Alice almost couldn't believe the summer was over. Just a few months ago, she'd been dreading the summer. But that was when she was on her way to a job she really didn't want to do with people she didn't like. That was when her world, albeit unhappy, was much simpler. That was when she was still trying to convince herself that she was straight. What a difference a summer makes.

They were in the process of loading up Heather's new car, a fully restored VW Thing with (it's actual name apparently). Laurie had been confused by the choice, but Heather convinced her that it was a good buy. They...