"Alice? Did I lose you?" Lara’s voice sounded concerned. "Damn cell phones." The redhead muttered in a frustrated tone.

"No-no." Alice was disconcerted to hear the squeaky nature of her reply. She cleared her throat. "I’m here. I was just trying to think if I had any plans for the evening."

"Oh."

"And I don’t think I do. So. That means I’m free." Alice reasoned aloud. "So. I guess I could come over."

"Don’t knock yourself out with eagerness." Lara’s voice sounded slightly hurt.

"Lara- I’m sorry. It’s just that everything seems so fucked up these days that I don’t know whether I’m standing or sitting. I mean with Shane and Carmen and Bette and Tina—" Alice’s voice trailed off.

"And you and me……and Dana?" Lara’s voice picked up.

"Yeah." Alice sniffled.

"That’s what I want to talk to you about Alice. But I don’t want to do it over the phone. This thing that’s going on between us isn’t going away. It happened and it’s affected us—or me at least. There are too many things in my life right now that have no hope of resolution. But this….this does. And I need some resolution. And, Alice?"

"Yeah?" Alice’s voice was a whisper.

"I need you. I don’t know what that means exactly….but I really miss you. Please don’t get freaked out about that—I’m not asking for a commitment or even a relationship. I just want to get together and try to figure this thing out." Lara finished breathlessly, finishing her sentence with an upturn as though it were more a question than a statement.

A car swerved in front of Alice causing her to swear. She looked at the phone in horror.

"Lara—I didn’t mean that! I mean I did, but it was directed at the dickhead in the Hummer…not at you."

"Um. Okay."

Alice swallowed. "Lara, you’re right. We do need to talk, and for the record I would like to figure this thing out as well. I, um, well–, um, I miss you too." She finally blurted. "So, yes, I’d like to come over tonight. What time and can I bring anything?"

"7:30 and just bring yourself."

"Right—I’ll see you then." Alice closed the phone with an air of a woman who was taking a long walk to the gallows.

"God, I need a demerol." She shook her head and looked at her watch. Once again she pounded the wheel. It was going to be a long day.