Ivan reached out, took Alice’s hand and breaking her train of thought, bowed slightly and kissed it.  “Hello, Alice.  Good to see you this evening.”

            “Yeah, girl, how’s it goin’?” Kit added with her broad grin.

            “Well,” Alice giggled nervously, “you know me…ever the social butterfly.”

            Kit threw back her head and laughed.  “Oh yeah, that’s you all right. Ms. Congeniality.”

            “So,” Alice pulled the stir stick from her drink and stuck it in her mouth, sucked on it for a moment, “quite a little event, isn’t it?”

            “Yeah,” Ivan nodded, looking around at familiar faces and wondering why he felt SO ill at ease.  The only person here who hadn’t greeted him with complete warmth and acceptance was Bette, and she’d finally begun to soften a little.  Still, there was something…he just couldn’t put his finger on it.  The woman was wound tight.

            “Have you talked to Bette?  Is Helena going to fund the show?”

            “Huh-uh, haven’t been able to catch up with her,” Alice shook her head, brushed the shaggy bangs back.  “She’s been doing the Director’s social thing, you know, smiling and nodding her head a lot.  You know she isn’t listening, but she nods anyway.”

            “Where is she?” Kit looked around the room for her baby sis.

            “I dunno,” Alice shrugged, “Helena dragged her off somewhere a few minutes ago.”

            “Oh lord,” Kit grinned, “that woman is…persistent.”

            ‘Oh yeah,” Alice rolled her eyes, not wanting to admit that the real reason she wasn’t fond of Helena was simply because she’d been with Susan too.  But then, who hadn’t?  She knew she shouldn’t blame Helena for not resisting Susan; it would have been pretty pointless to try, anyway.  If Susan wanted someone, Susan got that someone.

            “Well, hey, can I get you anything?  Lara’s brought her very best ‘small tastes’, as Helena calls them.  I’m going to have to jog for a week to work off the extra calories I’m stuffing tonight.”  She patted her flat stomach.

            “No thanks,” Kit smiled, “I think we’re fine.  Aren’t we, hon’?”  She turned her head toward Ivan, melting at the sight of his face.  She’d had no idea what the effect of putting him in a tuxedo would have on her.