Oh, yeah, Shane said, straining to remember the article as she hit the button for their floor.

Exiting the elevator, Alices nose stuck in another magazine and Shane leading the way, they headed toward Danas room. She would soon be discharged, if all went well. They entered the room, shocked at what they found.

The phone lay in the floor, as well as a cup and the phonebook. Dana was crying softly, tears coursing steadily down her face as she hugged her arms to her body. The TV was on and blaring loudly.

Dana, whats wrong? Alice asked quickly, dropping the forgotten magazine to the floor and hurrying over to Danas bed, narrowly avoiding slipping in the puddle of water beside the cup on the floor. Shane quickly followed.

Shhh, listen, Dana scolded them with a sob as the nightly news came back on from its commercial break.

Looking at the screen curiously, they saw a female newscaster begin talking. One of tonights top stories is that professional tennis player Dana Fairbanks was severely injured in a car accident the other night. According to sources close to her, she is apparently paralyzed from the waist down. Fairbanks, who recently revealed that she was a ***** in a famous Subaru advertisement, was the victim of a drunk driver. No word from Ms. Fairbankss agent or from Subaru. Our thoughts are with her.

Dana scowled at the screen, muting the sound. No, youre not. You dont even know me.

Dana, this cant be whats gotten you so upset. You knew the media would be all over this, Alice pointed out gently, trying to take Danas hand.

Dana pulled her hand away and used it to wipe her eyes. Its not that. Its worse. ***** Subaru just called.

Whats going on? Shane asked, although she had a pretty good idea of what Dana was about to say.

Dana angrily spat out, Ive lost my sponsorship, with a sob. I cant walk anymore. Im a cripple. Cripples cant play tennis, so my career is ***** over. And Subaru doesnt want a crippled, non-tennis player to represent them.

They cant do that! Can they? Alice said, giving Dana a hug as she looked at Shane for confirmation.

Shane shrugged. I dont know, man. Bette might have a better idea about this than me. Call her over here.

Dana pulled away from Alices embrace as best she could, considering her limited mobility. Of course they can. They can do whatever the ***** they want, considering how ***** rich they are. I get to keep the money I got for the first ad, and any royalties that come in concerning it later. Thats it. Thats all she wrote. Its over. My contract with them has ended.

Im sorry, Dana, Shane said quietly, patting Danas knee, momentarily forgetting she couldnt feel it, and then uncomfortably pulling her arm away and laying it on Danas arm instead.

Dana noticed, and laughed bitterly. Yeah, I couldnt feel that. Lifes a *****, huh? She leaned her head back, a fresh round of tears coming on. And then you die. And before that happens, shifty stuff happens and you lose your contract with Subaru.

Come on, Dana. Its not the end of the world. Theyre ***** for doing this, Alice reassured her, squeezing Danas shoulder.

Dana turned her head toward Alice, the emotions in her eyes making Alice gulp. But, Alice. Think about it. I cant walk. I dont have tennis anymore. I just lost that sponsorship, which would have been the only income I had coming in. If its not the end of the world, then what is it?

Alice gave her what she hoped was a reassuring glance. Well, maybe its just the beginning of a new world.