Is everything okay Al, you look a little pale, Bette asked.
Alice simply nodded. She didnt have a clue as to what to do or say.
Son of a *****, she thought, what do I do? What do I do? What do I do? *****, *****, *****, ***** They were walking through the doors; the others making casual small talk. Alice was scanning the restaurant hastily. Please let me have misunderstood. Theres another Versaillesthat serves Cuban food, oh *****, this isnt good.
Hello Alice. Are you with us today? Kit was waving her hand in front of Alices face.
Alice snapped out of it, Oh yeah, Im fine, and then immediately when back to scanning the faces.
The waiter lead the five women to an isolated table, and still Alice hadnt Tinas face in the crowd.
Maybe there really is another restaurant, Alice thought hopefully, or maybe they were here and left already. Alice settled down and began to pick up the conversation.
wants me to do go to the French Open, and possibly the championships in Wimbledon next year, Dana was finishing, beaming.
Thats really great, Dana, Bette said smiling; everyone else echoing Bettes words. She wasnt fooling anyone though; they could all tell Bette was scared shitless about something. The waiter came up and they all put in their drink orders. The chatty table got quiet as they looked over the menu.
Oh man, the arroz con camarones looks really good.
Shane, please speak English, said Dana who was struggling with the menu.
Look, pointed out Alice, trying not to laugh, and turning over Danas menu for her, Theres this little section that shows what everything is.
Dana blushed, she didnt like feeling like a fool, especially in front of Alice. The whole table got quiet once again, and before too long the waiter had returned with all of their drinks.
Are you ready to order ladies?
Shane went first. Ill have the arroz con camarones.
Alice decided to get the same as Shane, and then Kit ordered the slow-roasted garlic chicken. Bette and Dana ended up ordering pollo con arroz amarillo.
So, baby sis, whats all this about? You seem pretty nervous, Kit asked; asking the question on everyone elses mind.
Well, we can wait until after the food gets here. Bette was dodging the question, and everyone around her knew it.
Just then a laugh echoed through the restaurant, coming from someone the ladies couldnt see in a room off to the side.
Bette looked up at the sound of the laugh, Wow but stopped and shook off the feeling that she knew the laugh. Alice however knew whos laugh it was, and her entire insides knotted up. There was nothing she could do though, no point in saying something now. All she could do was keep her fingers crossed that Tinas date would last longer then the gangs meeting.
Shane talked about how work was going. She hadnt told anyone about almost getting her own salon, so there were no awkward questions about what had happened to it. She nearly lost it at the thought of Sherrie, but bit the inside of her lip and managed to keep her cool. She was looking for a way to change the subject when the food appeared and saved her.
Alright, started Kit. Bette rolled her eyes, she knew what was coming. Whats going on baby girl?
Bette picked up her fork, and played with her food for a minute. The girls waited for her to get her nerve up. She took a drink of her tea, and then played with her food for a little bit longer before pushing the plate away. She looked out the window next to them for a while, and finally took a deep breathe and began.
Please, I just want you guys to let me get this all out before you say anything. Agreed?
Bette, honey, we already know youre *****! Its okay we still love you. The table laughed at Alices joke, including Bette, which had been Alices goal. They all agreed not to interrupt in the end though.
First of all, Bette began, I broke up with Candace the other day. She didnt
Oh goodie, Alice interrupted, Yeah no, I never really she fell silent at the looks from everyone, especially the eat ***** and die look from Bette. Sorry, she said, really meaning it, Please go on.
I broke up with Candace the other day, but she was pretty upset at me before I called things off. I dont think you guys are going to be any happier. She took a deep breath and then plowed on. Franklin came to me about a week and a half ago. The board wants me to go investigate some new artists and shows across the country. I would be gone for about three months, traveling and viewing the different shows and interviewing artists.
The protests began at the last sentence
You dont have to travel to interview artists and view artwork
You can still turn him down…
You cant leave everything now
What about Tina
What about me?
The entire table jumped, and turned. Tina was walking out of the back room, with an incredibly gorgeous woman with short dark hair and a dazzling smile.
Tina, Bette breathed.
Alice was slinking down in her seat, as Tina was giving her an extremely confused look.
Zoe, allow me to introduce you to everyone. Tina began pointing around the table. This is Shane, Alice, Dana, Kit, and the one by the window is Bette. Tinas heart was racing at the sight of Bette, but she wasnt about to be rude to Zoe. So what about me?
Well, said Kit, before Bette could say anything, My little sister was just saying that Franklin and the board asked her to go on a three month trip to view new shows and interview artists.
Tinas heart stopped, and she looked at Bette for conformation. She couldnt even manage to ask her if it was true.
But Bette told the board and Franklin that she loved her friends too much to leave for three months, said Alice Right?!
Bette went back to staring out the window, and without looking back at the group said plainly, I accepted the offer. Her simple sentence was greeted with silence. She knew her next one would start them up again though.
I leave tomorrow night for Dallas to start interviewing artists Monday. Bette guessed right, the entire table started talking again. She chanced a quick look at Tina; she was staring at Bette not saying a single word. Bette listened to the objections for a few more minutes, but surprisingly it was Tina that stopped them.
Well ladies, she said, putting her arm around Zoe, Id love to stay, but I feel like Im being rude. We have a date to finish. Bye guys; Alice Ill see you later tonight. Tina walked away; putting on a smile for Zoe, but inside she was crumbling.
Everyone said goodbye to Tina and Zoe and they walked away. Then the table sat in silence. No one dared look at Bette, and Bette was glad. It meant no one could see her wiping away the tears that were silently falling down her face.
Guys, she began after a while, I really need this trip. The girls nodded slowly, and they all understood why she had accepted the trip. I promise Ill come back.

They finished the meal with little being said between them. Even Alice didnt have anything to say. Bette didnt touch her food, and neither did Kit. The others just nibbled at their food. The waiter brought the check, and all of them paid and walked out. Shane broke the silence as the group walked out the door.
What time does your plane leave Bette?
Tomorrow at eight in the evening. Ill need to leave around six to make sure I get through security on time.
Well, said Kit, Were going with you. It wasnt a question, and Bette knew that her protests would fall on deaf ears if she argued about them going to the airport her. Kit went on, Well meet at Bettes around five thirty.
Everyone nodded. They all hugged, everyone much more melancholy then when they had met in front of the restaurant earlier.