Chapter 17 – The Secrets Out

Shane pulls up into Kits apartment complex and is surprised to see Alices Cooper already there. Getting out, she head to Kits apartment door. Not sure if shes ready to talk to Alice at this moment Shane hesitates at the door. Finally knocking.

After a moment Kit opens the door with a look of relief. Shane what brings you by, good to see you. Kit says as she practically grabs Shanes arm and pulls her into the room. Sure enough there sits Alice and from the looks of her she is on a mission.
Shane: Alice, what are you doing here?
Before Alice can talk Kit answers for her: Alice was just wondering about Bette and I was just letting her know that I have a very limited script that Im allowed to reveal so if youre after the same thing I will just have to give you the same answer. Giving a pointed look to Shane as she relates this.
Shane: Oh, Oh, OK. Getting Kits drift, Shane walks across the room and sits down in the chair next to Alice on the couch. Kit follows and sits in the opposite corner of the coach from Alice. Now the three of them are starring at each other. Silence between them.
Alice is the first to break up the silence: OK you two, do you really expect me to believe that something is not going on when I can practically see it written all over your faces.
Shane looks down but Kit just stares back at Alice as Alice turns from Kit to Shane and back to Kit again. Kit and Shane start speaking at the same time. What, I dont know what? Both stop.
Kit: Listen Alice, Shane and I need to have a conversation before I can even go any further with you. You can either stay here or you can leave and Shane and I will get back to you. Your choice.

Alice was relieved that finally she might get to the bottom of this decides to wait right were she is because she was making some headway and didnt want these two backsliding in anyway. Alice: I think Ill wait right here.

Kit: That up to you but will you excuse Shane and myself for a time?
To Shane: Come with me. As she leads Shane to her bedroom and shuts the door.
Shane sits on Kits bed and would start laughing hysterically if this wasnt such a sad situation. The same thought must have been going through Kits mind as she said: Isnt it just the thing, here you and I are, who want nothing to do with deception, spinning away for my baby sister. I think this has got to end. What do you think?
Shane: Im with you. I think we need to get Alices help. Really, the question is, how much do we tell Alice?
Kit: Yeah, I really think Bette needs to explain herself. So why dont we stick to the basics. Kit pacing as she thinks: Do we tell Dana?
Shane: Well, I think by telling Alice we will be telling Dana dont you?
Kit: Youre right but still I think we need to include Dana. Lets go out there and tell Alice to get Dana and we will all sit down tonight.
With that they walk back into the living room to an expectant Alice.
Alice honey, do you think you could get a hold of Dana and have her come over. Kit asks. God this must be serious were Alices first thought but she says: Yeah, Sure
With that Alice left to go get Dana which gave Shane and Kit time to put there heads together. Shane started to relate her idea for the plan to Kit. We need to talk about the plan to get Bette at least back with the gang and with a good plan we can get her back with Tina.


Alice returned to Kits after about 40 minutes and was pounding on the door with Dana in tow. Kit opens up and now the four of them are sitting looking at each other.
Kit: I dont really know what to say. I want to start by saying that I really feel that much of what is going on with Bette needs to come from Bette directly. I love and respect her and think she deserves the opportunity to talk to each of you herself. Im saying this because Im not going to be able to answer all of you questions. So maybe Alice why dont you start by telling us what you know and then we can go from there.

Alice: Thats just it, I dont know squat. I tried tracking Bette down. I have called all the places. I went to the CAC and was told she is no longer employed there but nothing else. I even tracked down James and was not able to get anything out of him. I know that Tina is ready to talk to Bette. I would even venture to say that today Tina could even deal with Bette and everything Bette throws out there in attitude. But the question still remains WHERE IS BETTE?

Shane at this point feels compelled to get involved in the conversation: Its not so much WHERE Bette is but more WHO Bette is now. She has been through a lot and hasnt come out the other side completely yet.

OK, now you guys are just freaking me out. What did Bette do try to kill herself. Alice blurts out. But as soon as it was out of her mouth the GASP from Shane and Kit confirmed the statement.
Dana: Oh God, when.. how why didnt we know.
All Alice could say was nothing but her mouth was open anyway.