The Day After


Shane sat at the counter of the Planet waiting for her friends to arrive. At 10am when still no one was there she decided to call Alice.

Alice: Hello?

Shane: Where are you? Where is everyone?

Alice: (whispering so as not to wake Tina who was sleeping finally, in the other room) Yeah, umm, some stuff happened last night. Late last night and I dont know if anyone is coming.

Shane: What kind of stuff? (Shane was becoming a little nervous)

Alice: Its a really long story, but it ends with Tina sleeping here, Bette probably at home crying her eyes out, Dana in bed with Tonya, and me wanting to be in bed with Dana.

Shane: What? Im coming over now. You have some explaining to do.

Alice: Fine but like I said Tina is here so we will hafta sit outside and talk. Ok?
Shane: Whatever. Im on my way.

(Shane grabbed her coffee and ran out the door. Completely confused by what was going on.)

Back at Alices.

Tina: Im sorry.

Alice: (A little taken back. She didnt even know that Tina was standing there). Sorry? For what?

Tina: Everything. For barging in here last night. I should have called. I could have stayed at a hotel or something. I just wasnt thinking.

Alice: Seriously, Tee, dont worry about it. Im just glad I could be here for you.
Tina: And thanks for that. Its just, I know that you are Bettes friend.

Alice: ( Reaching out for Tinas hand) Im your friend too. I always will be. Come sit, Ill make coffee.

Tina sitting down on the couch.

Tina: I just hope when all of this is said and done, you will still be my friend Al. I mean, this will probably get kinda messy.

Alice: Dont talk like that Tee. Listen, you know Bette loves you. She wasnt thinking. And Im not taking her side. She was wrong, no doubt. But maybe you guys can work this out. I meancome on, Bette and Tina, Its practically one word. I cant imagine saying one name without the other immediately following.

Tina: I know and maybe thats the problem. I dont have my own identity anymore. And as soon as I try to get mine back, Bette goes andandugh, you know.

Alice: I know. It was fucked up. Bette knows that. She knows what she is losing here. But she didnt realize it then. In my humble opinion, you two need to sit down and talk through this. Before either of you do or say something youll regret for life.

A light knock at the door.

Alice: Look thats Shane. Im going to go talk to her for a minute. Ok?

Tina: Of course Al. Im going to go shower.

Alice: (getting up to walk toward the door) Towels are in the closet.

Tina: Thank you.


Alice smiled at Tina the best she could, given the circumstance. She opened her front door and walked outside.

Shane: OK, so, what the ***** is happening?

Alice: So much ***** Shane. Here is the 411 on Bette and Tina. Bette has apparently been sleeping with the carpenter. You know Candace. I dont know how long it was going on or to what extent, but it happened. Anyway, Tina found out and left Bette. She came here last night only I wasnt here. So she let herself in. Where was I, you may be wondering? Well, perhaps making one of the biggest mistakes, or one of the most amazing carzy things, I have ever done. I showed up at Danas. I told her she couldnt marry Tonya. When she asked why, I had planned on saying because she killed your cat only it didnt come out like that.

Shane: What did it come out like? ( Shanes face a mess of confusion)

Alice: Well instead of telling her, I just decided to kiss her.

Shane: What?!?!

Alice: I know. I know. You think Im an idiot. Well, I thought so too, exceptDana kissed me back!

Shane: What?!?! I am so lost right now. I swear I stop paying attention for 2 hours and this is what happens?

Alice: Anyway, then Bette shows up here last night, looking for Tina. Now you know Bette. Strong, to the point of stoic at times. But not last night. She was a ***** mess Shane.

Shane: And she should be! Why would she do this?

Alice: Who knows. But she did and now I have pieces to try and put back together again. Its such a ***** mess.

Shane: And what about you?

Alice: What about me? I cant even think about me right now. I need to talk to Dana about, last night. But my brain is in hyper drive and until this stuff with Bette and Tina gets squared away, I cant even begin.

Shane: So whats the plan? I mean, I know you have one. So how can I help.

