A short time later, I hear a pounding on the front door. COME ON BETTE! IM NOT LEAVING UNTIL WE TALK! Shes even angrier than before. Her distain is drifting in through the door like a pesky draft in cold weather. I better let her in and get this over with. I go to the door and open it, making sure I keep my hand on the door to show her Im not inviting her in.

Are you going to invite me in, she asks the question more like a demand.

Do I have a choice, I say.

No, she replies and she pushes past me. Without an invitation she makes herself comfortable in the living room. You have a lot of explaining to do Bette Porterand Im not leaving until Im satisfied with your explanation.

Alice, my voice reflects my exasperation. I cant deal with anything right now. Tina was here this morning and Im not in the mood the talk to anyone.

I know she was here. I came to pick her up. Alice picked her up? I wonder if shes okay. Of course notAlice wouldnt be here yelling at me if she was.

How is she, I ask with concern.

Not good, she says. I knew she was hurt, but hearing the words make my heart sink lower. What did you do to her?

Nothing, I tell Alice. At least not anything to her. The last bit slips before I can catch it.

What does that mean?

I saw her at Milk last nightshe was on the dance floorkissing some other woman. Im justifying my actions to Alice.

I know, she says. She knows? Wait, she was the one that called me.

You knew about it? Is that why you called and left that message? You wanted me to come there and see her? I can feel tears forming in my eyes. How could Alice have betrayed me like this? I know I did wrong by Tina, but Alice didnt have anything to do with it. Is she taking sides? I really didnt want to get the others involved.