answered Helen, smiling at Greta who nodding, was offering from the counter her usual breakfast beverage, just tired she added, looking back to Alice.

Yeah , I know the feeling nodded Alice, not sure what else to say, realizing it was the first time she was alone with the aristocrat.

Where is everybody? Nonchalantly asked Helen, looking in her purse, trying to find her cell.

Tina you mean?Asked Alice, the words escaping her lips before her mind could stop them.

Helen, not showing any emotions, moved lightly, and with an infinite elegance took her purse again and, easily this time, she grabbed a cigarette packet. Mute, as if all her senses where in the task in hand, she lighted the cigarette slowly, enjoying the first taste of it, leaving Alice with many doubts, hating each and every second Helen took before turning to look at her.
Resting her beautiful eyes on Alices, leaning back on the chair, letting her long arms show all her easiness, her confidence as Alice has never seen before, Helen answered,

“You dont like me much, do you? It wasnt a question as much as a statement. Helen held Alices look, daring her, smiing with such elegance and confidence that Alice looked around.

She knew what she wanted to say but wasnt sure if to say it or not. For the first time she took a few seconds before answering. Waving at Mr Gorgerous, ordering another drink she leaned on the table, and looking back at Helen she whispered,

I like you, I like you a lot (Alice waited, wanting to see Helens reaction to her words, but seeing that there were none, she continued, not as confident as before), am just not sure about you

Nodding, quietly enjoying the cigarette, Helen let the smoke clear the light tension that was hugging them.

Ask me she said, her words soft but firm, confident.

What? asked Alice, confused, hating Helens confidence but feeling her inmense charm and beauty. Noticing her hair falling down over her shoulders, how her long thin fingers were holding the cigarette, how her lips were caressing it softly, seductively, she got lost again hearing Helens next words

Ask me.. , or tell me your doubts Helen said, taking a sip from her tea.

You like Tina, you are still in love with her Alice said, feeling the words escaping her lips, full of doubts, hope and regret. Regret from knowing it, because she really liked Helen and because she hated knowing that she liked Tina.

Helen looked at Alice without showing any emotions for a few seconds before leaning on the table, moving closer, letting a light sigh escaping her lips.

I do she whispered, holding Alices stare, meaning every word, tasting the sad meaning of them.

You do? Asked Alice, amazed by Helens honesty.

Taking another sip from her tea, Helen studied Alices face for a few minutes before opening her mouth again.

I know you love Bette, and I love you love Tina too, and because you do am going to tell you something even when I dont have to Helen said, looking at Alice in the eyes, then shaking her head lightly, as if trying to erase not wanted thoughts from her mind she looked a way for a few seconds..
Alice looking at her waited, knowing from Helens face that there was more to come.

Am not sure I want this to be known, and I know is a risk, and from what Ive heard I know you cant be trust Helen words were filling Alices mind with tempting secrets, something she was unable to reject. Nodding, she smiled, appreciating Helens joke, looking at her with encouraging eyes, she waited for Helen to continue.

Helen, taking courage from those extra seconds drew on Alices smile moved her eyes from Alices eyes to her purse taking a small velvet notebook out of it. Opening it she let the pages show all the pictures that were hidding, kept between them.

Alice, onfused, moved a bit closer, not sure what Helen was showing her. Helen, noticing Alices confusion offered her the small notebook with all the pictures hiding in between its pages.

Alice, carefully taking the notebook let the pictures that were falling off the book to show her Helen secrets.

With the first one she didnt know what to think, but then, as the second one was emerging from under the notebook shelter, Alices mind put two plus two and she felt her mouth became dry as her eye moved, looking for Helens, searching from a confirmation.

Helen, leaning back on the chair was studying Alices reactions, waiting, trying to read what Alices face was trying to hide.

Alice, looking at the pictures, taking all of them in her hands studied them and then, after seeing them over and over again, looked back at Helen, smiling.Knowing the whole meaning, guessing the story behind it, dying to hear it from Helen .

