Previously

~~~
No, DANA. No. Not again. I need to get to work. I do not want be more upset than I already am. OK. No more. Not now. You want to talk later. Come home. Ill be there. You are the one who left. Your call. But I have to get to work and am done dealing with this. She turned and left before Dana could see the tears welling up in her eyes. I love you Al she whispered as Alice left.



~~~

Dana was devastated. I know I did this. But I didnt think it would hurt so badly. She had such anger and hurt in her eyes. Alice hates me. I dont want her to hate me. I need her to love me. I just screwed it up again. She did invite me to come to the house tonight. Maybe Ill just go there and talk to her. I can make her understand. I know I can.

Shane was walking out of the Planet when she saw Dana. She was sitting on a bench across the street with her head in her hands. She looked like she was crying. Shane decided to go see if she was ok.

Dane? You ok?

Dana looked up startled. Oh, Shane, its you. Yeah, Im fine. Thanks.

You sure dont look fine.

I am, really. Thanks

Listen, I know you and Alice said there was nothing up before. But come on. I know something is up. You sure you dont want to talk? If you do, Im here.

Thanks Shane Dana said, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. Its just been a ***** couple of days and I dont know what to do.

Well tell me. I cant help if I dont know whats going on.

Um. Remember youre my friend ok?

Yeah, of course, what are you talking about?

Well, just remember. I sort of, well, I.. biting her lip, she looked down. Shane, I left Al.

You did what?

I left her last night. I just cant do this anymore. Its too much. Shes gonna leave one day. I cant take it. So I left.

You freakin idiot!!!

Hey! Come on, you should understand. You did the same thing to Carmen.

It was not the same thing. And besides, we arent talking about me. Listen Dana. Youre sitting here crying in the park. Apparently, you love her. She why dont you just march on home tonight and tell her you made a huge mistake. Be smart. Alice loves you. You know that. You love her. Its been five years already. If she was going to leave, shed of done it by now.

I cant Shane. I just cant. Tina left after 7 years. So dont tell me that 5 years means forever. It doesnt. Its just I dont deserver her. She deserves so Shane, I cant talk about this ok. Its just too hard. Dana stood up, ready to bolt.

Shane wasnt used to Dana being this open. She just looked at her and grabbed her hands. Listen to me Dana. You dont need to do this. You deserve each other. You love each other. Dont ***** this up. Youre telling me about Tina leaving after seven years, well if Bette hadnt fucked up, Tina wouldnt have gone anywhere.

Do you honestly think Bette is as happy with Robin? You know she isnt. She loves her, sure. But Bette love her like she loved Tina. She’ll never love anyone like that. She doesnt believe in the one anymore. When she lost Tina, she lost that. Dont do that to yourself. Looking at Dana, who just looked lost, she realized, she wasnt getting anywhere. OK, well at least think about it. Ok? Dont ***** it up Dane. Think first. Promise me youll at least think about it.

Yeah. OK. Ill think about it. But Im not promising anything else. Ill think about it. Like Ive been able to think about anything else.

So where are you staying? If you left the house, I mean.

Oh, I stayed at the club last night. Ill just go to a hotel for now.

No, Stay with me. I dont want you to have to stay in some stale hotel.

You sure? Shane nodded. Thanks Shane. I didnt want to be alone. But wait, can Mrs. Piddles come too?

Yeah. Of course you can. Just no, I’m not cleaning any litter. Lets go get you some clothes. Oh and get yourself clubbing clothes. Im meeting Lilly, Bette and Robin out at Milk. Alice won’t be there. She is on a deadline. So youre coming. Dont even bother arguing. Dana just shook her head and said OK. Lets go. I need to get to practice in an hour.

Well, at least I can get out tonight and wallow in alcohol. Its better than sitting alone thinking about Alice.

Alice was sitting at her desk lost in thought. She hadnt finished her story that was due the next day. She was so angry with Dana.

Why did she show up at the Planet? And then ask me to stay? Its just cruel. I know shes hurting and shes confused. But she is the one who made this choice. Not me. She shouldnt be doing this. If this is really what you want Dana then you had better get used to me not being around.

