ALICE’S APARTMENT

Alice could believe how scared she was in her own home. She knew she was being irrational but every sound had her feeling as if someone was trying to get her. She had lived in this apartment for years and with the exception of an occasional sleeping partner, she had lived by herself. Yet for some reason now she was scared to be here by herself. She thought about going to Dana’s but the thought of going out to her car in the dark scared her more than the fear of being in the apartment alone.

All she could think was why did she leave Dana’s, and how truly fucked up she was. She picked up her phone and called Dana, knowing she had failed, but knowing she had to do something to keep her sanity.

Dana ran up Alice’s steps two at time, grateful she was fit enough to run up the stairs instead of having to wait for the elevator. She slowed down in front of Alice’s door knowing that barging in might upset her friend even more. She picked up her cell phone, calling Alice to let her know she was about to let herself into the apartment.

After letting herself in and walking back to Alice’s room, she noticed that Alice still had her phone in her hand. Alice looked at her “Dana, sometimes you are so Dana.” Dana blushed at this comment not knowing what Alice was talking about. Alice continued to speak explaining the remark, “You are the only person I know who would call someone from outside their door, so not to upset them. It’s sweet, dorky and so you.”

Dana walked over kicking her shoe off as she got in the bed beside Alice. “Al, what happen tonight?” Alice moved closer to her friend feeling safe at last. “I guess I talked the talk but wasn’t able to walk the walk, I just got scared, every noise in my home had me feeling like someone was in here. Then when I thought about getting up and driving to your place the thought of going out into the dark scared me more, so I’ve been laying here for several hours too embarrassed to call you until I couldn’t take it anymore.” Dana felt Alice’s embarrassment, she could see it in her face, and she knew this had unraveled what ever small step Alice had taken toward recovery. Dana placed her arm around Alice and pulled her into an embrace lightly kissing the top of her head similarly to how a mom would kiss a child awoken from a bad dream. “Alice, it was too soon.” Alice snuggled closer to Dana finally feeling tired and ready to sleep. “You think I’m a total loser don’t you?” Dana closed her eyes as she was speaking to Alice, “Al if you’re a loser, then so am I. I wasn’t sleeping that well without you either.”