Sorry.  Sometimes I guess sometimes I don't compartmentalize as good as you

Crying anew, Alice holds on tightly to Bette, her hands clutching the fabric, clutching Bette's back. 

Sometimes I don't either, Alice.  Sometimes I don't either.

Later that evening, at Cream

God, I am stuffed.

You should be Shane, you ate like three loaves of bread.

Shut up, Al.  It was good bread.  I like bread.

It obviously likes you as well Shane, it certainly doesn't mar your girlish figure.

Shane nods, smiling.  She lightly smacks Alice on the arm and sneers.

Thanks, Helena. 

Bette, Alice, Helena, Shane, Jenny and Max. A table at Cream. 

Il Forno is excellent, Alice.  Where did you find it?

I wrote about it.  Top ten Italian hotspots or something like that, I can't remember.

You can't remember?

Alice smiles slyly at Bette.  She winks quickly.

Nope.  Like you Bette, I can't remember every place I go.  I must be getting kind of old.

Bette swallows hard.  She glares at Alice who winks again.

Why thank you Alice, how nice to counter a compliment  ... with a compliment.

Helena frowns.

Yes, Alice.  I was going to say that it was delicious but now I'm not certain that's a good idea.

No worries Helena.  I save my best for Bette.

And me.

Alice nods towards Shane.

And Shane.

A surprisingly comfortable silence ensues.  The waitress, a tall, long-legged woman with dark brown close-cropped hair, deposits drinks all around.

Helena lifts her wine glass.  Everyone hoists theirs, except Bette, who appears to be staring off at something.  Alice taps her gently on the thigh, under the table, nodding in Helena's direction. 

Hmmmm?  Oh.  A toast.

Helena smiles warmly.

To friendship.

They clink glasses, they murmur to friendship.  Helena smiles at Bette.  Bette smiles tentatively back.  Alice peeks over the rim of her margarita at Shane, tipping her head towards Bette.  Shane rolls her eyes.  Jenny smiles dreamily at nothing.  Max sits, his legs spread far apart.  He hitches up his pantleg, he takes another pull off the longneck beer, he shifts and resettles in his chair.

Bette lifts hers again, she looks pointedly at Alice, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

To growing old graciously.

You mean gracefully.

No, Alice, trust me, I meant graciously.

They laugh, except Max.  They talk.

So Bette, how's the show going?

Incredibly complex, for a student showing.  There are so many talented students, so much depth, so much richness among the entries.  I feel fortunate to have such incredible work to choose from, but its tough to choose. 

The waitress brings another round.  Alice raises her glass.

To lawyers!

They all hesitantly raise their glasses.  Bette and Shane look quizzically at Alice.  She takes a long swallow and sets her glass down.

I have an appointment with Dana's lawyers this week.

What for, Alice?

I don't know yet.  I'm getting a little nervous.

Why?

What if they want to sue me?

Her lawyers?

No, her parents.

For what?  What could her parents sue you for?

I don't know Shane.  Maybe they think I made her sicker or something.  I'm sure they think I made her gay.

Oh come on, Alice.  They're kinda uptight, but they're not insane.

Maybe it's something to do with her estate, Alice.

Estate?

Yes, estate.  She was a professional tennis player.  She had endorsement contracts.  She owned a condo, she had assets, probably some significant ones.  What did the attorneys tell you?

Alice cocks her head at Bette, quizzically.