However undeserved, Alice knew she had some residual anger at Lara for the way her relationship had ended with Dana. Logically, Alice knew that Dana had made the decision to end things with Alice for a number of reasons, but it seemed way too quickly that Dana had landed in Lara’s bed. Through the course of Dana’s illness, Alice felt she’d come to terms with their relationship. But really that was only because Alice was the one who got to stay with Dana, while Lara was banned. Until, that is, Alice took a walk and came back to find that Dana had once again left her to be on her own.

She had to admit though that Lara’s sweet nature and gentle laugh felt like a soothing balm when they were together at Whistler. But when Lara had blurted, "Alice, I have something to tell you." Alice’s heart dropped. She knew she had to begin to pick up the pieces but things were coming at her so fast. Thankfully, Tina and Henry had interrupted their conversation. Alice made sure she and Lara had no opportunity to pick up the threads since they’d returned from the ski resort.

But, as Alice weaved her way through traffic she knew that she needed to talk to Lara. The past week had been raw, painfully chem free, and terribly lonely. Alice longed for company, and the only one she felt especially drawn to was the one person she was inexplicably avoiding. Alice sighed again in frustration.

The chirping of her cell phone brought her back to the present and she glanced at the caller id before answering. "Shit!" Her heartbeat accelerated and she answered breathlessly. "Hi, it’s Alice!"

"Alice, it’s Lara."

"Lara, hey, I was meaning to…." Alice’s voice faded for a moment before she continued. "I mean, it’s good to hear your voice."

Lara sounded relieved. "You too. Listen, Alice, I was wondering if you were free for dinner tonight. I thought I could cook something and we could catch up on all the things that have been going on this past week."

Alice’s mouth worked but no sound came out. She swallowed. This was what she’d been hoping for and dreading at the same time. She began to feel the familiar walls creep up threatening to isolate the two women once more.