“….I kept trying to tell her but would Helena listen. Nope.  Dylan used her and took her money.  Helena lost everything.  Now’s she’s finally back on her feet and who shows up.  Fucking, Dylan.  That’s not a coincidence Shane.  Dylan, fucking liar and user, Moreland has come back for one thing and one thing only, Helena’s money.”

　

　

I’m stopped dead in my tracks, hearing what Alice had to say about me.  These are the words Helena has been hearing about me from her best friend.  I knew it was bad, but this.  Who the hell did Alice think she was?  She doesn’t know me.  Alice knows nothing about me.  If she did, she would know that’s not why I came back.  I love Helena.  Whatever happened to make Helena lose everything, I didn’t cause it.  I love her.  It wasn’t me.  I gave it all back, I gave the money back.  I love Helena.

I’m so angry right now it’s taking every ounce of energy in my body to control myself from literally biting Alice’s head off.  My hands are clenched into fists and my arms are shaking.  I need to control myself, but it’s getting harder to contain my anger the more I think about what she’s been saying to Helena about me.  Who the FUCK does she think she is?  “You don’t know me! You know nothing about me, Alice!”

　

　

　

　

I can’t take Kit sitting on the couch staring at me any longer.  I need to say something and talking about Dylan only makes me feel like crying.  I don’t want to cry anymore.  I wish she would call.  I can’t take this, knowing I might never hear from her again because of my own horrible past.

I decide it will be less emotionally draining for me to confront Kit about Alice finding out about my dinner with Dylan.  I thought somehow knowing which one or whether it was both her and Shane who told Alice about our dinner, would cause me less pain.  “She called, you know. Alice, just before Dylan arrived at my house last night.”

Closing her eyes, Kit lets out a sigh before she answers me.  “I’m sorry Helena.  You know me, I would never tell anyone something you asked me not to.  Alice, she just figured it out.  She asked where you were and I told her you had a date.  When she asked with who, I didn‘t know who to tell her you were with.  She just figured it out.  I can’t believe she called you.  Damn that girl, I told her to leave you guys alone.  I’m so sorry Helena.”

I believed her.  I knew Kit would never betray my trust.  I can’t be mad at her.  I’m angry with myself, not her.  It’s easier to take your anger out on someone else when it’s really yourself you want to berate for your actions.  “It’s okay, Kit.  I’m not mad, I’m sorry.  I just wish she would…”  I’m interrupted by a knock at the door and it opening quickly.

Susie, looking very flustered, starts talking hastily and waving her hands to usher us out to the dining area.  “I’m sorry but you need to come out here.  I tried to stop it.  But, your friend Alice wouldn’t listen to me and this other woman won’t either.….you should really just come out here.  It’s getting bad.  Really, really bad.  People are leaving!  Shane tried to stop it too, but…..you just need to come out here.”