Oh, so I get to be Aunt Alex?

Did you want to be something else?

I dont know, I think Id prefer to be the one that the kid calls when they get into trouble. Ill tell him or her stories about what their mom did as a child. They can blackmail you to get ungrounded.

Bette laughed. You wouldnt do that?

Oh yes, I would.

You are so lucky you never had any children.

Alex stood up and walked over to the window and began clearing her throat. She walked over to the bar and poured herself a scotch and soda with emphasis on the scotch. When she returned to her seat she said, yeah, good thing, huh.

Bette and Tina are many things, but total fools are not on the list. They could tell that Bettes comment had bothered Alex deeply.

Alex, what is going on here?

What do you mean?

With you, stop trying to bullshit the Queen of bullshit. What happened just now?

Nothing, I just needed to clear my throat and flex my knee a little. All of these years on cramped airplane seats have done ***** on my knee.

Bette knew that this was total *****, but she was unsure of whether to press the issue and risk another confrontation for not.

Look, Alex, weve been friends for a lot of years. I really hope that by now you can trust me enough to talk to me. Im not going to pressure, but I really wish that you would let me in just a little bit.

Thank, Betty. I appreciate it, but I wouldnt even know where to start.

Start wherever you need to start.

Really, guys, look I do appreciate it. Youve got your own lives to take care of and look after. Any problems that I might or might not have are just not that important.

Damn it, Alex, you are important. Youve been my best friend for more than 30 years. Why cant you see that makes you important? Just because weve both grown up and lived our lives doesnt mean that we still dont need each other. Nobody has a way of cutting through the B.S. and getting to the point like you do.