Hey, Alice, youre late. The meeting started five minutes ago, are you coming or what? Her friend called into her office.

*****, um, yeah, Ill be right there. Shaking her head she mumbled This day is just getting better and better.

Alice walked into the conference room and tried to find a seat. But they were all taken so she just leaned against the wall and listened.

and you should all be aware that LA Magazine has been bought. This shouldnt worry anyone. But things are going to start to change. Then Global Corp bought us, they loved our writing and advertising money, but wanted some small changes to the format. So, to do that, we have a new editor. Its my pleasure to introduce Julia Michaels, our new editor in chief.

Alice was rolling her eyes at yet another change, when she looked at the woman standing up to take the floor. She was beautiful. Long, curly dark hair, dark eyes and a face you couldnt find a flaw in if you tried. She was dressed well, cleanly, professionally, yet she wore it well. Not exactly Alices taste, but she could definitely appreciate it on someone else.

Hi, everyone. Im sure Ill be meeting all of you individually over the next few days. For now, I just wanted to say hello and let you all know that together we are going to make LA Magazine even better than it is right now.

I plan on making some changes to our format and some off your assignments. I think we have talent that we arent utilizing and people, who dont have so much talent, showcased. I will be sending all of the writings an email to schedule an interview of sorts, to decide where you are best used. Dont worry. Im not going to be firing people left and right, but we do need to make changes and some people wont make the cut. Thanks to all of you for the hard work that had brought us to where we are and Im looking forward to seeing this magazine go further.

With that the room started to empty out. Alice was speechless. Looking up she started mumbling to herself. What else do you want from me? You have to ***** up my job too!!! Cant I at least escape here? Nono I have to worry about whether or not Ill even have a job after our interview. Great, ***** great, Thanks!

With that, she went back to her desk. Already waiting for her was an email from Julia requesting meeting the next day at 10:00 am, asking that Alice bring two of her favorite pieces to the meeting. What, you cant look at the freakin archives and get my work? With that, she decided she was going to work from home for the rest of the day. She didnt need to sit there and worry. Between Dana and work, she had enough on her mind. And the office was only making it worse right now. As she got up to leave her office she turned and walked into Julia.

Youre Alice right? Alice Pieszecki?

Yeah, um hi. Nice to meet you. She said while extending her hand.

Julia took her hand, Nice to meet you as well. Are you going so where?

Oh, yeah. I was just going to work from home this afternoon. I have a deadline tomorrow morning and its easier to concentrate from there. You know?

Oh, well ok. I heard you were the one to ask to get some information about where to hang out. I just landed yesterday and I cant even think about unpacking yet. I dont know LA too well.

Um, well, welcome I guess. LA isnt too bad once you get used to it and comfortable. What kind of place are you looking for, quiet, loud, dancing, drinking, eating, straight, *****? Im not prying. Just need info to give you some good advice.

Julia looked around a little bit uncomfortably. Well, I guess not crazy loud. I dont know anyone, so somewhere where you can actually hold a conversation would be good. ***** or straight is fine. Im comfortable anywhere. As long as its a relaxed environment. Im not looking to pick anyone up, so I can go anywhere.

I wasnt planning on going out tonight, its been a rough couple of days. But a few friends of mine will be out tonight at a place called Milk. Why dont we go there, I can make some introductions, make sure you have a few people to talk to and then I can head home? Sound ok?

Are you sure? If you dont want to go out, Id feel bad making you go out

But Alice cut her off. Dont worry about it. It gets me out of the house for a while at least. And then my new boss gets a good impression of me. Works all around. I can pick you up at 8:00? Where will you be?

Well, if youre sure, thanks that would be great. Ill still be here. I have a meeting with the editorial staff at 5pm, so Ill still be here. Thanks Alice. Enjoy your afternoon. Julia said as she was walking out of the office.

Maybe I can get on Julias good side, help make sure I have a job tomorrow. And at least I wont be home thinking of Dana.