Alice: Thats the thing. I dont. I stayed up all night trying to come up with a way to make this all better, but I cant think of one. Bette really screwed this up. I think they need to talk, but I dont know if Tina is ready. And I dont want them to talk until I know that Bette is serious. That she really does want to fix this and that it wont happen again.

Alice took a deep breath. Feeling a little better that she could talk to Shane who was pretty much completely removed from the situation.

Shane: OK, so thats the plan. We get them together to talk through this. If something doesnt go the way we want it to go, we dont just give up. We cant. And you know as much as I do that Bette and Tina dont want to end this.

Alice nodded in agreement.

Shane: Now in order to complete this mission I need our number solider to get Her ***** together. SO, you handle what you need to with Dana. Then we will discuss how to do this. OK? Fair?

Alice: Fair enough. But, what do I do with Tina in the meantime?

Shane: Let her grieve. She needs time to think anyway, so does Bette. Let them sort things out in their own heads, while you sort things out Miss Fairbanks. Before she becomes Mrs. Fairbanks.

Alice: (frowning at the thought.) Youre right Shane. Im going to get Tina settled in. Then Ill call Dana. When all of that is taken care of, good or bad, Ill call you and we can figure this out.

Shane: (with a slight smile, knowing hopefully she helped her friend a little) NO doubt!

Shane turned and walked toward her truck.

Alice: Thanks.

Shane: (looking back over her shoulder) Anytime Al. We will figure this out. Good luck!

Alice smiled and walked back inside. She heard the water running in the bathroom and remembered Tina was in there. She collapsed on the couch and glared across the coffee table at her phone. With a deep breathe she grabbed the phone and began dialing Danas number.

Tonya: Hello, Mrs. And Mrs. Fairbanks residence.
Alice: (under her breathe) Oh god help Dana. (clearing her throat) Hey Tonya its Al.
Tonya: Well good morning friend. How are we this sunny beautiful day?
Alice: Umm, could be better. Im not sure if Dana told you about Bette and Tina?
Tonya: (feigning sadness) Oh yeah. That is awful. Although, between you and I, I never thought they were really right for each other. It amazes me they lasted this long.

Alice: Yeah well anyway, I need to talk to Dana is she around?

Tonya: Of course Al, hold on a second and Ill get her.

Alice: Thanks.
Alice was trying to be nice. She did the best she could but really, you cant expect miracles. She hated that girl.

Dana: Hey Al. Hows it going over there?

Alice: Umm, right now, its not going. But hopefully I can figure this out somehow.

Dana: We.

Alice: Huh?

Dana: We can figure this out. You and me. ( Danas voice trailed off)

Alice: oh, uh, yeah…we.

Dana: (realizing she caught Alice off guard) Ya know, and Shane and Kit, and everyone.

Alice: Yup all of us. ( sounding a little disappointed).

There was silence for what seemed like and eternity, but in reality was only a few seconds.

Alice: But before we do that, I think we really need to talk, about last night. Before the whole Bette and Tina thing, you know?

Dana: Oh yeah ( sounding very serious) Of course. Do you want me to meet you somewhere? The Plant maybe in an hour or so?

Alice: Yeah that would be fine. Ill see you then.

Dana: Oh Al, just so know, Im glad you stopped by last night.

Alice sighed with relief. She knew even if nothing came of this at least she didnt mess up her friendship with Dana.

Alice: Me too Dane.

The two hung up and Alice smiled from ear to ear.
Tina: Whats going on with you two?

Alice again not realizing Tina was behind her.

Alice: Umm, nothing. ( sounding as guilty as a child)

Tina: Al..

Alice: Nothing really. Dont worry about it. You have enough to think about right now.

Tina: Yes I do. But I always have time for my friends. Dont forget that. If you need to talk, Im still here.

Alice: Thanks Tee. But I have to head out for a little while. Will you be ok here alone?

Tina: Of course. You go and tend to your business. ( Tina smiling devilishly.)

Alice: Thanks I will.

Tina: I may need to you drop by Bettes later. If thats ok. Just to get some of my stuff.

Alice: No problem Tee. I need to talk to her anyway. And maybe you should consider doing the same.

Tina: Not yet, maybe not ever.

Tina walked away. Holding back tears that were so obviously fighting her to get through.

TBC