Tina rolled over in Alice’s bed to find she was alone. She sat up and immediately reached for her head. This was the kind of hangover she hadn’t had in years. She kicked her legs over the side of the bed and steadied her wobbling legs. Tina took a long look down the steps, unsure if she could make it. Alice appeared at the bottom of the landing, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Alice: morning Starshine.

Tina: Ugh.

Alice: Come on you can do it. One foot in front of the other.

Tina: Al, i don’t think I can.

Alice: Remember when we were really little and we were afraid to walk down the steps?

Tina: Vaguely.

Alice: It worked then, I bet it’ll work now.

Tina sat on the top of the steps and began scooting her way down.

Alice: Come on, push your tushie!

Tina: This is utterly degrading.

She reached the bottom of the steps with only minimal rug burns on her *****.

Alice reached her hand out and helped Tina up.

Alice: I made coffee already and I have the bottle of Tylenol waiting for you.

Tina: Thanks.

Tina walked through the living room stepping over sleeping bodies all huddled together in a large mass.

Tina: What the ***** happened last night?

Alice: Nothing that pertains to you, thankfully. You passed out early in the evening.

Tina noticed a sleeping Mackenzie on the couch. She was huddled into a ball wrapped in a light pink blanket.

Tina: Was she pissed?

Alice: To say the very least.

Tina: Then why did she stay?

Alice: wishful thinking I guess. Plus she was drunk and I didn’t want her leaving until she sobered up.

Tina made her way into the kitchen sitting quickly at the table.

Tina: My head hurts.

Alice: I would imagine. After your first mixed drink you moved on to straight up tequila. If I’m not mistaken you had about 4 shots.

Tina: oh god.

Alice placed a cup of steaming coffee in front of her best friend.

Alice: we have some plans today so you better get rid of that hangover.

Tina: No Al. All I want to do today is sleep. And maybe throw up. But definitely sleep.

Alice: Ok well we don’t have plans until 7 so it gives you plenty of time to rest up.

Tina: Al I love you, but there’s a good chance I may have to kill you.

Alice: So be it, just wait until after 7 ok?

Tina: That seems fair. What exciting adventure do you have planned for us next? Bunji jumping with all of my ex’s?

Alice: Maybe.

Tina: I have to get home and get into bed.

Alice: Once everyone leaves I’ll drive you.

Tina: No, I’m cool to drive. It’s only 5 minutes anyway.

Alice: I would feel better if you didn’t drive. What if you have to throw up?

Tina smirked.

Tina: I’ll pull over.

Alice: what if you can’t pull over?

Tina: What would keep me from pulling over?

Alice: Coyotes.

Tina just shook her head.

Mackenzie: I can drive her.

Alice and Tina spun in their chairs to find a very sleepy Mackenzie standing in the doorway smiling.

Mackenzie: Still can’t hold your liquor Kennard?

Alice: Still looming in doorways Kenzie?

Mackenzie shot Alice a look of frustration.

Mackenzie: I have to pass that way anyway and I’m leaving now.

Tina’s look bordered on eager and nervous.

Mackenzie: I promise to behave. I respect that you are getting over a relationship.

Tina: I’ll get my things.

With that Tina took off up the stairs to gather her belongings.

Alice quickly approached Mackenzie.

Alice: I swear, you try anything and the only thing you’ll be kissing is my fist.

Mackenzie: Alice, I know that you love her. But don’t you think you’re being a little aggressive?

Alice: Damn right I love her. I love her enough to only want the best for her and the best ain’t you!

Mackenzie: Feisty.

Alice threw her hands up and went back to the kitchen table.

Alice: I’m sorry it’s just that I’m trying really hard to make things work for her and Bette.

Mackenzie: And while that’s a sweet gesture Al, it isn’t your battle to fight. That’s between the two of them.

Alice dropped her head into her hands.

Alice: I know.

Mackenzie slowly approached Alice and took hold of her hand.

