“Oh…”

“You just don’t understand the creative process.”

“Everyone has their own process, Al. I get it. But what about your blog? Your site?”

“I haven’t felt like updating it. Readership was falling off anyways.”

Bette looked at Helena for help and she piped up, hoisting two of the Chihuahuas onto her lap.

“You know what would be a good idea, Alice? You could take the time to catalog all these Hollywood artifacts sitting around the house. I bet some of them could go at auction.”

Alice stretched her legs out on the couch and arranged her head on a pillow. “Mm. I could.”

Bette felt herself getting depressed and a little irritated by Alice’s demeanor. “Why didn’t you call me back? I’ve been trying to reach you all afternoon.”

“Didn’t have my phone on. Sorry,” Alice said, clearly paying more attention to the TV than to Bette.

Bette wasn’t having it. “Right,” she said. “Look, Alice. I’m sorry about what happened with you and Tasha. I know breakups aren’t easy. And I know how tough the job market can be, and how easy it is to get discouraged when you feel you don’t have any prospects. I’ve been there. More than once. But you still have your site, your blog, and most importantly, your talent. You need to start writing again, not just thinking about it, but actually doing it. With discipline, like you used to. There’s a lot going on in the world right now. Write about it. Post about it. Get your online presence going again. Rotting away on this couch isn’t going to do you any good.” Bette broke off her speech, realizing her tone wasn’t as compassionate as it could have been. She softened her voice a little and added, “You’re just going to end up more miserable than before, unless you do something.”

Alice had been watching Bette as she spoke, and as Bette fell silent, Alice crunched hard into another kale chip.

“So how long are you in town for?”

“Just a few days. Tina has a lot of things to take care of.”

“Ah.” Alice sat up and held the snack bag out to Bette, who shook her head no.

“Angie is spending the rest of the day with Kit, but she’s very anxious to see you. Maybe I can bring her by tomorrow. Or you could come into town and spend some time with her,” Bette said, realizing she was using Angie as leverage to get Alice out of this strangely musty, cluttered house. Whatever works.