CHAPTER 3

Shane eventually called Alice to make plans for the evening. Alice wanted to know everything about Shane’s mysterious flight form her job earlier and its connection to her “father” who rescued her from the hospital. But the truth is she was willing to let it go as her reflection in her car door distracted her. Alice continued to check herself out in the Mini’s paint job as she convince Shane to meet her at Milk at ten.

Shane: “Al, I don’t know I have to get up early tomorrow…I have a meeting and several errands I have to run.”

Alice: “Look Shane this is more than over due. You can leave by midnight, I won’t bug you to stay longer either… (although it is a Friday night and Romeo never misses a Friday night at Milk)…deal? Besides…since when are you the one who’s focused on her career..That’s Bette’s deal”

Shane: Since it’s they’re the only things I have left… (she thought to herself)

Shane knew deep down this was the beginning of the end. She couldn’t hide her private life forever, and now that Alice was back in her life for all of four hours, she could already feel her investigative mind trying to piece together the bits of info she carelessly let slip. She could feel the anxiety brewing in her stomach as she thought of how she was going to balance her life.

Shane: “Alice I am leaving by midnight no later”

Alice: “Deal” (she crossed er fingers)

Shane rolled her eyes at the phone, she could just picture Alice with her fingers crossed.

Alice: “Shane I look ***** hot! I don’t know how you do it. ”

Shane: “I just picture what I would like to wake up next to and I make it happen”

Alice: “And now the playa is hittin’ on me…and me with fresh pants on!”

Shane smiles while she watches the activities around her and gives instructions with hand signals.

Shane: “Shut up Al!”

Alice: “Ok that’s it Shane where the ***** are you? It sounds like some weird ***** is going on there.”

Shane thought to herself for a moment. She said she would start being honest with her friends if they took her back after the stunt she pulled. She also knew Alice would never believe her anyway.

Shane: “Oh you know typical day for me. Beating the ***** out of street kids and you know volunteering at church… I have to give back to the community eventually.”

Alice: “I though you stopped with the drugs?!?!?”

There was a long pause on the phone. Neither one knew if the other was ok with the images that were running through their minds.

Shane: Say something dammit…If you don’t she’ll be walking on eggshells all night.

Alice: ***** now you’ve done it. She’ll never show up now.

Shane: “It’s ok Al…really…(she sighed into the phone) I really have to get going…its almost time for confession (she said sarcastically)…but I know what you’re thinking….and I will show up.

With that they hung up. Alice banged her head on the roof of the mini, while Shane just looked at her phone. Shane turned around and looked at the group assembled in front of her.

Shane: “Alright guys…good news…I’m cancelling the early morning session tomorrow so you can all sleep in.”

There was a collective cheer from the group, but Shane new deep down they were all disappointed. She had been where they were many years ago and she knew how much they needed her in their lives.