Only Shane and Alice could go. The rest had stricter work schedules and the only reason Bette could go was that Franklin gave her time off to prepare for the trial. Tinas office had two receptionists so she managed to put in vacation hours. Since her Saab was too small for their luggage Bette decided Alices vehicle was more appropriate. She hesitated though because used to being the driver, she was afraid of being carsick all the time. She let Tina pack their stuff while Bette worked like a slave the few days leading up to their trip. She was increasingly putting the load on Tina; Bette was just so caught up in work. However both discussed it before hand and Tina was willing to do a lot of the cooking, washing, dishes, etc. In fact the few days leading up to the trip Bette had been coming home late and half-eating half-sleeping in her dinner, then passing out on the bed and sometimes the couch. More than once Tina had to remove Bettes clothes and put her pajamas on while Bette was asleep. Their ***** life for the two weeks leading up to the trip was non-existent. She apologized for that to Tina while Bettes head nodded in exhaustion.

When the day finally arrived they all got together at Bette and Tinas to figure out finances. Bette wondered why they didnt do it before. Since all were traveling in Alices vehicle it was agreed that each would pay for the gas except Alice. And in return she would pay for most of the food while Bette and Shane split the cost for hotels. By the time all of them piled into the vehicle they were pumped and ready to go. Before she got into the passenger, up front, Bette took three grovel pills and tightened her seat belt. Shane reached over to check out Alices C.D book while Tina looked over the map. They were going to take a circle route and go east then south from the Midwest then up north back to LA. A little too loudly Tina exclaimed that their first sleeping stop was a little town a hundred miles out of LA. Shane finally chose a damn C.D after pouring over it all in concentration and they stuck that in. Unfortunately for Bette, who was flaked out and snoring from the pills, was crudely awaken by the selected song. Alice thought the song was perfect for them.Truckers Atlas by Modest Mouseand all they were singing along as LA grew farther away. Except for Bette who was trying to wipe away the drool stain on her blouse.