Mackenzie: You know I’m not the same person you knew in high school. I’ve changed, for the better.

Alice raised her eyes to meet the brunette in front of her.

Alice: I can see that.

Mackenzie: I’m not the monster I once was.

Alice: You did try and hook up with a vulnerable woman last night, which was kinda low.

Mackenzie: I was drunk Alice.

Alice: I know, I’m sorry.

Mackenzie sat down in what was once Tina’s seat.

Mackenzie: I have to ask you something. Please don’t laugh.

Alice: I’ll try.

Mackenzie: I didn’t come here last night to see Tina. Although she looks wonderful.

Alice: Agreed.

Mackenzie: I came here to see you. I’m sorry about what almost happened last night, I was a little jealous of her relationship with you.

Alice pulled back in surprise.

Alice: But you and I are friends too, kinda.

Mackenzie smiled.

Mackenzie: Not really.

Alice: I guess not.

Mackenzie: But I would really like to get to know you more.

Alice: Yeah, we could hang out sometime.

Mackenzie: I was thinking maybe we could…uhhh…umm…

Alice: I would love to go out with you Kenzie.

Mackenzie’s face turned a bright shade of pink.

Mackenzie: Really?

Alice: Sure.

Mackenzie: That’s great. I mean, it’s really great. Do you have my number?

Alice: Angel does, I’ll get it from her.

Tina came walking through the kitchen giving both girls a suspicious look.

Tina: Whatcha doin?

Alice: Talking.

Mackenzie stood up and helped Tina with her balance.

Mackenzie: Let’s get you home.

Tina walked toward the front door with Alice and Mackenzie behind her.

Tina: Call me later Al.

Alice: I will. We have to figure out tonight.

Mackenzie: Big plans?

Tina: Who knows? You know how secretive my best friend can be.

Mackenzie: Yes I do.

Alice: I’ll call you later Kenzie ok?

Mackenzie: I’ll be waiting.

Alice closed the door behind them and smiled from ear to ear.

The car ride home wasn’t as awkward as either thought it would be.

Tina: So, Alice?

Mackenzie: Yeah. I like her.

Tina: So I noticed.

Mackenzie: Is that going to be a problem for you?

Tina could hear in her voice that Mackenzie was being genuine.

Tina: Hey, if you promise to make her happy then I really don’t care.

Mackenzie: I give you my word.

They pulled up at the Kennard residence just a few minutes later. Before getting out of the car she gave Mackenzie a quick kiss on her cheek.

Tina: Thanks.

Mackenzie: I’ll see ya.

Tina nodded and then quickly exited out of the car. After quietly entering the house she climbed the steps to her bedroom and dropped her bag. It had been a long night and all Tina wanted was some much-needed rest. She looked over to the frameless picture of Bette and swept it up into her arms. She walked with it over to the bed and fell asleep tightly grasping the glossy paper.

As Tina lay sleeping soundly Bette and Alex were just getting off the plane. They spotted Alice holding a sign that said Mr. and Mrs. Homo. The two ran to give their new friend a hug.

Alice: I missed you guys!!

Alex: We missed you too.

Bette: How’s Tina?

Alice: Well, it’s wonderful to see you too Bette.

Bette placed a kiss on Alice’s forehead.

Alice: She’s recovering from a rough hang over.

Bette: That was your solution to helping her? Get her drunk?

Alice: What? She drank, threw up and went to bed. It kept her from crying!

Bette: Ok, I’m sorry. I’m just a little nervous.

Alice: It’s cool.

After claiming their luggage Alice led them through the parking lot to her car.

Alex: Is it me, or is it like a million degrees here?

Bette: No, it’s hot.

Alice: This is nothing. Wait until it hits 110 degrees.

Bette: Sounds like fun!

Alex smirked at Bette’s sarcasm.

Alice: Oh just get in and shut up.

After the three had settled into Alice’s small car the matter at hand needed to be discussed.

