****

Alice is sitting at her desk, her ***** Friendster Who Fucked Who Chart looming behind her. A painful reminder that she hasn’t added any names connecting to hers in far too long. The cursor on the screen of her laptop blinks as if daring her to make it move. She’s blocked. How can she be blocked on an article about the Ten Best Day Spas in LA? She picks up the brochure for Brooks Baths and stares aimlessly at it.

“*****!” She says tossing down the brochure. “What is wrong with me?”

As if on cue her cellphone rings out, she picks it up and answers. “Hey Shane.”

“Hey Al. What’s up?” Shane’s ***** voice pours through the phone.

“Ya know, just a little writers block. Imagine that? Me, with nothing to say about something.”

“That is a little shocking.” Shane laughs.

Alice’s home phone sounds to life.

“*****, hang on, I hope that’s not work calling.” Alice searches the living room for her phone. When she finds it the Caller ID says Dana. She drops the phone back on to the couch and pushes a pillow over it.

“Aren’t you going to get that?” Shane finally asks.

“No, it’s Dana.” Alice can’t hide the sadness in her voice.

“Come on Al, talk to her.”

“I can’t Shane. I can’t listen to her talk about Lara. It… it makes me sick. Ugh. This is just so fucked up.” Alice drops herself heavily into her chair.

“I know, I know.” Shane tries her best to be comforting.

“I thought things were finally going to work out for us ya know. Dana finally dumped Tonya and I gave her time and space to deal with that. And then just when it seems like we are about ready to get together Lara shows up. What the ***** is that Shane? HUH?” Alice is trying not to cry.

“Look Al, I know this might not help right now but maybe this had to happen. You know? Cuz Lara was the first girl Dana really fell for. And the way that all went down there wasn’t any closure. Maybe Dana needs to do this as a test for herself.”

“She always said Lara was the one for her. This is it, I have no chance.” Alice drops her head into her hand.