***

Bette spent time in the hotel spa that afternoon after a helpful concierge hooked her up with a gift wrapping service right there in the hotel. She was feeling a lot better about Alice. It was good that Alice had decided to pick herself up and dust herself off, but she was still nervous about Tina’s plan to help her. Worrying did no good, she knew. She’d just have to have faith that Tina’s plan would offer a solution.

She went back to her room feeling a bit calmer and more rejuvenated. She changed out of her spa clothes and checked her watch. Alice should be bringing Angie back soon. She smiled at the pile of gifts arranged under the tree in the suite. The room looked nice. Festive. Bette had most definitely mellowed on the holidays over the years. Tina had helped a lot with that.

She settled down on the suite’s couch near the tree and checked her phone. A text from Tina and one from Alice. They were both on their way to the hotel. She turned on the tv and flipped through the channels, killing time until she had some company. It wasn’t too long before there was a knock on the door.

When she answered the insistent knocks, Bette was practically bowled over by Angie and Alice rushing into the room with excited chatter.

“Mom, you’ll never guess what just happened!”

“Bette, it happened!”

“Calm down you two,” Bette laughed. “One at a time. Here, Ang, set your bags over there. Alice, come sit down. There. Now tell me.”

“On our way here I got a call. A job offer from this place I had applied months ago. I interviewed but they filled the position with someone else, but that person left, and now they want me. An entertainment and fashion show wants me to head up their internet division – their blog and social media presence.”

“Alice that’s amazing! I’m so glad.”

“I don’t know what you and Tina did, but I’m so grateful,” Alice said, reaching over to give Bette a tight hug.

“Alice we didn’t -” Bette started to say as she pulled back.

“Oh come on, Bette. I don’t hear anything for months and once you two come to visit, I suddenly get this call? It’s obvious. You don’t have to pretend. I appreciate it, so much.”