“Bette I don’t start work till five and anyway I was out last night” the less then coherent Alice replied.

“Right Al, well get yourself out of whoever’s bed your in and come meet me for lunch I really need to talk to you” came Bette’s reply.

“Bette it’s not like that, I have really had an amazing night but I shall be over with you in about 20 minutes is that ok honey?” a yawning Alice answered.  Alice knew something must be seriously up as Better would never be the one to initiate a “conversation”.

“Thanks Al, you’re a star and I’ll have lunch or in your case breakfast ready for ya” said Bette.

Twenty Minutes Later

“Alright where’s the fire” said Alice as she entered the main office of Better Porter.

James rose to meet her “Hey Al great to see you, listen I don’t think Bette is in great shape so I’m glad your hear, cause she hasn’t come out of the office for the past half an hour.”

“Can you tell me has anything happened?” inquired Alice

“I am not really sure, this woman arrived here this morning demanding to see Bette, wasn’t here ten minutes when she left crying and Better hasn’t really spoken since then” he said.

“Ok thanks right well I knew she is nearly finished her shift so can you field all her calls for the remainder and if anyone asks to see her just say she is in a meeting or something, let us not be disturbed ok” said Alice “Oh and James why don’t you finish early I am sure the boss woman won’t mind!”

“Sure thing Alice” smiled James.

With that Alice opened the door into her friends office and saw a very desponded looking Bette.

As soon as Bette saw her best friend Al she couldn’t remain strong anymore.  She started crying and there was nothing she could do to stop it.  She had tried fighting it but the tears kept falling and she really disliked this vulnerability but all the emotions from the pervious year including this morning’s fiasco came screaming out to the surface and there was not a damn thing that she could do.