She does, doesnt she? Bette asked happily.

            Yeah, and ***** she looks like her sister, Alice commented.

            Seriously, Carmen continued.  Its uncanny.

            Is she *****? Dana asked.

            The rest of the table burst into laughter.  I dont think so, Bette laughed.  But you get to be the one to ask her.

            Try and keep up, would you, Dane? Shane chuckled, softly.

            What? Dana asked.

            Lara kissed Danas hand again.  Alice rolled her eyes.  Sometimes you ask inappropriate questions, baby, Lara explained.

            Yeah, just a little, Dana, Bette said sympathetically.  Tinas family stopped speaking to her when she came out to them, Carrie included.  I dont think Carries *****, just because she decided to come around.

            Ok, gosh, Dana said, exasperated.

            Bette just smiled and shook her head.

            Tina Kennard answered her cell phone.  Hello.

            Tina? Caroline asked.

            Yeah, Carrie, wow, you really are here, Tina laughed.

            Yep, I really am, Carrie confirmed.  Im on my way to LAX right now.

            Youre leaving? Tina asked, distressed.

            No, no, Carrie said, laughing.  Im on my way to pick up Danny.

            Hes here already? Tina asked, shocked.

            He took the first flight he could get, Tina, Carrie explained.

            Um, wow, ok  I, uh

            Tina, you dont have to see us tonight.  Why dont we start with breakfast tomorrow? Carrie asked, trying to take the pressure off.

            No, no, I want to see him.  Let me call Bette, but how about dinner tonight at our house? Tina offered.

            That sounds wonderful, Carrie said.  Call me after youve spoken to Bette.

            I will, Tina answered and hung up.

            A few minutes later, Carries cell phone lit up.  Tina, she said smiling.

            Be here at 8:30, she said and proceeded to give Carrie directions to her home from the Beverly Hills Hotel.

            I cant wait, Carrie answered and hung up the phone.

            Caroline called out to her brother as he deplaned.  Danny!  Danny Kennard!  She waved over her head and caught his attention.  A bright smile broke across his face.  That was one of the two things the Kennard siblings had in common, their smile.  The other was their eyes, brown and warm.  Danny was tall and muscular, exactly how a man should look if you asked their mother.  He had the same sandy blonde hair of his sisters, but his was clearly beginning to thin.  Hey, Carrie said happily as he approached.

            He dropped his bags and swept his sister into his arms.  Its so good to see you, he said as he swung her around.

            You too, old man, she answered as he set her down.  Is that all you have? she asked, looking at the carry-on.

            Yeah, he said.  Jessie has a ballet recital in three days.  I have to be back for it, but I couldnt not come out here, you know?

            Annie would have killed you, Carrie observed, thinking of how often Danny’s wife had begged him to call Tina.

            Eviscerated me, actually, Danny corrected.

            Carrie sighed.  Um, were having dinner at her house at 8:30.  Are you ready for this?

            Absolutely not, he answered with a shaky voice.  But we have to start somewhere.

            Carrie took her brothers hand and threaded their fingers together.  Lets go.  We have some groveling to do.