When Alice returned to her home in the afternoon having taken care of some errands, she found Tina sitting on the couch, talking on the phone. She wasn’t screaming, or crying, but she wasn’t laughing either. Alice got her attention and tried to find out who Tina was speaking to. They mouthed their words to each other.

Alice: Who is it?

Tina: Bette.

Alice: Are you okay?

Tina nodded and waved Alice to sit down. Tina eventually hung up and explained to Alice the conversation that had taken place. Alice was comforting and supportive, not judgemental for once, since she dearly loved both her friends. She hated having her circle broken, and would do whatever it took to keep the peace. Amazingly, Tina looked to be okay. She went to take a shower after giving Alice a big hug for her kindness in letting her stay for a few days. Although Alice was sure Tina was holding out on her, she didn’t press it.

Alice looked at the clock and panic set in. She remembered that she had a special guest coming round in an hour. Alice was running in all directions like a headless chicken, no idea where to start. “Clean up, get ready, tell Tina… calm the ***** down!” Alice mumbled to herself. Why was she so nervous… it was just Dana… Dana! Alice got the goofiest grin as she pictured the hot and sweaty Dana running around the tennis court in slow motion. “Mmmmmmmm” she purred, her mind fast forwarding to the locker room shower as she peeked around the corner to see Tina… TINA!

Tina shouted down the hallway, shaking Alice from her fantasy state.

Tina: Earth to Alice… where are the towels… over!

Alice: Ohh… sorry umm… here here.

Alice walked briskly to the hall closet and took out a couple of towels, handing them to Tina.

Tina: Thankyou space girl… musta been nice wherever you were, judging from the expression on your face.

Alice blushed and walked away, Tina laughed as she closed the bathroom door to finish drying off.

Alice: Step one… snap out of it!

She said to herself as she started to clean up the kitchen and take out some trash. When it was 2.30pm, Alice looked down at her outfit.

Alice: She’s already seen me in this… wait… she’s already seen me in everything. No Al, this is not an opportunity for a shopping spree.

A little voice in Alice’s head reminded her of the only outfit Dana hasn’t seen her in. Alice dismissed the suggestion, but couldn’t help the sly grin curling the corners of her mouth.

Alice: No I can’t answer the door in my birthday suit… although…

She pictured the expression on Dana’s face if she were to be brave and open the front door naked. Alice laughed out loud at Dana’s eyes bugging out cartoon style. She put the kettle on and regained her focus. Tina came out to the kitchen and sat at the bench, puzzled at Alice’s frantic cleaning efforts.

Tina: What’s going on Alice? Expecting someone?

Alice: Yeah umm… Dana… said she’d come by after practice to say hey.

Tina: Oh great… but you never cleaned up for her before…

Alice blushed and got a couple of cups out to make coffee for them both as she started to explain.

Alice: Tina… it really has been an insane 48 hours. Last night… actually this morning, at around 4am… I ummm… I went to…

Tina: Spit it out Al.

Alice: I went to Dana’s… and I told her not to marry Tonya…

Tina: Why on earth would you do that?

Alice: Well… it’s kinda hard to…

Tina: C’mon now… don’t leave me hanging here girl.

Alice: I couldn’t let her marry Tonya because… cos I want to be with Dana.

The expression on Tina’s face was priceless, jaw dropped and eyes wide as Alice continued.

Alice: I know… who woulda thunk it. But I do… I couldn’t let that woman take her from me.

Tina: Alice, I had no idea…

Alice: I kissed her, Tina…

Tina gasped.

Tina: No way!

Alice: Way… uh-huh… and she seriously kissed me back.

Tina sat in stunned silence for a moment, absorbing the notion of Alice and Dana being a couple. She had known both of them a long time, and always saw them as sisters. The way Alice was the overbearing one, and Dana was the nervous unsure one. How well they complimented each other, and what a wonderful friendship they had underneath it all.

Tina: That’s so great Al… unexpected, but really wonderful. I’m happy for you, and I hope it works out okay.

Alice could see that Tina was sincere, but there was still sadness behind those tortured eyes. Alice had debated telling Tina about it because of the personal wounds she still had, but Alice didn’t want anything to change about the way her and Dana acted, or were treated. And she certainly didn’t want to shock anyone, after all, this was probably the last person Alice was expected to introduce as her new girlfriend.

Alice: Thanks Tina, I just… wasn’t sure when to say it, but we’re just giving it a try. This is pretty new for me, she’s such a good friend, and I don’t wanna mess up our past by ruining the present ya know.

Tina: I know hun, one day at a time… but right now you should go get ready.

With that, Alice gave Tina a big hug and went to her bedroom to change and Tina tidied up the rest of the house. It was 2:55pm and Alice strolled out of her bedroom in a different outfit. As she reached the kitchen her phone rang. It was Dana… Tina could tell from the smile that illuminated Alice’s face.

Alice: Hey you, wassup?

Dana: I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving the country club now, so I’ll be there in about a half hour.

Alice: Okay no problem, see you soon hu… Dana.

Alice changed her words as she saw Tina smirking at her. She hung up the phone and looked at Tina with a sheepish grin.

Alice: I know, I know, yuck huh?

Tina: Quite the opposite… it’s good to see you smiling.


~ to be continued ~