“Ok Alice I got your message asking me to come back over.  What’s going on, what did Howie want?”  Shane called out as she let herself into Alice’s apartment.  Wandering into the living room she noticed the writer sitting on the couch, a dazed expression on her face,  her arms folded almost defensively, her body language suggesting she would rather be anywhere but in that room.  Confused and becoming increasingly concerned Shane tried again this time in a more gentle tone. “Al, talk to me.  What’s wrong?  Did Howie say something that upset you?”

Eventually Alice slowly lifted her gaze to meet Shane’s.  Lifting her finger she pointed at the box still lying just where Howie had left it “He brought that”.  Shane turned and looked where the finger lead her.   “What the hell is that” she asked getting up to go and inspect it further.  As the writing came into view she stopped and looked at Alice questioningly.  “We know that hand-writing right?”

With the pizza box nestled between them and each nursing a cool beer, a few hours later Shane and Alice continued to talk.  “Ok so you’re going to call Kit and see can she keep some tables for us in The Planet in the morning, oh and make sure she has enough staff on so she can get away to join us.  I’m going to speak to Tina, Jenny and Max, and you’ll make sure Bette and Helena can make it.  So then that just leaves you know” Shane said her voice trailing off as she finished.  The fact that there was a box in Alice’s living-room from Dana had stirred up enough emotions in Shane earlier that evening.  Spotting Carmen’s name on the envelope had almost been too much to take as she realised how much had changed, how their lives had moved on without Dana. 

“What do you want to do about it Shane?” Alice’s words shook her out of her own thoughts.   “At one level it seems kind of weird not respecting the intentions of a dead person but at the same time when she intended for Carmen to be with us things were very different.  This affects you the most, it’s not like any of us have stayed in contact with her.   Whatever you decide, I’m cool with.”