*Sunday Morning*

Honey, could you grab me the sugar? Alice requested.

Grrr! Dana squeezed her tight.

Ha Ha! No, that sugar.

Dana reached to the bowl and handed it to Alice.

I have a surprise for you, Al.

Alice dawned a bright, happy expression.

Ooh! Lemme see! What is it?

Hold on, Ill go get it.




Alice sat in the kitchen, tapping her spoon against her coffee cup. She started to whistle, then was abruptly cut off by Danas grand entrance.

Tah Dah! Dana hopped up and down like an Easter bunny. I love you, sweetie!

I love you too, Dane. Alices face scrunched into a ball. Oh, wow, she started, I always wanteda piece of paper.

Stop it, you. Dana pinched her cheek.

Ow! Alice rubbed her face.

Its more than just a piece of paper, Al. Read it.

Alice slipped on her glasses and read out loud: Welcome to Grand Mountain Adventures, where fun is only a mountain climb away. Alice felt funny. She wasnt much for climbing.

Look, Alice! Dana pointed enthusiastically, were going on a seven day excursiontheres hiking, climbing, fishing, and overnight camping! Dana clapped her hands with excitement.

Wow! Great! Camping

The fact of the matter was, Alice HATED camping.






Jenny had left the hospital to go home and rest. Shane needed it the most, but she refused to leave Cases side. Jenny took a shower and tinkered around on her laptop. She poured herself a glass of grape juice. Her latest story was all about Bette, how she had been with Tina for eight years, how she was caught cheating, how devastated she was, etc. She tried desperately to understand her – to get her somehow. But she feared the worst – that they were just too different.



Bette was cleaning up the guestroom even faster than before. The idea of Tina and the babies staying with her made her anticipation level skyrocket. Should she use Winnie the Pooh? Or maybe Clifford, the Big Red Dog? Wallpaper was a must for every nursery. She held up a swatch, carefully analyzing each piece. Hmmm, she thought out loud, I wonder which one Tina would like best?




We better get to packing, sweetie!

Dana had already packed her bags.

Looks like youve already taken care of that, Alice tensed.

Seven days in the woods? That meant using outhouses, getting dirty, bit by mosquitoes, sleeping five feet from a big scary family of people eating bearsHow in the world would she survive this one?

Alice, you look constipated. Something wrong?

Alice noticed her facial expression in the mirror across the room. She did look a little backed up.

Im fine Dane. Just thinking about what to wear.






Shane sat faithfully by Case. She hadnt had a shower in 48 hours, she was tired and hungry, but she just could not will herself to leave. Case would wake up the second she stepped out of that door, she was sure of it.

Case, you gotta wake up. You have to wake up so Jenny and I can take you back home where youll be safe.

Shane held her limp hand in hers.

My mom was a drug addict too. I know how scary it can be. But I think, deep down inside, she loves you. She has to.





Tina? Its BetteIm looking at some patterns here for the babies room, but I cant make up my mind. I was wondering if I could get a second opinion. Bette looked around the room. Call me.

She hung up the phone and went into the kitchen to fix a sandwich.



Jenny was still thinking of Bette. She thought about how much Bette cared for Tina – how happy she would be right now if they had never been apart. Bette was talking about Tina much more openly these days, and Jenny had spent countless hours going over with her the plans for her baby shower. Jenny sort of knew this would happen. After all, what exactly did they have in common? They had great *****, there was always that. But really, what else was there? Bette loved art, and Jenny was somewhat artistic, but as far as personality went, they were as similar as black and white, no shades of gray in between. She knew it would only be a matter of time before Bette realized how much she needed Tina. Until that day came, though, Jenny would be as supportive as she could. It was the most she could do for her at this time.




Excuse me, miss?

Shane lifted her head up to the sound of a womans voice. She was still holding Cases hand.

Are you Shane?

Yes. She was too exhausted for pleasantries.

Hi, Shane. Im – Im Cases mother