Then she read Dana’s letter and she couldn’t control the tears. The first time she read the letter she missed most of it through the tears that formed within the first few words. The second time she read it she cursed Dana for professing such love and adoration with all that has gone on. The third time she smiled knowing that the words were truth and that led right back to the tears.

It’s been so many years since the bad relationships and being treated like a doormat that Alice almost didn’t remember it. When she and Dana started dating, she was loved so completely, she didn’t need to remember that feeling. She had such trust and belief in the relationship that it never dawned on her to remember to protect herself. Why would she ever protect herself from Dana? Alice was more open with Dana that she has ever been in her life. But that openness left Alice vulnerable, she had no defenses up. When she now had to face the reality of what has happened, it made it that much worse and more painful than ever before.

So Alice was at a loss. She didn’t know what the right next step was and she had no idea what to do. There were too many opinions floating around in her head. There was a part of her that wanted to go after that woman that was attacking her life. She wanted to protect herself and Dana. There was a part of her that wanted to get home, pack her stuff and just leave it all behind. Then there was the part of her that wanted to call Dana. Of course that was the side that was the strongest. It’s what she’s done for nearly a decade. Since they met, Dana somehow knew how to make Alice feel better. Right now, Alice wanted her best friend to make it all better and when it’s your best friend causing the pain that’s not the best idea.

—

Dana was just getting back to her hotel room from her morning run when she heard her phone ringing.

“Hello? Alice?”

“After this many years, wouldn’t you know that she would never be awake at this hour?”