Bette: Ok, can someone tell me the plan?

Alex: Do you remember what you told me yesterday at the airport?

Bette: Yes.

Alex: that’s the plan. Just tell her what you told me.

Bette: Yeah I can do that. I think.

Alice: Bette, just allow your self to be vulnerable for a minute!

Alex sensed the tension and quickly changed the subject.

Alex: So, how is my pesky bi sexual doing?

Alice: I might have a date tonight.

Alex: Ohhh, details!!

Alice: her name is Mackenzie. Actually, she is Tina’s ex.

Bette: You’re dating her ex?

Alice: I don’t know. Maybe.

Bette: Isn’t that kind of weird?

Alice shot Bette a look in the rear view mirror.

Alice: Don’t YOU think it’s weird that you dumped Tina on her cell phone?

Alex: Ouch!

Bette: Touche.

Alice: You know Bette, part of me really hates you right now.

Bette: Oh yeah, and what about the other part?

Alice: The other part is rooting for you. I want you to sweep Tina off of her feet; just don’t expect it to be easy!

Bette: She hates me?

Alex intervened.

Alex: hate is such a strong word.

Alice: If she hated you Bette she wouldn’t be here. She would be living her life in New York as if nothing had happened. She loves you and that’s why she’s here. Do you know what it’s like to try and get over your first and only love?

Bette: I’m doing it right now.

Alice: Oh.

The three pulled into the parking lot of a local outdoor cafe.

Alice: I figured after your trip, you might be hungry.

Bette: I actually could use a nice iced coffee and a cigarette. Alex, do you have a pack?

Alex laughed.

Alex: Do I have a pack? Of course! That’s like asking a ***** if she has a line of credit to home depot!

Bette: I don’t have a credit card to home depot.

Alex: That’s because it takes 6 – 8 weeks after coming out to arrive. It’ll be in your mailbox shortly.

Bette: I’ll be waiting eagerly.

Alice: Come on you two! My stomach is doing cartwheels here!


As Alex and Alice caught up, Bette nervously watched the clock. In just an hour she would be seeing Tina and she hoped her heart could handle it. What if Tina didn’t want to see her? What if Tina had decided to stay in Arizona permanently? All of these doubts came rushing into Bette’s head, flooding heart with doubt.

Alex: So he was the flight attendant!

Alice: You are my hero!!

Alex: I know. If I wasn’t me right now, I would want to be me!

Alice: So not only did you join the mile high club, but you did it with a steward! That’s great!

Alex: Who said anything about joining the mile high club. Honey I have been a card-carrying member since 1992.

Alice: Can’t you just stay in Arizona forever? Don’t leave me here alone.

Bette finally chimed in on their conversation.

Bette: Maybe you won’t be alone, maybe Tina will stay.

Alice jumped up from her chair.

Alice: Ok, miss thing! You need to lose this “poor me” attitude! You did this to yourself! Both of you did! You and Tina. I am here and I will support the two of you but I don’t want to hear the constant whining! I have my own problems…lots of them!

With that Alice sat quietly back down in her chair while Alex gave her a nice round of applause. He turned to Bette.

Alex: Excuse me but I need to borrow your drama queen tiara.

He turned back to Alice.

Alex: I believe this is yours.

He handed her an imaginary tiara.

Alice: Oh wow! Thank you so much. I’d like to thank the Academy, and all of my crazy friends who eventually led to my dramatic break down.

Alex and Bette both applauded.

Bette: I’m sorry Al.

Alice: I know you are. No worries. Now if you will excuse me, I have to go call our Tina and make sure she’s awake. 1 hour to go Bette. Hang in there.

Bette nodded in the appreciation and reached for Alex’s pack of cigarettes.

Bette: I think I just need a few more.

Alex: I’ll buy another pack later. Keep that one.

Bette leaned her head against Alex’s shoulder and took a deep breath.

Bette: I can’t do this…

TBC…