Wow Alice said, speechless, nodding, unable to hide the silly smile from her face, still showing the amazement.

A big smile appeared on Helens face as she looked at Alice, nodding too, showing all the pride, all the happiness that those pictures were hiding.

I.., I dont know what to say finally said Alice, putting the pictures back in Helens notebook.

I hope these explain some of your doubts said Helen, taking the notebook, placing it in her purse.

You nuts? Now I have too many answers and not enough questions

Helen, nodding, turned to look at the door as the sound coming from the street was filling the place. Dana and Shane were entering, laughing.

Those questions will have to be answer another time whispered Helen, smiling at Dana and Shane as they were reaching the table.

You must be kidding said Alice, not even looking at Dana who was getting closer.

Helen, turned to look at Alice, and with a serious tone that left no doubt of her intentions said,

I hope you will know how to keep my small secret

Alice, realizing Dana and Shanes proximity, leaned closer and whispering added,

Will you just tell me something else?

Helen, withput hearing what was in Alicesmind just needed a few seconds to know what she meant
Smiling, she nodded, leaning closer to Alices ear, whispering,

Alice, listening to Helen words, unnabe to hide what those words meant was trying not to look at Dana or Shane, wanting some time to compose herself before greeting them.

You must be kidding me she said, moving apart from Helen, looking at her in the eyes.

Shaking her head, Helen moved her eyes, greeting Dana and Shane with a bright smile.

What, what are you two whispering? Asked a smiling Dana, taking the empty seat while Shane grabbed a chair from another table.

Nah, just some numbers Dane, you should buy art, from what Helen just told me is the best investment Alice nonchalantly said, taking her coffee as if nothing was burning her inside, trying not to look at Helen.

***
It was, as expected, raining outside. Bette was pacing the room up and down. It was getting late but she wanted to talk with Tina before heading to bed.
She was checking the time every few minutes, trying to imagine how long would it take for Tina to arrive at home.

She didnt want to call her on the cell, ddnt want to call her while she was driving.

But then, as her lips were drawing a sad smile from the memory of Tina on the wheel, her cell rang.

Hey babe

Tinas laughter filled Bettes tired body. She was still wondering about her anxiousness but hearing Tinas voice calmed her right away.

“Where you holding the cell or what? Tina asked, still showing her amusement.

“Yeah, something like that answered Bette, sighing, feeling her lungs lighter, her body relaxing.

“So how was the flight?, hows London? Tina said, closing the door

“It was fine, everything is fine..London is..Londonrainning what was that?” Bette asked, hearing the noises.

“What?, oh thatwas closing the dooris raining here too Tina said, kicking her shoes off, laying on the couch, letting her body relax, imagining Bette.

So whats the plan? She added.

Plan? Answered Bette, finally letting her body rest,laying on the bed, letting the soft light from the street filled the dark room.

“Yeah (chuckled Tina) when are you going to meet the old lady?

“Oh that, tomorrowI will be pick up at ten, apparently it takes almost two hours to get to the mansion Answered Bette, unbuttoning her slacks, making herself comfortable.

Yeah, I remember mumbled Tina, smiling, thnking about Helens granny.

So, how are you feeling? Asked Bette, bending her arm behind her head, using it as a pillow.

Am great, didnt do much, just run some errands Tina said, sitting on the couch, touching her belly.

Is Shane home? Asked Bette, not sure why as the question escaped her lips without any warning.

Dont know, I guess… I can hear some music coming from the garage. Tina said the words walking to the kitchen, opening the fridge, taking a bottle of milk.

Silence filled the lines, both became quiet, missing each other, letting the memory of the other filled their minds.

As she was pouring herself a glass of milk Tina smiled, remembering.

Bette, hearing Tina, knew she was smiling, just for the light sigh at the end of the line.

What? She asked, whispering.

Nothing, (Tina said shaking her head, looking outside)Its raining so hardI just remembered something

What? Bette whispered, knowing the answer, loving the memory.

That afternoon in Carmel Tina said, her words barely a whisper.letting her mind fly in time