“Is there anyone you’d like us to call?”

Dana stood up, walked over to the window that looked out over West Hollywood longing for one thing, one person that would make this marginally easier to cope with and digest.  She had just been told that stage 3 breast cancer wasn’t a death sentence but that required Dana to believe that there was something worthwhile sticking around for.  Seven months three days ago Dana had let her lifelong insecurities get the better of her once more and the day she walked out of Alice Pieszecki’s apartment she had thrown away the best friendship, relationship and lover she had or would ever have. Since then they had slowly become friends again which currently only involved being able to have coffee at the Planet with the rest of the family or the BBQ at Bette and Tina’s the previous weekend. 

There was a feeling that crept over Dana as the she looked out over the city from the window of her oncologist’s office. She knew that no matter what had happened between them the both loved each other deeply and although she had hurt Alice beyond what she had ever though capable, she also knew that Alice would know, understand and be there for her now when she needed her more than she had ever needed anyone in her life.

“Alice, Alice Pieszecki.”

Dr Shapiro left the office telling Dana that he’d make the call and give her time to herself and digest what he had just discussed with her.

Chemotherapy, Hair loss, Surgery, Mastectomy, Reconstruction, Pain, Discomfort, Sickness, Stage 3, Advanced,

Cancer

“Yeh ok Yoda, whatever”

“I’m serious Al, it’s all about the birds!”

“It’s always about the birds with you Shane”

“Seriously, I’m in a serious and committed relationship and our bird tattoos symbolise that.”

Alice smiled

“Joking aside my friend, I couldn’t be happier for you. Nobody deserves it more than you guys.”

Shane blushed slightly and never being the most comfortable with receiving compliments was saved from replying by Alice’s cell phone ringing and vibrating which made it do a little dance across their table.

Alice scooped up her lithium battery fuelled friend and checked the caller ID.

Unknown Number

“Alice Pieszecki?” Alice spoke somewhat clearer and less like her usual voice, unsure of who would be calling.

Shane watched Alice’s confused expression turn from that to shock to fear as the colour drained from her face.  She knew instinctively something was wrong from her face without needing to hear her end of the conversation.

“Who?… her what?…oh um of course…where?…I’ll be ten minutes”

Alice hung up the phone and immediately met Shane’s eyes that were locked on her face.

“Al? Who is it?”

“Um I dunno, I just need to go to the hospital, I’ll call you later.” 

Alice wasn’t entirely sure why she lied; maybe she wanted to prevent Shane from worrying about Dana without getting any answers, something that she at least would be getting soon.  She knew Shane saw the lie that would’ve fleetingly been broadcast across her face (even Alice knew she was a terrible liar but in this instance it was to protect a friend whilst helping another. The fact that the other friend was Dana also seemed to justify a lie just this once.)

Alice drove her light blue Mini across the streets of LA in somewhat of a daze and luckily the routes and roads were etched into the back of her brain after so many times of aimlessly driving around to try and clear her head that by driving on autopilot delivered her to her destination which, on this particularly cool summer’s day was the Los Angeles Medical Centre.