“Um, I thinkno.”

Gabby leaned in towards Alice, “You can bring that tennis player of yours.”

The sarcasm dripped from Alice‘s lips, “Yeah, sure.”

Gabby raised an eyebrow, “You don’t think she’d go?”

“Who Dana?  Pah.  That’s like bringing you to a tennis match.”

“Care to wager on this.  I think she’ll go.”

“Alright.  I’ll go with you.  I’ll ask Dana later, but I’ll go.”

“It’ll be fun, Alice.  Just like ol’ times.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Alice muttered under her breath. 

“You know what you need?  A nice, large alcoholic beverage to ease your nerves.  I’ll even make you one.”

“Whatever.” 

Gabby patted Alice‘s knee as she walked passed.  Alice‘s knee jerked instinctively.   “Hmm.  I still have that effect on you.  It wouldn’t hurt you to not hold your friends in such high esteem.”

“What?”

“I’m just staying, it’s not healthy.  Putting people on pedestals only puts them out of reach.”

Alice furrowed her brows in thought, “You totally lost me at the word ‘friends.’”

“Don’t say I never cared for you.  I know you like talking trash about me.  I’m not that bad, Alice.  I just don’t trust anyone but myself.  Maybe you don’t think of me as your ‘friend,’ but tell me we don’t understand each other.  Shouldn’t that count for something?”

“Maybe too long that I’ve dealt with your bullshit, Gabby.  What do you want?”

“This doesn’t sound like you.  Are your friends feeding you lines to tell me again?  Alice, you don’t want me to be your enemy.  The truth is, I’m the one that always comes back.  Somehow that must make me at least loyal to some degree.  Remember that.  Do you still like your blow jobs?”

Alice coughed, “My what?”

“Shots.  Kahlua, whipped cream.  Ring any bells?”

“Oh, yeah.  Blow jobsgreat.”

“How’s that mental health of yours these days?  I heard you flew over the cuckoo’s nest.”             Alice shot her a nasty look, “I’m fine.”

“Glad to hear it.  It would have been a shame for you to turn into some psycho.  Surprisingly, you’re pretty normal.”             “Thanksfor the compliment.”

Gabby finished preparing the shots.  She handed one to Alice, “Tous.”

“To us.” 

Dana arrived at the apartment.   She threw her bag in the corner and took off her sneakers.