Previously –

“Alice.  Alice.”  Alice slowly opened her eyes and shut them quickly as the sun shined brightly on her face.  Alice shifted away from the sun and slowly began to open her eyes again.  When Alice focused on who woke her she couldn’t believe it.  “Hi…”

Chapter 7 –

“Hi…”  Alice slowly replied while staring at the figure speaking before her.  Alice couldn’t believe her eyes.  But as the figure began to speak again the shock Alice had first been experiencing began to change into a different emotion.

“How are you?”  The figure asked, smiling at Alice unsure of what her reaction would be.

“How am I?  How am I?  What the fuck?”  Alice hissed the words as anger flashed in her eyes.  She shifted in the chair and sat up straighter, staring down the figure before her.  The figure took a step back, surprised by Alice’s anger.

Never letting go of Dana’s hand Alice continued.  “You leave your girlfriend when she’s at her worst and needs you the most.  Move half way around the country for two months and make no effort to contact her or check on her.  Then you return as if none of that ever happened and walk into her room unannounced where she’s been laying in a coma for over a week.  And the first thing you do is ask how I am.  What the fuck Lara?”  The final words came out louder and more forceful than intended and Alice was now sitting on the edge of her seat, with her fist balled up and ready to swing.  Alice’s anger was reaching the point of rage and with no intention of de-escalating any time soon.  She could not believe Lara actually returned and started a conversation with her without at least acknowledging Dana’s presence.  As Lara stood silently in front of her, Alice’s emotions were running wild, both anger and fear fighting for dominance.  Alice was pissed that Lara returned the way she did, but the fear set in when Alice’s mind comprehended that in fact Lara had returned.

“I…I…I’m sorry.”  The words were a mere whisper from Lara as she stood in place staring at her feet.  She knew Alice was right and seeing Alice asleep next to Dana she figured Alice had been by Dana’s side since she left.  If so, she knew Alice had a right to be angry and she understood.  “I thought she was asleep and didn’t want to disturb her.  I thought I would try to wake you first and see how she is doing.”  This time Lara was speaking a little louder, but she never removed her eyes from her feet, scared to look up at Alice or Dana and unsure of how Alice may continue the conversation.