Lara bit her lip, hurt by Alice’s accusation.  She rolled over slowly and pushed herself up as well. “I didn’t exactly have a choice,” she returned quietly.

            Alice asked with a hint of anger at her voice, “What was that?”  She turned to face Lara, who was brushing hair from her face and taking a deep breath. 

            “I said that I didn’t really have a choice.”  Lara answered evenly then charged Alice, bumping her so hard that she staggered several feet back, but managed to keep her footing.

            The two women regarded each other with stony expressions.  Alice broke the silence with a snort, “I don’t recall anyone forcing you onto the plane at gunpoint.  Or enrolling you into a year-long program six thousand miles from home.  That pretty much denotes intent and planning…not to mention choice.”

            Lara shook her head; anger flaring at the notion that Alice thought she had abandoned her relationships.  “What exactly was keeping me tied to LA, Alice?  Tell me, ’cause I’d really like to know your opinion on that!”  She took a breath and continued, “There wasn’t exactly anyone begging me to stay, as I recall.” Throwing a glance over her shoulder towards Papi she added, “From what I hear, you’ve moved on just fine.”

            Alice was thrown off balance by Lara’s last comment and she couldn’t help but dart a puzzled glance in Papi’s direction.  Nonetheless, she was baited into snapping a hurtful reply, “What—you wanted an engraved invitation to stick around?  God, Lara, you weren’t the only one grieving, you know.  Things weren’t exactly rosy for any of us either- but we worked through it- together.” 

            Lara felt a sudden heat flush her face.  She struggled to maintain an even voice.  “This wasn’t a good idea.”  She began to yank at the suit in an effort to get it off.  “I need to get back to the kitchen.”

            Alice jeered, “That’s right- you should, because that’s what you do best, isn’t it?  Get going when things get tough.”  She was silent for a moment, as she watched Lara fight with the zipper on the suit.  She waddled forward and said quietly, “Here, let me help.  If you’re so determined to run, let me at least help you this time.”