“I know, but she insists. She told me that she feels like a horrible friend for not having been yet,” Helena shrugged.

I shook my head, still not really comprehending why Tina was so set on coming to a place that made her uncomfortable but deciding to go with it. “Well, she really doesn’t need to feel obligated, but I’m sure Alice would be happy to see her. She’s bored, I think.”

“I’m not surprised. Tina did want to wait until she was moved to her own room, but she hopes to come by either today or tomorrow sometime.”

I nodded, and after that there didn’t seem to be much else to say. We sat there sipping our disgusting coffee for a few minutes more until Shane turned to Jenny and asked if she’d remembered her medication that morning. Jenny shook her head, and Shane sighed and pulled a few pills out her pocket. “I’ll go get you some tea. Don’t worry, I’ll make it myself.”

She was back a few minutes later and handed the cup to Jenny, who took it gratefully. I smiled at them because it was cute. I’d always thought they were cute, though.

I went back down to Al’s room a little bit later. The others stayed up in the cafeteria, wanting to give me some time alone with Alice, which I appreciated. I told them I’d call soon so they could come in and see her too.

She looked good. When I hugged her, she smelled faintly of lilacs and I figured the nurse had used the shower gel Helena had brought a few days ago. I told her that they were upstairs waiting to see her, and that Tina was coming later too. Alice look slightly distressed at this, but when I told her that Tina was insisting, she smiled. I knew it was impossible, but the smile looked more like her old one than it had that same morning, and it made me really happy to see.

I told her I loved her and that the kids as well as our friends were looking into getting her help when she was able to go home. The smile left her face and she signed “wait” to me slowly. Then she spelled out “too much,” and I felt like shit.