Bette stepped into the office. A raspy seductive voice was singing a ballad on the CD player. Bette couldnt make out the words, but the emotion in the voice sounded a bit tortured. She stood quietly, making sure not to interrupt. She looked over at the woman who was sitting on the windowsill, one leg swinging back and forth. So this must be the girl who started the shallow conversation. The girl was pretty, her eyes were closed for a moment as she listened to the song and then they opened and she gazed out the window.

Kit stopped the music.

Well, you guys are pretty good. A little hard for my taste, but maybe I can make some type of punk rock night or something. Kit was smiling at Andie.

Very cool, we could use the exposure. We can also play other types of music if our sound isnt what you were looking for. That CD is just the one where we did all the writing and everything; its kind of our baby. Hopefully, when I get a job it wont interfere with anything. Andie said.
Well, Im all about singing what makes you happy, so if singing whats on that CD makes you happy, then we can do something for you here. We can also do some other things as well, so you can dabble in other types of music. Kit said as she saw Bette and walked to her, hugging her then turned towards Andie. Bette this is Andie. Andies band is going to play here for a while, shes also Alices good friend. Andie this is Bette my baby sister.

Andie hopped off of the windowsill and shook Bettes hand.

Very nice to meet you, Bette. Andie smiled politely.

You, too. Youre music isnt too bad. Bette grinned.

Andie laughed, Thanks.

I didnt mean to interrupt but it is swamped out there and I was gonna grab an apron and help. Bette spoke.

Kit sighed, God I swear and then she stopped as if to think of something, Andie do you want a job that doesnt pay well, but wont interfere with your band?

Andie grinned and laughed, Where are those aprons?


Andie was serving a table and leaned forward to flirt innocently with the customers. Bette was moving with grace between people and tables. Both she and Andie were moving quickly through the customers.

Andie had told Alice not to wait for her and that she would bring some of her stuff over later tonight. Alice left to begin one of her articles.

The time went by fast, as the day moved on. Finally, the Planet only had a few customers and they had been helped. Andie and Bette leaned against the counter for a break, watching Kit wipe down tables.

I cant believe we worked five hours. That went so fast. Bette said rubbing her neck, Im not cut out for this work anymore.

Andie smiled, I waitress pretty much everywhere I move. Its not bad for the tips, but it kills your feet and back. What kind of work do you do Bette?

I work at a small art center. The CAC.

That could be an interesting job. Ill be honest I have no clue which gallery you are talking about. They all look the same to me. You get to see so many different pieces of art, I bet. Andie talked as she kept one eye on the door in case customers came in.

Yes, it fulfills my passion for art.
Andie could tell that was the only perk to Bettes job.

So youre Tinas wife, right? I met her earlier, she seemed really nice. Andie said politely.

Shes soon to be my ex wife. Bette simply left it at that. Andie nodded in understanding.

Well, I have to get going. Im moving my stuff to Alices for a while. Andie started to untie the black apron. All of my band mates have fam here, they are so lucky.

Well, if you ever want to hang out or sight see let me know. It was nice meeting you, Andie. Bette patted her shoulder and went to check on the customers that were still there.

Andie hung up the apron and walked over to Kit.

Thank you so much! You saved me and did an amazing job! Kit sighed in relief, So you still want the job? Youd be working about 30 or more hours a week during the morning shift. Youll have plenty of time for your band then.

Well, I got to start somewhere right? So yeah, Ill take the job. Andie smiled.

Great come in tomorrow at 7 am. So get some sleep. Andie laughed and hugged Kit then walked out.

As she walked a few blocks to her car, she stopped at a musical instrument store. She looked up at the midnight black guitar that was hanging in the window. She couldnt take her eyes off of it for a while, but then suddenly she saw two women in the reflection of the window, one of them being Shane. Soon she saw that it was a hair salon behind her Lather was the name of the place. She remembered Alice saying something about Lather. Andie turned and smiled slightly, but soon she lost her smile when she realized Shane was arguing with a young blonde. Shane walked quickly to the side of the salon in an alley; the girl followed her, continuing to yell.

The blondes voice kept getting louder and louder. To Andies surprise Shanes voice raised a bit and she was pacing back and forth. Andie heard Shane yell for the girl to leave or. Andie couldnt understand what she said after Shane had asked her to leave. The blonde was obviously younger than Shane. They kept talking, but Andie couldnt hear them.
I should just go, this is none of my business. Andie said to herself, but just as Andie started walking away, she saw the blonde shove Shane and yell for Shane to listen to her. That was dumb of her. Andie thought.

She moved quickly to the other side of street where the two women were and walked slowly to catch her breath, she stood hidden, but could hear everything.

I was in love with you and you fucked my mother. How could you do this to us? US you and me! We were so good together. Cant you see that? The blonde screamed, you could tell that she was holding back tears.

Clea, I want you to listen to me very closely. WE WERE NEVER TOGETHER. Your father asked me to hang out with you and talk you into going to France with your mom. I dont get where you got all of these. thoughts. Shane was angry, but putting on the front of being calm. Just as Andie started to walk around the corner to try and distract things. She heard footsteps running down the alley.

Clea! Shane yelled after her. For a few minutes Shane was silent letting the occasional curse escape her lips.

A convertible pulled into the alley. Andie made sure to pretend to stare at the store window by the alley. God, Im so stupid, Im looking at window for a paint shop. Andie heard a car door open and slam closed. It was silent and Andie thought Shane had left. Then she heard.

Hello, Cherie. Shane said almost inaudible.

Which way did she go, Shane? Cherie was not very polite.

She went that way. Listen I Shane started to say.

We know that she ran away to be with you. So dont even lie to me. We got the letters that had your address as the return address. I know you play with a lot of girls, but the funny thing is unlike your trashy one-night stand whores. I figured you out. Cheries voice was thick with venom and jealously, Andie could tell. She almost felt the last loose stitches that held Shanes heart together ripping out.

Shanes voice stayed quiet, but it shook with emotion. Clea did not run to me. Ive never touched her. Ive never told her that I loved her or that she and I were going to be together. I NEVER told her any of that. I would never do that and YOU know that.

I know all of the women that you have been with, including me, I find it hard to believe that you werent making passes at my daughter or leading her on. I was stupid to ***** up my life, my husband and my child.

Andies fists clenched tightly as she bit her lip hard, listening.

You said you had this crazy idea that we would some how be together and…and… Cherie opened her car door. But I dont associate with trash and whatever I felt for you is now gone because thats what you are. trash. Im trash too, just for falling for all of the bull *****.

Andie waited for the car door to shut and the car to speed out, but it didnt. Andie continued to clench and unclench her fists.

You have to forget us now. So I, Clea and you can stop hurting. Cherie said. I am sorry, Shane.

All Andie could hear were a soft okay from Shane and then she heard the car door shut and the car drive away. Andie leaned against the wall; she heard a sniffling sound and then a full heart broken sob. Andie blinked and looked around the corner. Shane has sitting down on the concrete, hugging her legs to her body. Her face was buried into her knees. Her whole body was shaking as she sobbed. Andie unclenched her fists and felt her own eyes mist over. She walked carefully towards Shane, but Shane did not move or stop crying. Andie squatted beside her and let a hand carefully caress the back of her head. Shane looked up for a moment and noticed Andie for the first time. She started to say something, but Andie slipped to her knees and kept a reassuring hand on her arm. After struggling to keep her composure, suddenly, Shane collapsed onto Andies lap and hugged Andies thighs tight. The beautiful brunette continued to cry. They sat like that for a very long time; Shane sobbing into Andies lap, while Andie just cradled her and said nothing.