Alice: “The earring chick! The one who kept calling you Miss Porter?? The one you said was

Bette: “ALICE!” Bette interrupted

Alice: “Oh come on Bette, don’t do this to me,” she said in disbelief “Your ill, I know it. You’ve over-extended yourself with this gallery opening and now it’s caught up with you. How much did you have to drink last night? Did you drive home???”

Bette: “Slow down Al, by the way the last time I checked this was MY life I was dealing with. Yes, she is theearring chick. I am NOT ill or OVER-EXTENDED, thank you very much. And I only had ONE glass of wine, so yes I drove myself home.”

Alice: “Yes, it is your life Bette, but it is US who help pick up the pieces if you get your heart broken. And Betteyou will with this one. She’s engaged remember?? Straight, religious if I remember right, Republican!!! and involved with a man.”

Bette: “If I get my heartbroken, like you have a few times ALICE, I will have lived and learned. Besides one should experience heartbreak at least one in their life right? You’re wrong about her, she’s not “technically” engaged yet. She may be straight now, but so were manyshe said with a devious smile and it was herit was Eric who was a Christian/Republican, not Tina. That is why he went homealone last night. He doesn’t seem to be able to accept that Tina is a liberal. And as far as the earring goes wellread this and tell me she’s not interested.”

Bette produced a small piece of paper and unfolded it laying it on the table in front of them. They read it carefully and sit back in their chairs staring at Bette who was waiting for a response. No one was feeling brave so it was Bette who spoke first

Bette: “Wellwhat do you have to say now?”

Alice: “Bette?” she said cautiously “She wants to be yourfriend.”

Bette: “And?”

Shane: “What I think Alice is trying to say here is maybe you are misinterpreting this note. She sounded very much like she needed someone to talk to.”

Alice: “Exactly”