“Oh, she might give you a little death or two. Or a
lot if you’re lucky. Hey Bette, could you put away the ham? Dana the
vegan is starting to look nauseated.”

    “Alice!” Bette started to wail and whine. Alice
mentally ticked off item number 3. She knew Bette’s M.O. First, she
would try to physically hide. Then if that didn’t work, she would beg
to be excused. When both failed, she whined in the most irritating
unbearable way and usually THAT worked.

    “If you start whining, I’ll sic Kit on you.” That
quickly shut Bette up. Alice raised a thumbs up at Bette’s sister who
was behind the counter, mixing up a batch of vegan protein shake for
Dana. The big amazon kill-you-with-my-bare-hands woman raised a thumbs
up back.

    “Fine. Let it not be said that I’m not a reasonable
person. I’ll meet with this woman, a ***** escort that you have so
generously provided me. Although I’ll be perfectly civil and
hospitable, welcoming her into my sanctuary where she is in fact not
welcome, there will be and there will never, in any shape, way, or
form, be any *****. Ever. Understand?”

    “I’ll call her and relay your chalhenge, I mean message. Okay Bette? I can do that for you.”

    “NO! It’s not a challenge! Alice!”

    “Bye Bette! Be ready, she’s gonna be coming at 8.”
Alice overrode the fresh wave of Bette’s panic and quickly ended the
call.

    Kit brought the protein shake to the table and
smiled happily at the women. “My favorite bunch of people come to have
breakfast in my little cafe! I am so so pleased! How are you all?

    Where’s Bette?” Kit’s big smile slightly and imperceptibly turned hard.

    “Hey Kit!” the women chorused. Alice wiped a froth
mustache away and answered her, “Well, she’s still at home, having an
anxiety attack. You know that plan I told you about? Well, I did it.
Bette’s going to get laid tonight.”

    “Good, good. I guess. Anxiety attack huh? Maybe I
should swing by the CAC on my lunch break? See how she’s doing?”

    “Uh, Kit, don’t. You know how Bette feels when you ‘swing by’” Shane cautioned.

    “Yeah,” Dana piped up. “She thinks you’re checking
up on her and that you don’t think she’s capable of surviving without
big sis constantly trying to protect her.”